Which is the best place to live in Los Angeles? Some will say Santa Monica for its proximity to the beach, while others will go for Downtown LA (DTLA) because it’s in the heart of the city. Yet, are they right for you? To help you figure this out, we’ve found the top 7 best neighborhoods in Los Angeles based on their:

• Environment (places to relax, entertainment options, and closeness to amenities).
• Quality of life (sense of community, access to parks and hiking trails).
• Livability (rental price, safety, public transportation, and walkability)

By the end of the article, we bet you’ll be ready to explore homes for rent in Los Angeles and start your new life as an Angeleno.

Best neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is full of gorgeous areas to live in. Whether you're looking for seaside views or the urban jungle, LA has a neighborhood for you. Here's a round up of the 7 best areas to live in Los Angeles:

1. Los Feliz
2. Culver City
3. Downtown LA
4. Silverlake
5. West Hollywood
6. Larchmont Village
7. Santa Monica

Let's breakdown what makes them the best and help you choose the perfect one for you.

1. Los Feliz

• Neighborhood vibe: Charming, panoramic views, diverse culinary culture
• Average rent: $2,034
• Transportation: Only 17 minutes away by car from Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) via the 5 freeway. Buses 180 and 182, and subway line B.
• Perfect for: Young adults and families

Home to one of America’s largest parks (Griffith Park), Los Feliz is one of the nicest parts of Los Angeles to live in. Here, you find charming cafes and restaurants, panoramic hiking trails, and a rich culinary culture. Another reason to move to LA's charming neighborhood is the easy access to the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, and unique residential architecture.

Your neighbors in Los Feliz are families and young adults as it has excellent schools (Ivanhoe Elementary, Thomas Star King Middle School, John Marshall High School, etc.) and it's close to LA hotspots.

Los Feliz is a safe hillside neighborhood with a relatively affordable rent. You can rent a private room for around $1,100 or a studio for an average of $1,900 monthly. If you’re looking for an apartment, your monthly rent will be between $2,500 (1 bedroom) and $3,238 (2 bedroom).

2. Culver City

• Neighborhood vibe: Up-and-coming, foodie paradise, residential, but still feels like LA.
• Average rent: $2,218
• Transportation: The best way to get around is by walking, as traffic during rush hours can be hectic. You can rely on freeway 405 and buses 33, CC1—CC7 (Culver City bus).
• Perfect for: Young adults and young families

Culver City has the perfect location—in between Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and DTLA, ranking it high on the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles list. Living in Culver City, you get a balance of urban and suburban.

This nice neighborhood in LA is home to scenic parks (Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook), an array of restaurants and cafes, farmers markets (every Tuesday), and the old Sony Pictures Studio. Culver City’s tight-knit community organizes plenty of events and festivals every year. Culver City is one of the safest suburbs to stay in Los Angeles.

Culver City’s location and higher level of safety come with higher rental prices. Private rooms cost between $1,500 and $1,800 monthly. If you want to live by yourself, you can rent a studio for around $2,090 monthly or an apartment with a monthly rent ranging between $2,414 (1 bedroom) and $3,095 (2 bedroom).

3. Downtown LA

• Neighborhood vibe: Urban, dynamic, central
• Average rent: $2,152
• Transportation: Walkability is excellent but traffic can be heavy. Several metro lines (Red, Purple, Gold, and A-line) and buses (plus DASH) run through DTLA and 10, 60, and 110 freeways.
• Perfect for: Young adults and students

Downtown LA is another of the best places to live in Los Angeles. It’s the best neighborhood in LA for those who want to be at the heart of the city, prefer the urban lifestyle, and don’t mind the hustle and bustle.

There’s plenty to do in DTLA with its excellent nightlife, trendy cafes and busy shopping streets. This neighborhood is also the home of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grand Central Market, and the Grand Park. DTLA has a higher crime rate, but you shouldn't be too worried if you avoid areas like Skid Row and Chinatown (at night).

It’s a good place to live in LA for young adults or students as plenty of office buildings and universities are within easy reach.

Depending on which area of DTLA you live in, your rent can be expensive (especially in the Fashion and Financial districts). On average, you should budget between $1,250 and $1,750 for a room in an existing share. Studios in DTLA are with an average rent of $2,396 monthly, whereas apartments range between $2,810 (1 bedroom) and $4,052 (2 bedroom).

4. Silverlake

• Neighborhood vibe: Trendy, walkable, community-orientated
• Average rent: $2,159
• Transportation: Freeways 2, 5, and 101 (only 30 mins by car from both DTLA and Malibu), and buses (2/302 and 4) and subway B-line
• Perfect for: Young adults and couples with young kids

Tucked between Echo Park and Loz Feliz, Silver Lake has earned its place as one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. With its boutique shops, street murals, and restaurants with leafy outdoor patios along Silver Lake Boulevard, it’s no surprise that everyone wants to live in this LA neighborhood. Here, you won’t find restaurant chains because the residents strongly emphasize supporting local businesses.

The area is named after the Silver Lake Reservoir, favored by locals for picnics, jogging, and taking your dog for a walk. The excellent elementary schools, farmer’s markets, and artisanal cafes have given it the reputation as the neighborhood where young couples move once they have children.

Living in Silver Lake, you should expect an average monthly rent of $1,500 for a private room and $2,041 for a studio. If you opt for an apartment, you can expect monthly rent ranging between $2,441 (1 bedroom) and $3,952 (2-bedroom).

5. West Hollywood

• Neighborhood vibe: Late nights, upscale vibe, creative energy
• Average rent: $2,323
• Transportation: Traffic can be heavy around Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Blvd. Very walkable with plenty of public transport options: Cityline, PickUp Line, buses 10/48, 16, and 105.
• Perfect for: Families, young adults, students

West Hollywood (or WeHo) is one of the most dynamic and vibrant places to live in Los Angeles. Spanning between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, WeHo is the best neighborhood in Los Angeles if you’re looking for excitement, fantastic dining, and art surrounding you.

West Hollywood is the home to the Runyon Canyon, which has one of the most picturesque hiking trails in the city. Regardless of whether you want to visit a museum, grab a bite, or party until the morning, WeHo is the place for you.

WeHo’s excellent schools, plenty of job opportunities, and proximity to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), this's one of the best areas to live for families, young adults, and students.

Renting in WeHo is expensive. Private rooms cost between $1,350 and $1,850 monthly, whereas renting a studio is around $2,489. Living in an apartment comes with a monthly rent between $3,290 (1 bedroom) and $5,098 (2 bedroom).

6. Larchmont Village

• Neighborhood vibe: Small-town vibe, affordable, central
• Median rent: $2,023
• Transportation: Walkable neighborhood with easy access to the 101 and the 10 freeway, and buses (10/48, 207, and DASH), and subway (B-line).
• Perfect for: Young adults, families

Larchmont, a true hidden gem, is one of LA's best places to live. Bordering Hollywood and Beverly Boulevard, Larchmont is centrally located, affordable, and safe.

With its small-town charm, Larchmont is the home of a diverse community, an excellent farmer’s market, Robert Burns Park, and Chevalier’s Books (LA’s oldest independent bookstore). Larchmont is the best place to live in Los Angeles if you want to feel like a true LA native.

Families would be delighted to know that there are plenty of public and private schools in the neighborhood (Van Ness Avenue Elementary, Page Private School, John Burroughs Middle School, etc.).

Larchmont is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles. You can rent a private room between $1,330 and $1,450 monthly. Monthly rent is slightly higher for studios, with an average rent of $1,550. Apartments give you more space for a higher price, between $1,984 (1 bedroom) and $4,263 (2 bedroom).

7. Santa Monica

• Neighborhood vibe: Real-life postcard, expensive, beachy
• Average rent: $2,416
• Transportation: Traffic and parking can be a struggle, so opt for the metro E-line, the Big Blue Bus, or the Santa Monica Circuit.
• Suitable for: Young adults, families

One of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Santa Monica is ideal for those who want to live next to the beach and don’t mind the tourist crowds too much. The neighborhood is close to big tech companies (e.g Yahoo!) and has fantastic weather all year round.

In Santa Monica, you can shop at 4 different farmer’s markets every week, or ride the attractions at the Santa Monica Pier anytime you want. Overall, Santa Monica is popular with young adults and families looking for a more laid-back area to live in that isn’t too far from the city.

Renting a room in Santa Monica is relatively affordable, with monthly rents between $820 and $1,500, depending on where you live. But studios with monthly rent on average $2,888, and apartments, ranging between $3,196 (1 bedroom) and $5,481 (2 bedroom), will drive up your cost of living in Los Angeles.

What is the best area in Los Angeles to live in?

The best area to live in Los Angeles is Silverlake if you're looking for a trendy and walkable neighborhood. It's the perfect neighborhood for people in their 20s. Los Feliz is also another neighborhood perfect for young adults, especially those planning on starting a family.

If you want to live in the centre of the action Downtown LA or West Hollywood are the best areas to live in Los Angeles. They're cultural and business hubs so you'll never be bored there.

Santa Monica offers the most picturesque scenery out of the areas on our list and it's perfect for families. Culver City and Larchmont village are also perfect for families, with Larchmont village being one of the most affordable neighborhoods to live in LA.

So, there you have it, the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles. We’re sure that by now you can tell which area fits your vibe the best and are ready to explore homes for rent in Los Angeles. Good luck!