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Best Neighborhoods to Live in LA - Los Ángeles

Updated: Jul 15, 2022

Los Angeles is a multicultural city that is home to different types and styles of life, considered the second largest city in the United States and one of the first to offer different opportunities and qualities of life. California offers different living experiences depending on the neighborhood you live in. Ideal for investing or living in real estate, common factors people consider when choosing where to invest include amenities, tourism, quality of life, crime rates, among others.


1. Santa Mónica

With a population of about 95 thousand inhabitants, in Santa Monica you can have the perfect combination between a beach lifestyle and a bustling cosmopolitan city. The nightlife is very lively, but if you need more atmosphere you can always take the car and be in Los Angeles in less than an hour. This area has an urban feel with plenty of things for people to enjoy in their free time. Despite the urban feel, there are also some beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. It is a good area for families as the public schools in the area are exceptional. Santa Monica also scores high in job opportunities, transportation connections and diversity.


Santa Monica is a waterfront district of Los Angeles and, in fact, a Pacific Coast city that has its own identity and very different entertainment offerings than downtown Los Angeles. It is also one of many people's favorite places to stay in Los Angeles.


If you have children and are concerned about their education, you should know that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is nationally recognized for its educational excellence. Likewise, the private schools and colleges also excel at teaching.


The Santa Monica Pier is a key site on any visit to the area. On site, you must see the Santa Monica Pier with its Ferris wheel. There is also an aquarium, a carousel at the former Loof Racetrack and movie theaters for one-time events.


The sunsets over the sea from the pier are part of the iconographic heritage of this place. On the avenue, there is the Original Muscle Beach. An area where professional and amateur gymnasts exercise in the open air and for the enjoyment of a public gathered here spontaneously.


2. Bel-Air

Bel-Air is a luxurious residential enclave in the verdant foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Two majestic gateways facing Sunset Boulevard lead to winding streets lined with luxurious mansions on large, lushly landscaped estates. Today, Bel Air is a quiet residential neighborhood that is home to luxurious estates where endless plots of land wrap around impressive mansions.


Bel Air has little tourist interest, is popular with celebrities and the entertainment industry elite, the neighborhood is home to the iconic Bel-Air Hotel, a former luxury hideaway, and the exclusive Bel-Air Country Club.Bel-Air is an upscale residential neighborhood in Los Angeles, located about 19 miles west of downtown. The elegant community was founded by Alphonzo E. Bell in 1923 and was part of the so-called "Golden Triangle" along with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills.


Bel-Air is home to the most luxurious mansions in the area, with properties that can reach several million dollars.


Many celebrities live in Bel-Air, such as Shakira, Thalia, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Aniston or Elon Musk.


3. Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills has a lot to offer, Beverly Hills is one of the most expensive areas in the world. Located in Los Angeles, this city is the residence of many celebrities, wealthy people, many retirees and high income earners. According to Thrillist, it is a beautiful area to live in with low crime rates. It offers residents a fantastic lifestyle, as it is known as an excellent area for shopping and is also home to some of the best restaurants in California.


It is famous for its Rodeo Drive avenue, for its exclusive stores, but also for its landscaped mansions with luxuries that are on another level, monetarily and aesthetically.

4. Hollywood

Hollywood is the most famous district in Los Angeles because it is home to the former headquarters of the most famous movie studios in the United States. But also because it is home to unique sets related to that industry.


Since time immemorial, it has attracted tourists with landmarks such as the TCL Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame. Other attractions include Paramount Pictures, historic music venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscar ceremony is held. Modern audiences can choose from improv comedy clubs, retro bars and exclusive nightclubs. Residents often visit the restaurants in nearby Thai Town. This area is ideal for those who want to live close to the industry or want to invest in real estate for seasonal rentals.


Hollywood is one of the best areas to live in Los Angeles. It is very safe both day and night, it is well served by public transportation with good subway connections, it is lively at all hours, its nightlife is among the best in the city and there is always something to do.

5. West Hollywood

Westwood Village is a residential and commercial area located west of Los Angeles and between Santa Monica and downtown. Westwood is known for being the home of the University of Los Angeles (UCLA). It is a district of the city of Los Angeles that has its own identity. It is famous for its unique one-story houses, its original aesthetic bars, its music venues and its parks and gardens.


Gardens such as the impressive Greystone Mansion, a French-style mansion that is the scene of events. It is also advisable to visit West Hollywood Park, at 647 North San Vicente Boulevard, especially if you want to enjoy a picnic with family or friends in a green and quiet environment.


A designer's dream, where there are stores, architecture and style West Hollywood has been dubbed "The Creative City," and for good reason. Bordering Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, West Hollywood (West Hollywood or "WeHo") is where fashion and the arts reign supreme; easy to see as you walk the streets of the area's Design District. This cutting-edge area includes galleries and the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue, and interior design showrooms on Beverly Boulevard. Shop at the best boutiques (and keep an eye out for celebrities and stars) along elegant Robertson Boulevard.

6. Manhattan Beach

Although Manhattan Beach is one of the most expensive areas in Los Angeles to live in, renting and buying property is expensive and the cost of living is high. However, it is well worth the cost to live in an area that is one of the safest in the city and has excellent public schools. The coastal location and exceptional beach with many activities are also an attraction. People who desire a busy lifestyle are attracted to the area because there are many bars, restaurants and leisure activities in Manhattan Beach.


7. Newport Beach

Newport Beach is surrounded by the Pacific coast of the United States, suitable for people who want to live as close to the beach as possible, Newport Beach has a population of about 90,000 and the atmosphere is a mix of suburban and urban. The demographics of this area are diverse and attract families, young professionals and retirees alike. This is because the area has characteristics that appeal to each of these groups of people. The surroundings are pleasant, there are many amenities, and crime rates are relatively low. There are also good leisure options, job opportunities and transportation connections.


Newport Beach enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the country, as shown in The O.C. series. The city also hosts major social and sporting events, such as the Toshiba Open golf tournament, and is home to the country's celebrities and wealthy families. According to Sections magazine, Newport Beach is the most exclusive social area in Orange.


8. Irvine

Like many areas of Los Angeles, the cost of living and housing prices are high in Irvine. With more than 200,000 jobs available in the city, Irvine has almost as many jobs as residents. The largest employer is the University of California at Irvine. But even with such a favorable job market, it's hard to afford to buy a home there, as they are among the most expensive in Orange County. A single-family home costs at least $750,000, but most exceed $1 million. This is often the price people must pay to live in the most desirable areas of a city. Despite these costs, there are many other reasons to consider living in Irvine. For example, there are highly rated public schools, it is a family friendly area, crime rates are low, there are reasonable employment opportunities, transportation connections are good, it is a diverse area, and there are outdoor activities and a vibrant nightlife for Irvine residents to enjoy.

9. Downtown LA

Downtown Los Angeles is a well-kept area of the city with many options to enjoy culture and leisure. It is a business area, once somewhat dull, but in recent times has seen the emergence of a very interesting gastronomic scene, as well as new options for nightlife.


Downtown is the perfect place to live in Los Angeles if you are looking to be close to the city's main attractions and well connected. Downtown Los Angeles is home to the 7th Street bus station, which allows you to connect to the subway and local and interstate bus lines.


Also note that lodging is much more affordable than in other areas such as Beverly Hills or Hollywood.


10. Venice Beach

Another option for living in Los Angeles is Venice Beach. It is a residential area located west of the city on the coast and 28 kilometers from downtown and south of Santa Monica. Ocean Front Walk is the name of its long and famous four-kilometer-long boardwalk.


The environment of this district is traversed by a series of navigable canals, the Venice Canals, which are, in themselves, a tourist attraction. On both sides of the canals, there are beautiful beach houses and boat and kayak excursions are available.


Another leisure option is to stroll through the area on marked trails and cross the arched bridges from stretch to stretch. Another charming place to enjoy outdoor activities is the Venice Boardwalk, a promenade that comes from the southern end of Santa Monica Beach and has along its route areas for bicycles, space for skating and courts where you can play volleyball or basketball.


And, finally, an area in which to shop, in one of the most expensive areas of Venice Beach, is Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The best boutiques, bars, restaurants and art galleries in Venice Beach.

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