The 11 Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Renters

Although it may be hard to believe, Los Angeles is akin to a small country. In fact, Los Angeles County comprises 88 cities and more than 400 neighborhoods! Incredible or what? There’s more. Whether you’re looking for a slice of nature, a walkable community, delectable food, or traces of culture, each locale is different, so there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences!

LA is an inclusive city, one that has a sense of belonging. While going over 400 neighborhoods isn’t feasible, it seems easier and worth your time to look at a few of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Complete guide to the 11 best Los Angeles neighborhoods:

1. Los Feliz

Located in the southern part of Griffith Park, Los Feliz is a pleasant neighborhood with a casual, hipster vibe. The community is pretty walkable, so exploring the area becomes easier and more enjoyable. Find the time to walk around the neighborhood and take in the sights and sounds - the old homes, the sheltered streets, the ancient movie theater, and the list goes on.

Los Feliz has a deeper connection with the entertainment industry. Many people may also not be aware that Mickey Mouse’s character was conceived right here!

The area offers residents and visitors a multitude of shops selling assorted items, diners, boutiques, bars, and the like. Most of the action is centered around Hillhurst and Vermont Avenues. It also has some excellent restaurants, Thai Town, being one of them.

If you’re a foodie, this is where you belong! Other equally great eateries include La Pergoletta and II Capriccio on Vermont for authentic Italian cuisine. If Asian cuisine’s what you’re looking for, drop by Starfish Sushi and Pho VT Vietnamese and Thai Kitchen.

Some of the area’s key attractions include Griffith Park, which is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, so spend some time hiking here. At the Griffith Observatory, you can while away a couple of hours watching the stars in space.

2. West Hollywood

West Hollywood, or WeHo, is home to LA’s LGBTQIA+ community, and therefore an inclusive neighborhood. The area is spread over two square miles and is walkable. WeHo also houses Sunset Strip, renowned for its nightlife, and Chateau Marmont, a hotel noted for its celebrity client list!

The area has a thriving nightlife, apart from its many galleries, juice bars, yoga studios, and cafes. There’s also a ton of shopping options for those who aren’t bothered about where they shop! WeHo is famous for its bars and dining options that are on par with global standards.

Among its many fantastic restaurants, there’s SUR Restaurant & Lounge. For drinks, drop by The Abbey, which also happens to be a great place for dancing if you wish to let your hair down.

Not in the mood to cook or eat at home? Head over to Hamburger Mary’s or Ivory on Sunset Boulevard, with unlimited drinks, so you can eat and drink till you explode! In fact, at Ivory’s, you can find the best bottomless brunch in the city.

The community offers multiple parks, green spaces, and options for hiking. Runyon Canyon is one of its famed hiking spots. Landmarks worth visiting include Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Capitol Records Building.

3. Silver Lake

Silver Lake is considered amongst the best Los Angeles neighborhoods for hipsters or those who believe in following their own rules and living life as they see fit. But you may also find young adults from varied backgrounds and a sense of community. In other words, it’s a diverse neighborhood and it makes complete sense to look for a good quality roommate in this area. In addition, the area is beautiful and surrounded by plenty of greenery.

Silver Lake is a peaceful community housing hip cafes, small coffee shops, and restaurants serving delectable dishes. The community was set up around Silver Lake, a reservoir built in the early part of the 20th century. The park encompassing the area has several walking and biking paths, so commuting to and from places isn’t a hassle.

The area’s dominated by locally-owned businesses, shops, music locales, and so on. Silver Lake has some fantastic dining options. Some of its eateries include Night + Market Song for Thai street food, Freedman’s Deli, and WOOD Silver Lake Pizza & Pasta.

You definitely shouldn’t miss the unforgettable coffee at Intelligentsia, a place very much in demand. Customers queue up just for a cup of joe. What about drinks? Well, Red Lion Tavern, with its rooftop beer garden, is your place. The Sunset Strip runs through Silver Lake, so residents can make the most of the nightlife options here.

The neighborhood has plenty of popular attractions for residents and visitors alike. The Silver Lake Reservoir has a trail that goes around the lake and is over two miles in length. Makes it ideal for running and walking.

If you have an obedient pet, you can bring them along for a nice stroll. Let’s not forget that there’s also a Silver Lake Dog Park for your fur babies! Check out Los Globos, a nightclub that runs several music events before heading over to the Greek Theater for outdoor concerts.

In a word, parking and traffic problems are far lower in this part of the city. So, it’s pretty easy to reach the city’s center, downtown, apart from other areas such as Hollywood, Echo Park, and Angelino Heights. If you are looking to rent a room in Los Angeles, Salt Lake is the place to go.

4. Echo Park

In the southern part of Silver Lake, you’ll find Echo Park, a gorgeous neighborhood set around a lake with green spaces aplenty. It’s also a reasonably-priced area. Echo’s Park location makes it a perfect place to live and you can also find a perfect house for rent in LA within your budget easily here. It’s a stone’s throw away from popular spots such as Chinatown, Los Feliz, and Downtown LA.

If walking is your thing, you’ll find numerous walking and biking paths here, making it the perfect place for fitness enthusiasts. You’ll also come across plenty of food trucks, independent music venues, and happening bars in the community. So, with some delectable food and drink and soulful music, your day’s well spent! Echo Park’s known for its booming nightlife scene too, so for those who live for partying and clubbing, carry on!

Are there places to see? Of course, there are! If you’re into sports, head over to Dodger Stadium and watch a Dodgers game. Echo Park Lake and Elysian Park area are places you could also check out if you’re in the mood for outdoor activities.

5. Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a stunning upscale neighborhood and the ideal destination for those who love sand and water. If you wish to live in a beachfront property with amenities aplenty or in a 4 bedroom house for rent, you’re in the right place!

Interestingly, although it’s considered a neighborhood, it’s more of a city than anything else. The multiple neighborhoods in the area seem more like beach towns meant for surfers and beach lovers. It’s a fairly walkable neighborhood and among the top school districts in Los Angeles. So, the area is a perfect fit for families.

Santa Monica is also referred to as the “Silicon Beach” because of its lucrative tech industry. So, those searching for better tech jobs will find ample opportunities here and it’s easier to find a roommate here. You can go through our ultimate guide for living with roommates before moving in with roommates.

There are plenty of shopping and dining options available here. Santa Monica Pier is a top attraction that you should consider exploring.

The community’s location is far from ideal, so it may be challenging to travel to and from LA, with traffic being a constant source of stress. Temperatures tend to drop, thanks to the Pacific Ocean, so the weather is cooler than surrounding places, and the air you breathe is unpolluted.

6. Downtown LA

The area, which was once a bunch of deserted buildings and homes, has undergone a sea change over the past decade. Downtown LA or DTLA’s not-so-reputable Skid Row, a community, has had the country’s highest number of homeless people. However, the downtown you see today is a thriving center for arts and design, with plenty of renovated apartments. Make sure you find a perfect tenant if you are planning to rent out your property here as there are many homeless people searching for a house.

With skyscrapers galore and a subway system, the area exhibits the kind of energy you’re likely to find in New York City. Also, the area’s walkable and people prefer reaching places on foot as opposed to driving cars.

Downtown LA is home to fantastic restaurants as well as entertainment options, such as nightclubs and shopping centers. Bavel is among the top eateries in the city, serving Middle Eastern cuisine comprising an array of shawarmas and hummus. Then there’s Broken Spanish for Mexican dishes and last but not least, we have the Grand Central Market. Here, you’ll find a range of stalls offering varied food items to cater to different taste buds. The top bar in LA, Broken Shaker, has a rooftop pool and bar for you to savor.

Some of the area’s top attractions include the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Arts District, Little Tokyo, and the Los Angeles River. If you’re up for it, you could also check out the Bradbury Building, constructed in the late 19th century, and the Angels Flight Railway.

A downside of the neighborhood is that it’s not safe during the night hours, so do all your sightseeing during the morning and afternoon hours.

7. Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is a gorgeous area for the rich and the famous. Many Hollywood actors and actresses live in this neighborhood, making it one of the priciest communities in the city! It’s a quiet area with some excellent schools, so families can consider finding a home here if they can afford the rent or the mortgage!

Home to the renowned Rodeo Drive, you’ll find some top-level designer brands being sold at boutiques that line the area. The streets are dotted with plenty of palm trees that add to its beauty and appeal. You might just get lucky and run into a celebrity here!

For places to visit, explore the Beverly Gardens Park and spend some time among its sculptures and specialty gardens. Other notable spots include the Farmer’s Market and museums, such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Getty Center.

8. Culver City

With a history in movie-making, it’s a friendly and pleasant neighborhood, exhibiting a casual vibe. It’s fascinating to know that the area houses the famed MGM studios and plenty of soundstages from movies and shows that we’ve been watching our whole lives! Of late, Culver City has witnessed the entry of many young families and professionals. Anyone looking to live in this neighborhood should know that the community isn’t a pricey one.

The community houses cocktail bars, gastropubs, and several other places of interest. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, a place with several hiking trails, landscaped spaces, and a fishing lake, is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. So, if you’re the outdoorsy type, explore the area without further ado! It also has a community center and places for kids to have fun.

Helms Bakery complex is another hangout spot for book lovers, photographers, or those interested in photography, and fashionistas.

For those who aren’t into adventure, there’s Platform, a mall with everything one could ask for, from restaurants to bars to boutiques to spas! Feeling exhausted? Head over to a spa for a nice long massage! A massage might boost your appetite, so head over to Loqui for lip-smacking Mexican cuisine. For cocktails and incredible rooftop vistas, spend some quality time at Margot. In case you’re looking for more entertainment options, pop by DTLA, which is close by.

9. Glendale

Glendale is dominated by Armenian folks who call LA their home. It’s a diversified neighborhood where people look out for each other. The area’s great for families looking for 5 bedroom house for rent, although property prices may be high.

The community houses numerous parks, Griffith Park being one among them. Spread over 4200 acres, the park is perfect for picnics with friends and family. It also has the honor of being the biggest park in America, with urban wilderness areas galore! Residents and visitors go hiking and explore the wildlife in the area, so consider spending a day in the lap of nature; it could be therapeutic. Glendale also provides majestic views of the Verdugo Mountains.

The locale’s well-known for its Middle Eastern cuisine. Some of its fabulous restaurants are Raffi’s Place and Skaf’s Lebanese Cuisine. Mini Kabob outdoes all these places with some of the most amazing kebabs and salads in the city!

If you wish to head downtown for more fun things to do, you don’t have to travel too long since DTLA’s just half an hour from the neighborhood.

10. Hollywood

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Hollywood? Movies, of course! The stories that we’ve seen coming to life on screen, with roles played by some of our favorite actors and actresses, have been shot here! Should you be interested in making it big in the entertainment industry, we don’t need to tell you where you need to be.

Also, it may surprise you to know that Hollywood doesn't consist of only one neighborhood, but a series of them. Each one is unique, although (terrible) traffic and the movie industry are two things that bind them all together. Some of the communities that make up Hollywood include Bel-Air, Central Hollywood, North Hollywood, South Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills.

A common misconception surrounding the area is that only celebrities live here. That’s anything but true. People who have no connection to the movie industry also have homes here and obviously, the money to afford them!

If clubbing and partying fall into your list of fun activities, head over to the Sunset Strip. Shopaholics must pay Rodeo Drive a visit and shop till they drop, that is, if they have the necessary bank balance!

In case you're in the mood for some good food, as we all often are, Hollywood doesn’t disappoint. Restaurants serving some of the finest cuisines include Spago, owned by celebrity chef and restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck. If you want nothing but comfort food, you can always drop by Vicious Dogs or Pinks for some delicious hot dogs.

Last but not least, places worth your while include the Dolby Theater, the locale for the Academy Awards show for the past 20 years. Explore the Chinese Theater, a movie venue on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood Boulevard, and the world-renowned Madame Tussauds, a wax museum on Hollywood Boulevard.

11. Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks is a peaceful neighborhood with a suburban vibe, in the center of San Fernando Valley. It’s ideal for young families and people who wish to stay away from the commotion of LA.

The area has plenty of recreational opportunities for residents and guests. For instance, Galleria, an outdoor mall, offers everything from mouth-watering food to fabulous bars to shopping facilities! Ventura Boulevard is where all the action is, so you don’t have to look very hard to find what you’re looking for.

You’ll come across high-end cocktail bars, pizza places, and multiple shopping stores here. Since many of us live to eat, some restaurants worth checking out include Bamboo for amazing Chinese food, On the Thirty, an excellent bar serving gourmet dishes, and The Attic, a cocktail bar accompanied by an outdoor patio.

Overall, Sherman Oaks is a reasonably-priced neighborhood, but the travel to and from the city may pose a challenge.

Conclusion

So, do any of these neighborhoods appeal to your requirements and preferences? We certainly hope so! Should you want to move to LA, whether it’s to look for better work opportunities, get away from a problem, or settle down, with or without family, it’s your decision. However, do remember that in a city as enormous as LA, there’s nothing you can’t find among all that it has to offer, professionally and personally!