Best Neighborhoods in LA: The CubeSmart Moving Guide

Is LA calling you? Check out the 5 best neighborhoods to live.
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Home to 12.5 million people from all walks of life, Los Angeles continues to draw both the young and young at heart to its shores and streets each year. If moving to Los Angeles is on your list for 2023, you’re probably already aware of all of the great scenery, weather, live music, job opportunities, outdoor activities, and more that this iconic California city offers its residents. What you might not be aware of are the best neighborhoods in LA in which to start your new home search.

To help narrow down the options, we’ve pulled together (a totally subjective) list of the 5 best LA neighborhoods. Of course, living in Los Angeles appeals to a wide variety of individuals and families looking for a wide variety of features. What we think are the “best” areas in town may not even make your shortlist. Not to worry, we’ve included a list of other articles to check out in our Moving to Los Angeles FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Without further ado, here is our take on the 5 best LA neighborhoods to move to in 2023 – from city streets to suburban oases to sandy beaches.

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Best LA Neighborhoods: Los Feliz

Cozy Los Feliz (pronounced “Los Fee-luss”) is an eclectic, centrally located LA neighborhood on the southern side of Griffith Park. A quick ride into downtown LA and Hollywood, Los Feliz also attracts live music aficionados thanks to its proximity to the Greek Theatre (or “The Greek,” as Angelinos call it). One of the most interesting aspects of the neighborhood is its diversity, with nearly 50% of residents hailing from foreign countries including Armenia (25%) and Mexico (10%).

Best LA Neighborhoods: Santa Monica

Take in the sights of the Santa Monica Pier.
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Santa Monica is one of the most sought-after areas in LA thanks to its famous pier, busy downtown area, access to public transport, and 3.5 miles of sandy beaches. Tech companies like Hulu and Snapchat are headquartered in the area, which also draws young professionals, families, and retirees for its near-perfect climate and endless array of restaurants and coffee shops. While the cost of living in Santa Monica is definitely not cheap, its known for its strict rent control laws, which apply to about 70% of the rental housing market.

Best LA Neighborhoods: West Hollywood

If you’re moving to LA this year, West Hollywood (or WeHo) is a pleasant, walkable, and relatively affordable place to land. Known for its entertainment, nightlife, and dining options, WeHo is also very community-focused and is considered by many to have the best LGBTQIA+ scene in the city. There are several apartment rentals on the market in West Hollywood, but they can skew towards the expensive so be sure to take your time to shop around.

Best LA Neighborhoods: Marina del Rey

Marina Del Rey is a lifestyle.
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As the largest man-made marina in the country, Marina del Rey offers the lifestyle many boat enthusiasts dream of when they dream of living in Los Angeles. While it’s not technically an LA neighborhood (but rather a standalone city in LA county), MdR’s location cements it as one of the best – and best located – suburban options in the area. MdR offers a large number of condos and apartment buildings as well as easy access to freeways, but is more known for its views, sea lions, and “Silicon Beach” job opportunities than its dining or cultural scenes.

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Best LA Neighborhoods: Brentwood

This posh westside neighborhood at the base of the Santa Monica mountains is renowned for its beautiful homes and views – not to mention its proximity to Topanga State Park. Many celebrities choose to live in Brentwood for the lux accommodations and family-friendly neighborhoods, but the local government is working to increase availability by expanding affordable housing options. If a low-key, high-end residential feel is on your moving to Los Angeles checklist, it’d be hard to find a better fit than Brentwood.

All the city lights in Brentwood.
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Moving to Los Angeles FAQs

Q. How much does it cost to live in LA?

A. As one of the top cities in the world, LA commands prices that can be relatively high for both individuals and families. In fact, Numbeo estimates that a family of four would rack up about $4,000 in costs per month and a single person spends about $1,100 per month. These figures do not include rent. Most neighborhoods in Los Angeles are also known for high housing costs, which account for about two out of three people living in rentals citywide. (While that may seem extreme, the figure is similar to other big coastal cities.) But don’t worry: LA is much more than just Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. The city has so much to offer, and so many different neighborhoods, that people can and do find spots that fit their exact requirements and budgets.

Q. Which are the 5 best LA neighborhoods for families?

A. Families looking for good schools, access to the outdoors, and family-friendly recreational activities are often drawn to Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Culver City, and San Marino, which is considered the top school district in LA. Given Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country, there are several areas and hamlets that offer wonderful opportunities for children and families – it all depends on your priorities.

Q. Which are the best neighborhoods in LA for young professionals?

A. City Center, Ocean Park, Silver Lake, and Culver City and Echo Park are typically ranked among the best LA neighborhoods for young professionals, but it really depends on if you want to be in the heart of the action – or find a calm oasis outside of the hustle and bustle. In LA, you have your choice.

Q. What jobs are available in LA?

A. When they think about what jobs in LA, most people think of the entertainment industry – which has been a mainstay in the city since the first film was made there in 1897. While there are plenty of positions available at all levels throughout entertainment, LA is also known for its healthcare, hospitality and professional services industries. Tech companies, in particular, have also established a strong presence in the “Silicon Beach” area of LA, establishing it as the 6th best IT city worldwide.

Q. Where can I find out more?

A. It’s always best to visit any city you’re planning to move to before you sign the dotted line (or the Docusign!), but there are a number of interesting resources online about moving to LA that will help you understand the city and its offerings – and even how to stay sane while moving there.