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The 16 Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Aerial view of a Los Angeles neighborhood of Hawthorne with single-family homes and tree-lined streets
May 13, 2025

Though it’s easy to picture Los Angeles as one big stretch of sunshine and palm trees, every part of La-La Land moves at its own pace and draws a different crowd. Want an easy commute? You’ve got options near DTLA and Koreatown. Prefer suburban calm? Try the Valley or Westchester. Looking for prestige? Bel-Air and Brentwood are always in style.

This huge variety of neighborhoods is what makes LA appealing — and hard to navigate. Citywide, the median home price is just shy of $1 million. Rent for a one-bedroom sits around $2,700. But those numbers vary dramatically depending on the neighborhood. Some neighborhoods offer much more value per square foot, while others trade space for location or exclusivity. The market has cooled a bit since its peak, but competition is still stiff in areas with strong schools, high walk scores, or enduring demand.

If you're moving long distance or moving cross-country to LA, where you land makes all the difference. Keep reading to find the neighborhood that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your version of the California dream.

How We Chose the Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has nearly 500 neighborhoods, depending on how you draw the boundaries. We narrowed the list by focusing on five key qualities people care about most when moving, whether locally or moving long-distance: safety, affordability, walkability, family-friendliness, and overall wealth. These categories reflect different priorities, whether you’re raising kids, buying your first home, or looking for a place that doesn’t require a car.

This guide is organized by category, with neighborhoods numbered consecutively from start to finish. Whether you're looking for the safest streets or the best place to buy a home, you’ll find a shortlist worth exploring.

16 Best Los Angeles Neighborhoods

To help you get a handle on the city’s diversity, we've curated a list of the top neighborhoods based on key factors such as safety, affordability, walkability, family-friendliness, and overall wealth. Below is a quick overview of the neighborhoods we'll explore:

Table of Contents
1. Pacific Palisades: Best for families
2. Los Feliz: Best for creative professionals
3. Bel Air: Best for privacy and prestige
4. Beverly Hills: Best for iconic glamour
5. Brentwood: Best for upscale suburban living
6. Malibu: Best for oceanfront living
7. Holmby Hills: Best for legacy estates
8. La Cañada Flintridge: Best for top-ranked schools
9. South Pasadena: Best for historic charm
10. Studio City: Best for entertainment industry families
11. Boyle Heights: Best for cultural vibrancy
12. Greater Valley Glen: Best for suburban feel
13. Crenshaw: Best for community engagement
14. MacArthur Park — Best for urban convenience
15. Downtown Los Angeles: Best for cultural access
16. Koreatown (Wilshire Center–Koreatown): Best for nightlife and dining
A scenic sunset view of Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, situated along the Pacific coast

Safest Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Safety is a paramount concern for many when choosing a place to live. The following neighborhoods have been identified as some of the safest in Los Angeles, based on crime statistics and community reports.

1. Pacific Palisades: Best for families

Pacific Palisades feels like its own small town tucked into the west side of LA. You’ll get wide streets, quiet mornings, and neighbors who actually know each other. Families love it for the great public schools and sense of safety — crime rates are nearly half the city average. The shops and restaurants at Palisades Village give the area a polished, walkable core, and the weekly farmers market is a neighborhood favorite.

In early 2024, a wildfire damaged parts of the surrounding parkland. But even with recovery underway, the Palisades hasn’t lost its draw. The ocean breeze still rolls in every evening, and the hills remain one of the most scenic places in the city to call home.

The Griffith Observatory illuminated and standing prominently on a hill, against the backdrop of the city skyline at dusk

2. Los Feliz: Best for creative professionals

Los Feliz blends a little bit of old Hollywood with a lot of neighborhood personality. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a cortado at an indie coffee shop, catch a band at the Greek, and hike to the Observatory all in one afternoon. 

The streets are walkable, the homes range from Spanish Revival to mid-century modern, and the vibe leans casual but creative. While crime rates aren’t dramatically lower than the city average, the neighborhood feels calm and well-tended, thanks in part to a strong local community and active preservation efforts. 

Richest Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Los Angeles isn’t shy about its wealth. Some of the country’s highest property values, most expensive estates, and most exclusive ZIP codes are tucked into the hills, canyons, and coastlines of this city. 

These neighborhoods stand out for their median incomes and architectural pedigree, but also for their reputations. People don’t just move here for the square footage — they come for the privacy, prestige, and proximity to everything from A-list parties to ocean views.

3. Bel Air: Best for privacy and prestige

Bel Air is tucked into the hills with gated driveways, lush landscaping, and almost no sidewalks — by design. It’s the kind of neighborhood where fame goes to disappear. Homes are spread out, architecture skews extravagant, and the elevation keeps it cool in both climate and attitude. Bel Air isn’t bustling, but that’s the point. You go there for privacy and stay for the view (especially if you’re movin’ with your auntie and uncle in Bel AIr…) 

A ritzy street sign for Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, one of the best Los Angeles neighborhoods

4. Beverly Hills: Best for iconic glamour

Beverly Hills is the billboard version of LA wealth. Think palm-lined boulevards, celebrity sightings, and old-Hollywood estates with their own zip code lore. The houses here range from grand to over-the-top. For buyers who want cachet and curb appeal in equal measure, this is the classic choice. La La Land at its finest.

5. Brentwood: Best for upscale suburban living

Brentwood is polished but not flashy. With its tree-lined streets, quality public schools, and understated elegance, it’s a favorite among athletes, academics, and families with deep pockets. The vibe leans more laid-back than lavish, but don’t let that fool you. Brentwood commands some of the highest prices per square foot in the city. It's Westside living with a residential heartbeat, truly joyful living.

Malibu Pier at sunset, with the pier stretching into the ocean and waves crashing on the shore

6. Malibu: Best for oceanfront living

Malibu is where LA meets the Pacific, and the homes don’t just face the ocean — they perch on top of it. This coastal enclave is built for people who don’t mind the drive but demand the view. It’s quiet, gorgeous, and outrageously expensive, offering a real sense of escape from the city. You get private beaches, canyon trails, and high-end shopping all within reach. For oceanfront money, nothing else in LA compares.

7. Holmby Hills: Best for legacy estates

Holmby Hills is one-third of LA’s famed “Platinum Triangle,” along with Bel Air and Beverly Hills. It's the smallest and most discreet of the three, but often the priciest. Estates here don’t hit the market often, and when they do, they tend to go for astronomical amounts. The neighborhood is hyper-residential, beautifully manicured, and quiet to the point of ghostly. It’s money wrapped in mature trees and legacy architecture.

Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Families

Los Angeles isn’t always the first city that comes to mind when people think of raising a family, but it should be. The city has dozens of neighborhoods that offer strong public schools, low crime, and parks that actually get used. Here are some of the best.

8. La Cañada Flintridge: Best for top-ranked schools

Tucked into the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, La Cañada Flintridge feels worlds away from the city but sits just 15 miles from Downtown LA. It’s a quiet, residential enclave known for its top-tier public schools, including La Cañada High, which regularly ranks among the best in California. 

The neighborhood is made up of large, single-family homes with wide lots and mature trees. Families are drawn to its parks, hiking access, and walkable town center with locally owned bakeries, boutiques, and cafes. 

9. South Pasadena: Best for historic charm

South Pasadena is the type of place where you’ll run into the same people at the farmers market every Thursday. It’s small, self-contained, and proud of its preservation efforts — you’ll see more than a few restored Craftsman and Victorian homes here. 

Parents love the neighborhood for its walkable schools, tight-knit PTA culture, and local events like Concerts in the Park. Despite being just off the 110 freeway, it feels like a small town that’s managed to hold onto its soul.

10. Studio City: Best for entertainment industry families

Studio City strikes a balance between neighborhood comfort and city access. Nestled just over the hill from Hollywood, it’s a go-to for folks who work in entertainment. It’s a perfect balance for those who want to stay close to the action without living in the middle of it. 

Single-family homes dominate the flatlands, while hillside properties offer canyon views. Ventura Boulevard serves as the main drag, with restaurants, coffee shops, and yoga studios that stay packed on weekends. It’s family-friendly, but not sleepy.

Affordable Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for its high cost of living, but there are neighborhoods that offer more affordable housing options. Below, we explore some of the most affordable neighborhoods in Los Angeles based on rental and home prices.

11. Boyle Heights: Best for cultural vibrancy

Boyle Heights, located just east of Downtown Los Angeles, is a neighborhood rich in cultural history and diversity. Known for its vibrant Latino community, the area offers a variety of local eateries, art galleries, and community events. Its proximity to downtown makes it a convenient location for commuters. While the neighborhood faces challenges such as higher crime rates, ongoing community efforts aim to improve safety and quality of life.

12. Greater Valley Glen: Best for suburban feel

Greater Valley Glen, situated in the San Fernando Valley, offers a suburban atmosphere with tree-lined streets and single-family homes. The neighborhood provides a quiet alternative to the bustling city life, with access to parks and community centers. While public transportation options are limited, the area may appeal to those seeking a more relaxed environment at an affordable price point.

13. Crenshaw: Best for community engagement

Crenshaw is a neighborhood with a strong sense of community and cultural heritage. It hosts various events and festivals that celebrate its African American roots. The area offers a range of housing options and is undergoing development aimed at improving infrastructure and public spaces. While affordability is a key attraction, residents should be aware of ongoing changes and community initiatives.

Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Los Angeles might be a driving city, but not every neighborhood requires a car. A few standout areas offer dense, transit-connected streets where you can walk to coffee, groceries, dinner, and the Metro without breaking a sweat.

14. MacArthur Park — Best for urban convenience

MacArthur Park packs a lot of life into a small footprint. Bordering Westlake, it’s one of the most densely populated and transit-rich areas in the city. Residents here are steps from Metro stations, markets, bakeries, and street vendors. While the area has historically faced challenges with crime and upkeep, revitalization efforts and community programming are starting to shift that narrative, especially in areas close to the park.

15. Downtown Los Angeles: Best for cultural access

Downtown LA has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past 15 years. What was once mostly office space is now a hub for lofts, apartments, and food halls. You can live here without a car and barely notice. Metro lines converge at 7th/Metro and Pershing Square, and nearly every errand can be run on foot. There's still grit in parts of DTLA, but the energy, access, and skyline views keep drawing new residents in.

16. Koreatown (Wilshire Center–Koreatown): Best for nightlife and dining

Walk Score: 96

Median home price: $820,000

Average rent (1-bedroom): $2,200

Commute to Downtown: 10–15 minutes

Don’t miss: The Wiltern, Koreatown Plaza, endless late-night BBQ

Koreatown doesn’t sleep — and neither do your options for food and fun. This is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in LA, with dense residential blocks woven between karaoke bars, spas, bubble tea shops, and historic theaters. It’s also a major transit hub, with Red and Purple Metro lines cutting right through. Most buildings are mid-rise apartments, making it a go-to for renters who want action right outside their front door.

A residential street in Beverly Hills, California, characterized by tall palm trees lining both sides of the road

Moving to LA: From the Hills to the Heart of the City

Every neighborhood in Los Angeles has its own way of doing things. Some trade space for walkability. Others offer top-ranked schools, ocean views, or room to spread out. The best choice comes down to what you value most and what kind of life you want to build.

Whether you're heading to family-friendly La Cañada Flintridge or walkable Koreatown, Colonial Van Lines can help you settle in with less stress. With over 50 years of long-distance moving experience, our team knows how to handle every step, from packing and loading to safe delivery at your new home. Get a free quote and let us make your move to LA smoother from start to finish.

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