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Los Angeles: Eastside
Los Angeles: Eastside

Living on the Eastside of Los Angeles: A Guide for Newcomers

What Is the Eastside, Really?
The "Eastside" of Los Angeles refers to a group of neighborhoods just northeast and east of Downtown LA. While local definitions can be fuzzy (and often debated), this guide focuses on what most people think of when they say Eastside: Silver Lake, Echo Park, Highland Park, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and surrounding areas.
These neighborhoods have long histories, layered identities, and some of the most distinct character in all of LA. If you want creativity, culture, and a sense of community, this is your side of town.

The Vibe
The Eastside is artsy, walkable (by LA standards), and full of flavor. It mixes old-school LA charm with new energy from transplants, creatives, and young professionals. Think hilly streets lined with vintage bungalows, murals around every corner, and more coffee shops than you can count.
There’s a neighborhood feel that’s hard to find elsewhere in LA, especially in places like Atwater and Highland Park. And yet, you're never far from music venues, late-night eats, or indie theaters.

Popular Eastside Neighborhoods

  • Silver Lake – Stylish, progressive, and full of hip spots. Great views, unique homes, and a blend of longtimers and newcomers. Sunset Blvd here is a go-to for restaurants and nightlife.
  • Echo Park – A little grittier than Silver Lake but just as creative. Echo Park Lake is a community hub, and there’s a strong activist and artist presence here.
  • Highland Park – Rapidly changing but still retains a strong Latino cultural identity. York Blvd has become a destination for food and drink.
  • Atwater Village – Quieter, with a small-town feel and lots of single-family homes. Great for families, creatives, and people who want to be near the action but not in the middle of it.
  • Los Feliz – More established, with tree-lined streets, classic architecture, and walkable pockets like Vermont and Hillhurst Avenues. Also borders Griffith Park.

Who Lives Here?

  • Artists, writers, and musicians
  • Young professionals and digital creatives
  • LGBTQ+ community members
  • Longtime Latino families
  • Renters and buyers priced out of the Westside but looking for character and culture

Housing Snapshot
The Eastside is full of older homes, many dating back to the 1920s-1940s. You’ll find Craftsman houses, Spanish-style duplexes, and mid-century apartment buildings. There are also more ADUs and smaller-lot developments popping up as density increases.

  • Rent: $2,000–$3,500+ for 1-2BR apartments, more for single-family homes or modern units
  • Buy: Starter homes now average $1M+, with some pockets still slightly more affordable (for LA, anyway)
    The market is competitive. If you find something with charm and a decent price, expect a bidding war.

Commute & Transit

  • Driving: Centrally located for access to DTLA, Hollywood, and even parts of the Valley. But local surface streets can get congested.
  • Transit: The Metro Gold Line serves Highland Park and connects to Union Station. Bus service is decent, and biking is more common here than in other parts of LA.
  • Walkability: Some of the best in the city. Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Atwater in particular have walkable stretches full of shops and restaurants.

Things to Do

  • Culture & Arts: Local galleries, music venues like The Echo, and a strong DIY scene
  • Outdoors: Griffith Park, the LA River Path, Elysian Park
  • Shopping: Indie bookstores, vintage shops, handmade goods
  • Food: Tacos, vegan cafes, old-school diners, James Beard-nominated restaurants
  • Nightlife: Dive bars, rooftop lounges, and music every night of the week

Pros & Cons
Pros:

  • Strong sense of identity and community
  • Centrally located with good access to DTLA and Hollywood
  • Tons of culture, food, and nightlife
  • Relatively walkable and bikeable
  • Great mix of old and new housing

Cons:

  • Rising housing costs due to gentrification
  • Street parking can be rough
  • Infrastructure (like sidewalks and lighting) can be hit or miss
  • Some tension between longtime residents and newcomers

Is the Eastside Right for You?
Ask yourself:

  • Do you care more about character than square footage?
  • Are you okay with a bit of grit in exchange for culture and energy?
  • Do you value community spaces, walkability, and a strong local identity?
    If you answered yes, the Eastside might be exactly what you're looking for.