Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles Metro

Where to Live in the Los Angeles Area (2025 Guide)

The Los Angeles Metro isn’t a single city; it’s a massive region of nearly 19 million people spread across Los Angeles proper, LA County in general, parts of Orange County, and the edges of the Inland Empire. Whether you're looking for surfside living, mountain views, a strong school district, or a thriving arts scene, there’s a pocket of LA that can work for you.

Each subregion has its own rhythm. The Westside is breezy and high-end. The Eastside leans indie and creative. The Valley is spacious and suburban. South Bay delivers ocean air without the Venice chaos. And Orange County feels like a mostly suburban world unto itself.

This guide breaks the metro into easy-to-understand regions, so you can find the cities and neighborhoods that actually fit your lifestyle and budget (and the commute, never, ever, ever forget the commute in Los Angeles).

Not Sure Where to Start? Here's How LA Areas Match Different Priorities

Priority ------------------------------- Good Places to Consider

No matter your lifestyle, odds are there’s a pocket of LA that fits. But the trade-offs (cost, commute, vibe) vary widely. Here’s how the metro breaks down:

Dive into each area below to see what fits, or take the LookyLOO quiz to get matched.

Westside LA

The vibe: Coastal, affluent, laid-back with a polished edge
Why it works: Ocean access, top-tier schools, media + tech jobs, walkability in select pockets.
Watch out for: Sky-high rents and home prices, frustrating eastbound traffic.
Good fit for: Tech professionals, creatives with solid income, families who value lifestyle, and schools.

Cities and neighborhoods to explore:
-Santa Monica
-Venice
-Culver City
-Westwood
-Brentwood

Deeper Dive: Westside LA ->

The Story of the Westside: The Westside feels like the glossy brochure version of LA — ocean breezes, boutique fitness studios, upscale cafes, and creative industry energy. Santa Monica and Venice offer beach access and walkability, while areas like Brentwood and Westwood lean more residential and refined. Culver City has become a hotspot for tech and media.

Eastside LA

The Vibe: Indie, creative, walkable, and eclectic
Why it works: Amazing, vibrant neighborhoods, walkability, proximity to Downtown LA
Watch out for: Rising prices, gentrification, occasional parking nightmares
Good fit for: Artists, young professionals, LGBTQ+ community, renters looking for edge + energy

Cities and neighborhoods to explore
-Silver Lake
-Echo Park
-Los Feliz
-Atwater Village
-Highland Park

Deep Dive: Eastside LA ->

The Story of the Eastside: This is LA’s artsy, indie heart. Think vintage shops, vinyl stores, dive bars, and Craftsman homes. The Eastside has seen major shifts over the past decade due to gentrification, but it still holds onto its bohemian roots in many spots.

The Valley (San Fernando Valley)

The Vibe: Suburban with pockets of city-lite energy
Why it works: Relative affordability, strong public schools in some zones, and a slower pace of life.
Watch out for: Hot summers, long commutes, and reliance on freeways
Good fit for: Families, actors, professionals who want space and a driveway.

Cities to explore
-Sherman Oaks
-Encino
-North Hollywood
-Van Nuys
-Burbank
-Glendale

Deep Dive: The Valley ->

The Story of the Valley: The Valley offers more space, more parking, and often more houses for your money. It’s hotter here (literally), but also more family-friendly in many areas. Burbank and Glendale are independent cities with their own economies and school systems, while NoHo is buzzing with artists and performers.

South Bay

The Vibe: Chill, beachy, and family-oriented
Why it works: Excellent schools, beach access, lower-key lifestyle than Venice or Santa Monica, and proximity to major employers like SpaceX and LAX.
Watch out for: Expensive housing, limited transit options, and a more suburban pace
Good fit for: Families, aerospace or tech workers, remote professionals who want daily beach walks

Cities to explore:
-Manhattan Beach
-Redondo Beach
-Hermosa Beach
-Torrance
-El Segundo

Deep Dive: South Bay ->

The Story of South Bay: The South Bay delivers a coastal lifestyle without the chaos of Venice or Santa Monica. It’s clean, safe, and packed with great public schools. Manhattan Beach is upscale and polished, while Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach feel more laid-back. El Segundo is emerging as a tech hub.

Downtown LA & Surroundings

The Vibe: Urban, energetic, and evolving fast with culture and nightlife (and even some public transportation!!!)
Why it works: Live-work-play lifestyle, access to museums, bars, sports venues, and loft-style housing. Car-optional-ish living in a few pockets.
Watch out for: Uneven safety, expensive rentals, and very limited green space
Good fit for: Young professionals, creatives, renters who want to walk to neighborhood happenings

Cities/Neighborhoods to explore:
-Downtown LA
-Koreatown
-Arts District
-Chinatown
-Little Tokyo
-Westlake

Deep Dive: Downtown LA & Surroundings ->

The Story of Downtown LA & Surroundings: Downtown LA has transformed into a live-work-play district with loft apartments, food halls, and cultural landmarks. Koreatown offers 24/7 nightlife and a dense, diverse community. Other nearby neighborhoods mix old LA charm with new development.

Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley (SGV)

The Vibe: Leafy, historic, and community-oriented with a strong educational and culinary culture
Why it works: Great public schools, diverse neighborhoods, proximity to hiking and nature, and excellent Asian cuisine
Watch out for: Hot summers, long drives to the Westside, and rising home prices in desirable areas
Good fit for: Families, university professionals, foodies, and retirees looking for calm but not boring

Cities to explore:
-Pasadena
-Arcadia
-Alhambra
-Monterey Park
-San Marino

Deep Dive: Pasadena & the SGV ->

The Story of Pasadena & the SGV: Pasadena feels like its own self-contained city with beautiful homes, great schools, and a real sense of community. The SGV is also home to some of the best Asian food in the country and a broad range of suburban neighborhoods with character.

South LA & Inglewood

The Vibe: Community-centered, historic, and in the midst of transformation
Why it works: More affordable than the Westside or South Bay, great cultural heritage, central location, and proximity to SoFi Stadium and new development
Watch out for: Gentrification concerns, uneven school quality, and limited housing inventory in some neighborhoods
Good fit for: Longtime residents, first-time buyers, professionals seeking value and centrality

Cities/Neighborhoods to explore:
-Inglewood
-Leimert Park
-Baldwin Hills
-Crenshaw
-Windsor Hills

Deep Dive: South LA & Inglewood ->

The Story of South LA & Inglewood: These historic, community-focused neighborhoods are increasingly in the spotlight thanks to new developments like SoFi Stadium and Metro expansions. Inglewood, in particular, is transforming fast.

Orange County

The vibe: Suburban, clean, master-planned with a distinctly different pace from LA
Why it works: Master-planned communities, top-ranked public schools, newer homes, job centers in education, healthcare, and tech
Watch out for: Long commutes into LA, less cultural diversity than the core metro, and higher home prices near the coast
Good fit for: Families, professionals working in OC, or anyone seeking a quieter lifestyle

Cities to explore:
-Irvine
-Santa Ana
-Costa Mesa
-Newport Beach
-Anaheim

Deep Dive: Orange County ->

The Story of Orange County: The OC feels distinct from LA — more orderly, less chaotic, and very family-focused. Irvine offers top-tier schools and job opportunities, while coastal cities like Newport bring the luxury. It’s more car-dependent, but also less dense.

What is the Inland Empire (IE) Like?

The Vibe: Growing, spacious, and far more budget-friendly than the LA core
Why it works: Lower home prices, larger lots, growing job markets in logistics, education, and remote work
Watch out for: Long commutes to LA proper, hot summers, and fewer cultural amenities
Good fit for: First-time buyers, families, remote workers, and people who want space and affordability

Cities to explore:
-Riverside
-San Bernardino
-Ontario
-Rancho Cucamonga
-Redlands

Deep Dive: Inland Empire ->

The Story of the Inland Empire: If you want more houses for less money, the IE is where to look. It’s still evolving but increasingly attractive to first-time buyers, remote workers, and people priced out of LA.

TL;DR: LA Isn’t One City. It’s a Whole Region.

More than any Metropolitan area of the country (New York has a public transport network that puts it a distant second), this area is no joke in terms of needing to be sure to choose the area of the metro you move to wisely.

We highly recommend you dive into the sub-areas linked to each section here or take the LookyLOO quiz to get matched with the city that matches you best. Also shoot in any questions about the areas you have to our concierge team. Good luck!

FAQs About Where to Live in the Los Angeles Metro

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best suburbs of Los Angeles for families?
A: Some of the most popular LA-area suburbs for families include Pasadena, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. These areas offer strong public schools, parks, and neighborhoods that feel suburban while still being connected to the wider metro.

Q: Where can I find affordable housing in the LA Metro?

A: For more budget-friendly options, consider the Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario), parts of South LA, or areas of the San Fernando Valley like Van Nuys or Panorama City. These areas often offer more space for the price.

Q: What are the most walkable areas in Los Angeles?

A: LA is a car-heavy city overall, but pockets of walkability exist in Santa Monica, Venice, Downtown LA, and Koreatown. Neighborhoods in the Eastside like Silver Lake and Echo Park also offer decent walkability with local cafes, bars, and parks.

Q: Where do young professionals tend to live in LA?

A: Popular spots for young professionals include Culver City, Koreatown, Downtown LA, Silver Lake, and Venice — all offering a mix of social life, job access, and rental options.

Q: Is Orange County considered part of the LA Metro?

A: Technically, no. Orange County is its own metro area. But for relocation purposes, many people include it in their LA-area search, especially when looking at cities like Irvine or Costa Mesa that are commutable to LA or offer similar amenities.

Q: What is the commute like in Los Angeles?

A: Commute times vary dramatically by region. Living on the Westside and commuting east (or vice versa) can mean an hour or more in traffic. Metro expansions and some regional trains help, but most people still rely on driving. Always factor in traffic when choosing where to live.

Q: Is Los Angeles a good place to live without a car?

A: It depends on the neighborhood. Downtown LA, Koreatown, and parts of Santa Monica are among the few areas where you can live mostly car-free. However, most of LA still requires a car for daily life, especially in the suburbs.

Q: How do I figure out where to live in LA?

A: Start by thinking about lifestyle (walkability, affordability, access to work or school), and then narrow down by region. Use our relocation quiz to get matched with neighborhoods that align with your goals and talk to one of the LookyLOO scouts to get deep feedback on cities that meet your needs.

Still deciding?
Save your favorite cities and neighborhoods in a Movebook, or take the LookyLOO quiz to see which areas match your lifestyle best.