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Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles Metro

Considering a Move to the Los Angeles Metro Area? Here’s What You Should Know

Relocating to LA isn’t as simple as picking a neighborhood and calling it a day. This city is a massive region made up of dozens of cities, neighborhoods, and unincorporated areas, all stitched together under the banner of Southern California. It’s diverse, complicated, and — if you do your homework — full of possibilities.

If you’re coming from out of state (or even just another part of California), this guide will walk you through the major subregions of the LA Metro so you can start narrowing down your options.

What Is the LA Metro Area, Exactly?
When locals say "LA," they might be referring to the City of Los Angeles (if you're interested in just the city of LA check out the {LookyLOO Review](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/los-angeles), LA County, or the broader metro area that spills into Orange County, Ventura County, and parts of the Inland Empire. It’s home to nearly 19 million people and includes everything from quiet suburbs to high-rise downtown living, beach towns to mountain foothills.
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:

Westside LA
Includes: Santa Monica, Venice, Westwood, Brentwood, Culver City, West LA

  • General vibe: Coastal, affluent, laid-back with a polished edge
    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.
  • Why it works: Close to major employers in tech and entertainment, great weather, and a blend of beach-town and urban amenities.
  • Watch out for: High housing costs and some of the region’s worst traffic, especially if you need to head east.
  • Good fit for: Tech professionals, entertainment execs, transplants with generous relocation packages, and anyone who prioritizes lifestyle over budget.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Westside LA to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Eastside LA
Includes: Silver Lake, Echo Park, Highland Park, Atwater Village, Los Feliz

  • General vibe: Creative, walkable, and eclectic
    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.
  • Why it works: Strong neighborhood identity, lots of cultural character, and easy access to Downtown and Hollywood.
  • Things to consider: Housing prices have climbed, parking is tough, and infrastructure can be hit or miss.
  • Good fit for: Artists, musicians, progressive professionals, and folks who want a true neighborhood vibe with city energy.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Eastside LA to better understand whether this area is right for you.

The San Fernando Valley ("The Valley")
Includes: Sherman Oaks, Encino, Burbank, Glendale, North Hollywood, Van Nuys

  • General vibe: Suburban with pockets of city-lite energy
    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 economies and school systems, while NoHo is buzzing with artists and performers.
  • Why it works: Relative affordability, strong public schools in some zones, and a slower pace of life.
  • Challenges: The 101 and 405 freeways can turn into parking lots. Summers get toasty.
  • Good fit for: Families, working actors, middle-income professionals, and anyone who wants suburban amenities without leaving LA County.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into The Valley to better understand whether this area is right for you.

South Bay
Includes: Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, El Segundo

  • General vibe: Chill, beachy, and family-oriented
    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 and Hermosa feel more laid-back. El Segundo is emerging as a tech hub.
  • Why it works: Excellent schools, beach access, and proximity to major employers like SpaceX and LAX.
  • Downsides: High housing prices and limited public transportation.
  • Good fit for: Families, aerospace engineers, tech workers, and beach lovers who value peace over trendiness.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into South Bay to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Downtown LA (DTLA) & Surrounding Neighborhoods
Includes: Arts District, Koreatown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Westlake

  • General vibe: Urban, energetic, and evolving fast
    DTLA 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.
  • Why it works: You can actually live car-free, and there’s no shortage of things to do.
  • Downsides: Some areas still struggle with safety and homelessness. Green space is limited.
  • Good fit for: Young professionals, creatives, and anyone who thrives on city living.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Downtown LA + Surrounding Neighborhoods to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley (SGV)
Includes: Pasadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, San Marino, Monterey Park

  • General vibe: Leafy, historic, and highly livable
    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.
  • Why it works: Strong schools, access to hiking and the mountains, and a quieter lifestyle.
  • Considerations: Commutes to the Westside are long. Summers get hot.
  • Good fit for: Families, retirees, healthcare and university professionals, and foodies.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley to better understand whether this area is right for you.

South LA & Inglewood
Includes: Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park, Crenshaw, Inglewood, Windsor Hills

  • General vibe: Rich in culture, rapidly changing
    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.
  • Why it works: More affordable than many LA neighborhoods, centrally located, and culturally vibrant.
  • Keep in mind: Gentrification is a real concern, and school quality varies.
  • Good fit for: Longtime residents, first-time buyers, and professionals looking for value with access to the rest of LA.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into South LA & Inglewood to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Orange County (OC)
Includes: Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach

  • General vibe: Suburban, clean, and master-planned
    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.
  • Why it works: Strong schools, new housing stock, beach proximity, and job opportunities in healthcare, tech, and education.
  • Trade-offs: Long commutes if you work in LA, and home prices are high in desirable areas.
  • Good fit for: Suburban families, professionals who work in OC, and those looking for stability and safety.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Orange County to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Inland Empire (IE)
Includes: Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands

  • General vibe: Growing, spacious, and budget-friendly
    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.
  • Why it works: Affordable housing, more land, and expanding job markets in logistics, education, and healthcare.
  • Challenges: Longer commutes, hotter summers, and fewer cultural amenities than the coast.
  • Good fit for: First-time homebuyers, growing families, remote workers, and those who don’t mind driving for amenities.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Inland Empire to better understand whether this area is right for you.

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

  • Beach lifestyle: ---------------------- South Bay, Westside, OC

  • Great schools + space: --------------- Pasadena, South Bay, parts of the Valley

  • Urban, walkable: --------------------- Eastside, DTLA, Koreatown

  • Budget-friendlier options: ------------ Inland Empire, South LA, parts of the Valley

  • Creative Community: ---------------- Echo Park, Silver Lake, Highland Park

  • Suburban ease + safety: ------------- Irvine, Arcadia, Sherman Oaks

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 and shoot in any questions about the areas you have to our concierge team. Good luck!