2020 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Los Angeles
There’s a rush that comes with moving to a new place, especially if you’re changing cities and altering your life in a significant way. It feels like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff. You know that once you take that first step off the edge that everything is going to start happening faster. One-step and it all changes. At the risk of being too dramatic, if you want to avoid a violent end to your leap of faith, you have to prepare. Never jump without a parachute and don’t move without a safety net. In many ways, Los Angeles is a cliff. The thought of jumping is exhilarating, exciting, and probably more than a little bit terrifying. Still, you’ve done your research, and your parachute is ready to catch you before the ground. There’s only one thing left to figure out. Where exactly do you want to land?
Los Angeles is different from the majority of other large cities in the United States. While cities like Chicago and New York are tall, Los Angeles is wide. This is the second-largest city in the US by population and the largest by area. Each section of the city as a whole is broken down into smaller cities, and where you live matters. Thinking of moving to or around the city? Choose your city wisely. You may not have even heard of the best cities that Los Angeles has on offer.
Westlake Village
Overview
Westlake Village is a secluded little city that doesn’t get much in the way of attention when talking about Los Angeles. Maybe that’s because it’s on the western edge of the city, or maybe it’s because the city goes so far out of its way to be a quiet respite from the bustle. It’s likely that when searching for a place you didn’t even think about it, and that’s exactly why you should consider it.
Appeal
Westlake village is known for a couple of things. The first is for its seclusion from the rest of Los Angeles. It shares a border with Thousand Oaks, and you’re not going to get much further away from the city center while still being in Los Angeles County. It’s suburbia, giving you all that has to offer. It’s well known for having excellent schools and plenty to do outdoors. The city is a popular living destination for people who enjoy equestrian activities and hiking, not to mention that the beaches of Malibu are only a few minutes away. If you’re an outdoorsy person, it’s hard to find better than Westlake Village in Los Angeles.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback that this city has is also a major contributor to why so many people love it. The city is isolated from the rest of Los Angeles. If you’re working in the San Fernando Valley, Downtown LA, Burbank, or anywhere that isn’t Westlake Village or Thousand Oaks, you’ll have a very long commute. Housing is also quite expansive, even by Los Angeles standards with the median home value resting at $819,900 and rent averaging out at $2,354 a month. While there are good schools, there’s a small number of them. If for some reason, or another you do have a problem with the school, there won’t be many options available to you in the area.
Conclusion
Westlake Village provides residents with a piece of the quiet life while still living within arms reach of Los Angeles. It’s great for outdoorsy people who are willing to commute a little more each day so that they get to have some wide-open spaces waiting at home. If you’re considering moving to Westlake village then you might need a moving company in Westlake Village.
Porter Ranch
Overview
At the North end of the San Fernando Valley, Porter Ranch is one of the newest cities in Los Angeles. The development of housing didn’t begin in earnest until the 1960s when the first houses and cul de sacs started to pop up in the area. The area would get another boom in the 90s when the city of Los Angeles approved a master-planned community. Now the city is known for its high winds and lack of smog. It also has a scenic overview of the valley below. Porter Ranch gives you one of the best views in Los Angeles.
Appeal
There are quite a few reasons why you might be drawn to calling Porter Ranch home. It remains among the safest neighborhoods in the valley, with an average crime rate of almost 40% lower than the rest of the United States average. There’s also quite a lot to do if you love the outdoors, mountains especially. The area is nestled in the foothills above the 118 freeway, which means that there’s plenty of hiking to be done. The Freeway being close by also gives commuters easy access, allowing them to get on the road faster than they might in other cities. Porter Ranch schools are also considered some of the best in Los Angeles.
Drawbacks
Like most other nice places in Los Angeles, Porter Ranch is expensive. Not as expensive as other communities for sure, but when compared to the national average it’s hard to call it cheap. The average home value is $681,550, almost 270% higher than the national average. Rent fairs a bit better, with an average monthly cost of $2,763 and only being 191% above the national average. The city is also about as far north in Los Angeles as you can go. Despite the easy freeway access, if you don’t work in the San Fernando Valley, then you’ll find yourself the victim of very long commutes.
Conclusion
Porter Ranch provides some of the best scenic vistas of the San Fernando Valley. There’s no better place to settle down with a family and enjoy all that Los Angeles has to offer. If you’re moving to Porter Ranch then you might want the help of the best moving company in Porter Ranch to make your first few days in Los Angeles good ones.
Sherman Oaks
Overview
Sherman Oaks is one of the most vibrant cities in Los Angeles. Mom and Pop shops are surrounded by larger shopping centers. The neighborhood has beautiful housing on Mulholland Drive and across the entire city. Accessibility the name of the game in Sherman Oaks. The city is in a prime location for getting almost anywhere in the city. It makes Sherman Oaks a popular destination and central hub for people looking for fun and to settle down. The area is a landmark for LA suburban and Mall culture because of the reputation it built in the 80s.
Appeal
The Appeal of Sherman Oaks is in the ability to shop, live, and get anywhere in the city easily. The city has access to both the 101 and the 405 freeways, making it easy for a commuter to reach almost anywhere in Los Angeles. It’s also centrally located on the south side of the valley, making it easy for people to get anywhere in the valley and downtown Los Angeles quickly. There’s also a lot to do in the way of recreation. There’s the Westfield Fashion Center, the Sherman Oaks Galleria and the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks recreation center complete with soccer fields and an outdoor pool.
Drawbacks
Aside from being crowded by comparison to the rest of the valley, the city also lacks service by any of the major rail systems in Los Angeles. If this is a means of travel that you rely on, then you might want to reconsider Sherman Oaks. It is also known for its shopping, if you don’t care for the bustle, and aren’t a shopper, then Sherman Oaks may not be the city for you. The schools are also not among the best in the city, with a graduation rate of 10% lower than the US average.
Conclusion
Sherman Oaks is great for anyone looking to have a little bit of the city in them while not giving up the suburbs. There’s a lot of shopping and easy access to the rest of the city. It makes a great hub for anyone looking to call Los Angeles home. If you’re going to make this your home then you’ll need a moving company in Sherman Oaks. Let them do the hard work for you.
Northridge
Overview
Originally Northridge was named Zelzah but would be renamed in 1929. It now has a population of around 60,000 people, making it one of the least dense cities in Los Angeles. The city is also considered highly diverse and is home to one of California’s landmarks in CSU (California State University). The weather is always a plus to consider when moving to any city in southern California, and Northridge is no exception to this. As a resident, you can enjoy all that Northridge has to offer.
Appeal
The biggest draw to Northridge is without a doubt, California State University. Much of what happens in this city revolves around the University. There’s more than just the university, however. There are also restaurants and easy access to the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. There’s also Lake Balboa just south of the city if you’re interested in spending even more time outdoors. Everything you could want from a city built around a university is present in Northridge. There’s also easy access to both the 118 and the 405 freeways.
Drawbacks
Even though the city is one of the least dense in Los Angeles, it is still in the middle of the valley, meaning that for natural attractions, you’ll have to drive to see them. The schools are generally considered below average for the area, (Aside from the college) with test scores being 18% lower than the national average. That having been said, there are a variety of schools if you’re not happy with the one your children attend.
Conclusion
Northridge is great for people just moving to Los Angeles or anyone wanting to live in a college city. There’s so much that you can take advantage of in Northridge. Consider getting a moving company in Northridge so that when you’re moving it can be a headache and worry-free.
Calabasas
Overview
Calabasas is often called Malibu North and is something of a haven for the celebrities who call it home. For a long time, the valley was considered déclassé, but Calabasas has proven otherwise. The homes here are stunning, and the city follows suit. It’s been described as both Town and Country, with scenic landscapes and luxury car dealerships. Living in Calabasas means that you can enjoy all the luxuries of high-end living, with the scenic vistas to match. It’s home to more than a few celebrities including the Kardashians and Justin Bieber. If you’re in the market for a luxury home don’t let Calabsasas slip you by.
Appeal
It’s not hard to see why so many of the rich and famous have chosen to call Calabasas their home. The city is gorgeous with high-end shopping and scenic nature views to match. The city has easy access to the 101 freeway and is nestled on the south end of the San Fernando Valley, giving residents easy access to the valley and Los Angeles proper. There’s also more than one scenic route to Malibu and its wonderful beaches. The schools are also excellent. In Calabasas, the average graduation rate is 16% higher than the national average, and testing scores are 65% higher than the national average. The crime rate is also astonishingly low, 38% lower than the national average. Calabasas is where you can find the glamour of Hollywood nestled away in a suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The biggest reason you might want to reconsider moving to Calabasas is the cost. The average price for a house is 402% above the national average, at just under $927,000. If you can afford it, Calabasas has a lot to offer. Then there’s the heat. Just because it’s called Malibu North doesn’t mean it gets any breezes off the ocean. During the summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can learn to live with the heat you’ll find that Calabasas has a lot to offer anyone who decides to call it home.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a little slice of the celebrity life while not leaving the valley, then Calabasas is where to do it. You’ll have luxury housing and luxury everything while enjoying all that the city has to offer. If you’re moving your family then Calabasas movers can help start you off on the right foot.