Quantifying the characteristics of the best areas to live in Los Angeles for young professionals

Learning about Los Angeles locations through data

Local Logic builds location intelligence solutions to help home seekers and investors find opportunities that are most suited to their preferences and requirements. We draw upon thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores to provide street- and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure amenities close by and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can find properties based on specific characteristics, such as proximity to schools or quiet neighborhoods, and make more informed decisions on where to live.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Los Angeles’ average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for the best Los Angeles neighborhoods for young professionals, as well as the city’s average. We looked at the following scores:

• Transit-friendly: Represents the frequency and level of service of public transit
• Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
• Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
• Restaurants: Quantity and diversity of restaurants nearby
• Cafes: Quantity and diversity of cafés nearby
• Shopping: Quantity and diversity of shops nearby
• Nightlife: Quantity and diversity of bars nearby
• Vibrancy: Quantity and diversity of bars nearby

Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

Ranking the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for young professionals

Here’s our data-informed list of Los Angeles’ top neighborhoods for young professionals:

1. Downtown

Downtown Los Angeles offers a mix of art museums, innovative restaurants, and hip bars. For living options, modern high-rises are mixed in with architectural landmarks dating back to the city’s birth in 1781. If you’re into music, the Music Center performing arts complex will be a regular part of your routine, and includes the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Follow the “iced coffee trail” to find your new favorite pre-work coffee spot.

Some notable restaurants include Little Sister southeast Asian bar and bistro, Perch for french cuisine, and The Hoxton DTLA rooftop for amazing views while you eat. If you’re a young professional trying to make it in the music world, several offices of Warner Music are found here.

2. Beverly Grove

Beverly Grove is best known for its shopping and dining; the perfect place to be when the work days are behind you. The main attraction for these types of activities is the Beverly Center with its eight storeys of retail.

There are a lot of high-end dining spots such as The Ivy, and a number of expensive sushi spots, vegan cafés, and joints owned by celebrity chefs. If you’re a young professional on a budget, keep it top of mind if you’re considering Beverly Grove.

3. Echo Park

Echo Park is perfect for young professionals who are looking for a more relaxed and casual way of living in Los Angeles. It’s a haven for dive bars and casual eateries, like Donna’s. As the name implies, there’s a lot of green space and it’s also home to a namesake lake. If you’re into baseball, Dodger Stadium is right there.

On the weekends, pop into Echo + Echo Plex to catch the latest live music acts, visit the Chavez Ravine Arboretum (the first and oldest in Southern California), or swing by Bloom and Plume, a Black-owned coffee and community space.

4. Mid-Wilshire

The Mid-Wilshire neighborhood is known for being a diverse area that is centrally located. It’s home to a number of museums, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Petersen Automotive Museum, and the La Brea Tar Pits. On Pico Boulevard, you’ll find a bunch of taquerias and soul food spots, and Little Ethiopia on Fairfax Avenue offers many traditional eateries. Other notable spots for folks in the neighborhood include Park La Brea apartment community and historic Oxford Square.

For post-work food and fun, check out Met Him at a Bar for Italian or Pips on La Brea for some jazz entertainment. Mid-Wilshire is the perfect intersection of art, culture, and history in Los Angeles.

5. Culver City Arts District

Art lovers unite in the Culver City Arts District neighborhood. If you’re a young professional artist, or hoping to work with some, this place cannot be ignored. As expected, it’s home to several art galleries, including the Billis Williams Gallery and the Walter Maciel Gallery.

The neighborhood is also considered one of the top 10 art districts in all of America. Aside from the art venues, the stores, restaurants, and coffee bars are also curated to fit the aesthetic of the district, which makes living there a totally immersive experience.

Finding the right neighborhood in Los Angeles for your career

Art, culture, and diversity can be found in all of our best neighborhoods in LA for young professionals. Whether you like the faster pace of Downtown or something smaller like the Culver City Arts District, variety and fun can be found in every single place. If you want to expand your mind and your palate, consider Los Angeles as a place to pursue your career.

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partner sites and their real estate listings in Los Angeles. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you.