Los Angeles Real Estate: Desirable East Side Neighborhoods

In Los Angeles, the traditional definition of the word "affordable" must be abandoned when searching for housing. If you are relocating to the Los Angeles area from a mid-sized city or small town, the first thing you should do is let go of what "affordable" means in places other than Los Angeles.

"Affordable" in The Midwest and The South is $650 for a nice one bedroom apartment. In Los Angeles, $600 per month will land you in a roach infested downtown flop house or sharing a one bedroom apartment with three roommates. So, what are you willing to put up with? What kind of nightlife do you enjoy? What is your diet like and can you survive without a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's near by? Do you depend on the amenities and safety of the suburbs?(Schools and family oriented information will not be covered in this article, because as a resident and educator, I would NEVER suggest moving children into this adult oriented metropolis) Families should head for what is known as 'The West Side' and unfortunately there are no 'affordable' neighborhoods out west. When a single person or couple is determining what is "affordable" in Los Angeles, they must consider location, amenities and crime rates.

The following breakdown of neighborhoods within Los Angeles County and Hollywood provides insight to the eclectic "affordable" sections of town:

Looking for an affordable neighborhood might lead you to Koreatown, where a large studio apartment averages about $750 per month. A low rent for Los Angeles, however keep in mind that there are few to no grocers in the area and crime rates are high. The population is mostly composed of Korean and Mexican families and amenities are limited to the needs and interests of the ethnic communities. However, the 10 Freeway and Downtown are very convenient to this location.

Although it is trying to gentrify, Downtown Los Angeles is not for the faint of heart. High end housing is available as well as artist's lofts and studios. Most "affordable" spaces rent for $800 and up and are located on rather frightening streets filled with homeless people and the underbelly of society. There are no grocers and night life is limited to high end restaurants and a smattering of 'hipster' bars. The old Pabst Brewery has become a thriving artist's colony that offers housing from $500 and up, however you must be a working artist and waiting lists are years long.

North of Downtown is Echo Park; a slowly gentrifying, traditionally Mexican neighborhood that is still affordable. Rents begin around $750 per month for a dingy studio and advance to $900- $1000 for a clean one bedroom. A recent influx of musicians, artists and young professionals are mixing quite well within a safer urban neighborhood. Grocers exist and a bounty of affordable restaurants, boutiques and bars litter the streets. The central park, 'Echo Park' is a decent place to take a walk and visit local festivals during daylight hours, but do not kid yourself, the water is polluted and it is an inner city park. Very convenient to the 10 freeway.

Just east of Echo Park is Silverlake, a completely gentrified, multicultural, gay friendly, artsy, entertainment industry enclave. Rents can start at $900 for a studio and from there the sky is the limit. It is safe, clean and absolutely pregnant with amenities. This affordable neighborhood boasts great grocers, boutiques, restaurants, coffee houses and health and fitness services, in a walk-able neighborhood atmosphere. Very close to the 5 freeway. Nearby is the emerging Atwater Village, check it out for slightly lower rents.

East of Silverlake is Los Feliz where rents vary from studios at $800 to one bedrooms starting at $1100. This east Hollywood neighborhood is the higher end sister to Silverlake. Industry professionals and a handful of artists and students make this traditionally Armenian neighborhood vital and young. Vermont Avenue functions as an exciting and trendy Main Street. A bit of a logistical nightmare if you need a freeway, but if you work in Hollywood, you are singing!

Hollywood is not technically part of Los Angeles County, but it is close by and can offer "affordable" housing. This densely populated buzzing area offers rents from studios at $800 to one bedroom from $1100. If you are trying to break into the biz and love nightlife, this is the place to live. Hundreds of trendy, wanna-be filled bars, restaurants and clubs are the scene. But don't be too dazzled by the lights, crime is fairly high and the streets are dirty and often populated by sleaze, but the 101 freeway is always close by. That's Hollywood!