A renter's guide to Los Angeles

Home to four million people and counting, the city of angels attracts renters from around the world, and for good reason. It’s one of the cultural centers of the United States and home to more museums and theaters than any other city in America, making it the perfect place for creatives and young professionals.  Los Angeles proper boasts more than 105 museums, 225 theaters, 55 magnificent structures by the world’s top architects and 16 of the world’s most beautiful gardens.

The living options aren’t half bad either. Whether you’re moving to Los Angeles from out-of-state or relocating from another city in California, we’re here to give you some advice on the city’s more unique and vibrant neighborhoods.

The eight best neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Atwater Village

Known for its small town feel, local businesses and shops reign supreme in this endearing section of Los Angeles. Atwater Village is definitely thought of as one of LA’s “coolest” and best neighborhoods, right next to the L.A. River and dotted with unique and historic homes you’d expect to see in a quiet suburb. 

Atwater village residents with big appetites rave about homestyle eateries like Tacos Villa Corona, Dune, Kaldi Coffee, and Proof Bakery, offering an alternative to larger chains and relief from the sometimes pricey dining scene in downtown Los Angeles.

As far as shopping goes, Atwater Village offers some of the most unique opportunities for those looking to outfit their new homes with that special touch. Goodies, a new showroom on Glendale Blvd offers one-of-a-kind home furnishings  with “nothing over $25.” Hard to believe in the city of angels but true! Just a stone's throw down the street is deKor, another hip showroom filled with rugs, accessories, and vintage/custom furnishings.

Westlake North

Westlake North sits just south of Silverlake, close to Echo Park and Koreatown in central Los Angeles, and is quickly becoming an up-and-coming area for artists and young families to call home. The neighborhood is one of the few that gives you downtown access without downtown crowds. 

For the history buffs, living in Westlake North puts you right in the heart of one of Los Angeles’ first residential areas, complete with streetcar tracks like something out of an old movie. In recent years the neighborhood has seen a resurgence driven by an emerging art scene and a renewed interest in the area’s origins. It’s not uncommon to see old landmarks and infrastructure like Macarthur Park and Lewis House converted to art and new gathering spaces as you walk down the street. The area also mixes classic dining establishments with new eateries putting a fresh spin on cuisine. 

This is one of our favorite areas of LA, for its luxe apartments and affordability. We partner with incredible apartment communities, like The Asbury Apartments, to offer security deposit insurance to new renters in Westlake North. Not only do these renters save thousands by skipping their security deposit, but rent in Westlake North is about 32% less than the citywide average for LA.  Renters considering a move to Westlake North have their pick of different living options, with a wide variety of single-family home, condo, and apartment options to choose from. 

Venice

Los Angeles has its fair share of beaches: Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, the shores of Malibu, but none are like Venice Beach. Venice Beach is one of the LA hotspots that attracts millions of visitors each year, but residents get to enjoy walking the beach year-round with over two miles of boardwalk and a 1,300 foot concrete fishing pier. Venice has a distinct architectural style, but is known for its classic beach bungalows and minimalist new-builds, giving renters ample opportunity to find a totally unique single-family home. 

This warm beach town also has a sophisticated side. Electric lodge Performing Arts Center gives Venice residents access to a theater, dance studio, rehearsal space, and even a commercial kitchen. Not only do they put on events in these spaces but they also offer year-round workshops and community classes.

Downtown LA

This is the L.A. that makes the news: the L.A. you see on TV and in the movies. This is where you can catch the L.A Philharmonic inside the famed Walt Disney Concert Hall, or soak in the scenes at a Lakers game at the Staples Center. Downtown L.A. has long been a place to visit, but it’s also a unique and lovely place to live. 

Your daily routine will be simplified by Downtown LA, which is one of the few places in the city where we can say confidently that you’ll never need a car. You can run all of your errands within walking or biking distance. Become a member at one of the many museums in the area, eat at the city’s best restaurants, and of course, there are movie theaters everywhere. 

Renters in Downtown LA live in the city’s most incredible luxury apartment buildings, like OLive Downtown, located ner in the Arts District. Plus, this apartment community offers renters the chance to use Rhino’s security deposit insurance to save money at move-in.

Pasadena

Old Pasadena is just 10 minutes away from downtown Los Angeles and close to distinctive San Gabriel and burb-y Glendale.  Historic buildings and architecture in Pasadena are perfectly preserved, with Spanish and Victorian influences. You can see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Millard House on your morning coffee run, or take a driving tour to see other famous buildings such as Pasadena City Hall.  

Pasadena is for nature-lovers as much as it is for architecture enthusiasts. Pasadena residents can hike up the Cobb Estate Trailhead or spend an afternoon at 120 acres of botanical gardens adjacent to the Huntington Library.  Pasadena Park Place is one of the many Pasadena homes that you can make yours, and they offer Rhino!

Hollywood

Hollywood is notorious for being one of LA’s most expensive neighborhoods if you don’t budget smartly. Make sure you’re on the lookout for rent concessions, opportunities to use security deposit insurance, or anything else that’ll help you save a few bucks on cost of living. 

However, for the price of rent, you get access to the greater Hollywood area including West Hollywood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, NoHo, and WeHo, and their renowned nightlife.  Dive into the social scene along the Sunset Strip and make new friends at renowned hotspots like The Roxy, The State Social House, and more. 

If you’re looking to live among the stars, look no further. Check out the Celebrity Homes & Rodeo Drive Shopping tour for a glimpse at how A-listers live, or hit up the Griffith Observatory for an entirely different type of stargazing. LA hikers also know that the quickest way to the Hollywood sign is to hike from the observatory.

Santa Monica

Just north of Venice and West of Mar Vista, Santa Monica gives you the chance to move to the idyllic beach town of your dreams. And it’s walkable! Renters who decide to call Santa Monica home get to peel back a layer of the tourist trap that is the pier and the beach for more down-to-earth pleasures, like LA county’s best farmer’s market. The kids can soak up the nostalgia at the Playland Arcade while you indulge in the area’s cultural+arts scene at hotspots like Bergamot or L&M arts.

Santa Monica is another LA area that can be a little on the pricier side, with an average rent of $3,709, but that’s the price of waking up beachside every day. 

Los Feliz

Two walkable neighborhoods in a row! They said it was impossible for Los Angeles! Just east of Hollywood and north of Silver Lake, Los Feliz is an area wholly devoted to the city’s art scene. Los Feliz has something for all artists, regardless of if you’re an art aficionado, budding film scholar, or in the market for your very first paintbrush. 

Nestled next to Griffith Park, between Hollywood and Atwater, Los Feliz is home to countless assorted shops, bars, and restaurants as well as easy access to top attractions like the Greek Theater. Average rent in Los Feliz hovers around $1,985, but Rhino partners with a few incredible apartments to bring down move-in costs for renters who want to call Los Feliz home.  

Los Angeles is known mostly as a tourist destination, but there are countless unique opportunities to turn the city of angels into a true home. Whether it’s laying roots by the beach, or underneath the Hollywood sign, or in the middle of Main St, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. LA gives you access to the things you want from the best coast.  

If you’re looking for deposit-free options to take advantage of in L.A, check out Rhino’s profile on seven no-deposit apartments with openings today, and feel free to visit the Rhino blog for our living recommendations in cities across the United States.