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Best Places to Rent a Home in Los Angeles

Thinking of renting in Los Angeles? The City of Angels is a great place to live, thanks to its amazing weather, excellent outdoor recreation, and tons of things to do. Check out these five best places to rent a home in Los Angeles!

Encino

Outside shot of modern apartment patios

Photo via @lindleyaptsla

  • Home Price: $1,475 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 44%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

If you’re looking for an affordable neighborhood to live in LA with a small-town feel and big-city amenities, consider renting in Encino! Located in the San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood offers renters a mixture of modern apartments, spacious condos, and luxury homes. Encino is known for its tight-knit community, often hosting local events to meet your neighbors like the Taste of Encino and the Encino Family Festival. Even without community events, residents will have plenty to do thanks to Encino Commons, the neighborhood’s downtown district that’s full of unique restaurants, boutiques, and theaters. And Encino‘s ample green spaces—like Encino Park, Encino Reservoir, Sepulveda Garden Center, and more—are perfect for residents who love spending time outside!

Things to Do in Encino

Enjoy an afternoon picnic or challenge yourself to a game of basketball with friends at Encino Park. Let your dogs play on the obstacle course or roam off-leash at the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park. Head out to Sherman Oaks Castle Park to play arcade games or practice your baseball swing at the batting cages. Become a member at the Braemar Country Club and schedule a tee time on the 27-hole golf course. Drop the kids off for practice at Balboa Sports Center to play flag football or volleyball. Start your morning with Eggs Benedict, a Greek Omelette, or Sunrise Sandwich at The Nook. Feast on Falafel, Greek Salad, or Veggie Sabich at Burekas Plus. Dine at the Coral Tree Cafe and grab a Grilled Chicken Panini, Turkey Melt, or Bistro Steak. Or spend an evening out on the town at Surly Goat, where you can order cocktails like a Monkey Mai Tai or Dublin Donkey.

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Sawtelle

  • Home Price: $1,757 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 65% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 81%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

Sawtelle is a great place to rent a home in Los Angeles thanks to its affordable houses and trendy apartments. Residents looking for outdoor recreation and beautiful views of the ocean will feel at home with Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach close by. But the biggest draw to this family-friendly LA neighborhood might be Sawtelle Boulevard—a street with a slew of culturally diverse restaurants—and Japantown, Sawtelle’s go-to area for Asian-inspired boutiques, restaurants, and dessert shops. Plus, with great schools like New Horizon School Westside and Nora Sterry Elementary School, you can find top-rated education opportunities in this LA neighborhood.

Things to Do in Sawtelle

Show off your 360 at the skate park, swim in the outdoor pool, enroll the kiddos in camps, and more at Stoner Recreation Center. Let the little ones rummage through comic books, artwork, toys, and Japanese pop culture collectibles at Giant Robot. Book tickets to the latest action movies or foreign films at The Landmark. Sing along with your favorite Broadway shows at the Musical Theatre Guild. Or stop by the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble to watch contemporary and reinvented classical plays. Get your day started with a Cold Brew, Cappuccino, or Chai Latte at Federal Coffee. Fill up on Mexican favorites like Torta, Tostada Supreme, or Chile Relleno at Don Antonio’s. Savor dishes like a Sausage Pizza, Cali Burger, or Napoli Sandwich at The Nickel Mine. Or kick back and relax in the beer garden with a Watermelon Sugar cocktail or Sparkling Rose at Sorry Not Sorry.

Silver Lake

Front view of a ranch style home with lawn

Photo via @lahomesbyangel

  • Home Price: $1,380 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 55% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 70%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Considered the “Brooklyn of Los Angeles,” Silver Lake is an eclectic neighborhood between Hollywood and Downtown LA. With activities like the Silver Lake Farmers Market and Silverlake Flea, as well as Sunset Junction‘s boutiques and eateries and outdoor Silver Lake Picture Show, and more, residents are sure to find plenty to do in Silver Lake! Plus, this Los Angeles neighborhood wraps around its namesake reservoir, providing Silver Lake residents scenic walking trails, dog parks, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Renters searching for a home in Silver Lake will find a variety of Mid-Century Modern houses, spacious ranches, and apartments along Sunset Blvd.

Things to Do in Silver Lake

Fly a kite, toss a frisbee, or enjoy a picnic with scenic views of the Silver Lake Reservoir at Silver Lake Meadow. Catch a touchdown pass or play other sports like volleyball or baseball at the Bellevue Recreation Center. Snap a photo or take a walk on one of the most photographed staircases in the world, Micheltorena Stairs. Attend events like Gay Pride Connection or Mother’s Day Connection Celebration at the Los Angeles Museum of Love. Stop by Dodger Stadium to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) play a game of baseball. Shop for women’s clothing, jewelry, or beanies at locally-owned Wildfang. Order a Whitefish Bagel or Trout Bagel with a Sunset Cultures Kombucha for breakfast at Maury’s bagel shop. Try a Spicy Tuna Bowl, The Garlic Truffle, or a Pork Bowl at Silverlake Ramen. Get a plate of Pad Thai, Tom Yum Hot & Sour Lemongrass Soup, or Panang Red Curry at Same Same Thai. Or hit up the Silverlake Lounge for happy hour and sip on classic cocktails like a Tequila Sunrise, Irish Mule, or Dry Martini.

Van Nuys

  • Home Price: $1,209 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 72%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Want to rent a home in the heart of the Valley? Singles, young professionals, families, and retirees alike call this tucked-away LA neighborhood home! Thanks to its distance from Downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys boasts its own airport and residents can use public transportation like the Orange Line to get around. Old-fashioned eateries, thrift stores, and flea markets all help show Van Nuys’ retro charm. Here, residents can get away from Downtown LA and settle into a variety of rental options, from newly constructed apartments and townhouses, to historical bungalows and updated ranches.

Things to Do in Van Nuys

Find your favorite trail in scenic bike paths surrounding Lake Balboa at Anthony C. Beilenson Park. Enjoy meditation events and see several species of flowers, plants, beautiful ponds, fountains, and more at the Japanese Garden. Make your way to the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center for martial arts training or other fitness programs. Visit The Great Wall of Los Angeles to see images of iconic figures like Rosie the Riveter or Elvis Presley. Spend an afternoon with friends axe throwing or paint splashing at the Break Room LA. Sign up for an introductory archery class at the Woodley Park Archery Range. Stop by Oasis Bar & Restaurant for brunch and grab a Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, Churro French Toast, or Steak & Eggs. Grab a seat at Lusy’s Mediterranean Cafe and savor dishes like a Gyros Plate, Chicken Shish Kebab Wrap, or Falafel Bites. Or chow down on Mom’s Fried Ribs, Shrimp Po’ Boy, or Bourbon Banana Foster Pudding at Mom’s Haus.

Westwood

Outside view of modern apartment complex with striking design

Photo via @888hilgard

  • Home Price: $1,832 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 96% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 69%
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families

Searching for a neighborhood in LA close to a major university? Consider living in Westwood! With the UCLA campus in the neighborhood, Westwood is an excellent choice for graduates and young professionals to call home—as well as families with older children. Because of its proximity to affluent Los Angeles neighborhoods like Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and Brentwood, Westwood is a competitive rental spot with charming single-family homes, townhouses, and high-rise apartments. Westwood’s charm is also displayed in places like Wilshire Boulevard—which hosts some of the oldest buildings in LA—and Westwood Village, a Mediterranean-style shopping and entertainment district since the 1920s.

Things to Do in Westwood

Visit UCLA’s Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden to see plants from around the world. View contemporary works of art from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and more at The Fowler Museum or head to the Hammer Museum to listen to a lunchtime art talk or poetry reading. Support local and bring some friends along to Westwood Village Farmers’ Market! Grab tickets to an action movie or a family-friendly film at Regency Theatres. Indulge in a Charcoal Chicken, Roasted Cauliflower Steak, or Smoked Brisket at Broxton Brewery & Public House. Enjoy Mexican favorites like Chicken Tacos or a Mushroom Quesadilla at Tacos 1986. Feast on Fettuccine Bolognese, Spaghetti and Meatballs, or Minestrone Soup at Skylight Gardens. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a Nutella Ice Cream Sandwich or pint of Passion Fruit Ice Cream at Saffron & Rose Ice Cream.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

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