Thinking about a move to Los Angeles? Singles, young professionals, families, and retirees alike can enjoy all the City of Angels has to offer—from beachfront living and convenient amenities, to amazing food and a rich arts and. culture scene. Check out the five best suburbs of Los Angeles!
Glendale
Photo via @myglendale
- Home Price: $639,700 median purchase price; $1,355 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of California cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Glendale is one of the best places to live in LA! Situated on the eastern edge of the San Fernando Valley between Downtown LA and Burbank, Glendale residents don’t need to go far to find great jobs, high-quality schools, or fun things to do. This suburb is well-known for its thriving arts scene, diverse array of restaurants, and superb educational system, Glendale Unified School District. Young professionals working in creative and media industries can find opportunities at companies like DreamWorks Animation and ABC Inc—two of the best companies in Glendale. Whether you’re moving to LA for work or to enjoy your golden years, give Glendale a look!
Things to Do in Glendale
See art and science meet at the Museum of Neon Art, where classic neon signs are displayed alongside modern kinetic sculptures. Go for a jog on the gorgeous trails at the Deukmejian Wilderness Park, or check out the historic Stone Barn Nature Center that sits on the grounds. Learn about animals from all over the world at exhibits like Elephants of Asia or appreciate native and endangered plants as you stroll through the botanical gardens at the nearby Los Angeles Zoo. Feel the Old West frontier come alive while browsing the Cowboy Gallery and other exhibits at the Autry Museum of the American West. Stop by Foxy’s Restaurant for Southwest-inspired dishes like Eggs Cordon Bleu, The Big Turk sandwich, and Barbacoa. Head to Carousel Restaurant for live bellydancing performances and authentic Armenian dishes like Khash-Khash Kebab or Meza Zahleh. Sample Shish Kabob, Chicken Soltani, and Zereshk Polo at Raffi’s Place. Or unwind with a Morning Joe, Mangoes in Space, or Marooned at Sea beer at Brewyard Beer Company.
Irvine
Photo via @cityofirvine
- Home Price: $718,800 median purchase price; $1,997 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of California cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Irvine is one of the best places to live in Los Angeles and the U.S. for good reason. As one of the healthiest cities to live in America, residents have access to world-class healthcare from medical centers like Kaiser Permanente Orange County-Irvine Medical Center and UCI Medical Center. Residents enjoy living a calm and quiet life in this friendly and safe community that offers many trails and parks for hiking or jogging. This suburb also has many coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques nearby, perfect for dates or hanging out with friends. Education is taken seriously in Irvine, due to the presence of the University of California-Irvine and top-rated schools with the Irvine Unified School District. Additionally, the city’s growing job market may interest young professionals, with the presence of companies like Blizzard Entertainment—creator of popular video games like Overwatch and World of Warcraft—one of the best companies to work for in Irvine.
Things to Do in Irvine
Shop at the Farmers Market, fly 400 feet in the air on the Great Park Balloon, or stroll around the Orange County Great Park. Tune into guest speakers or visit exhibitions featuring local artists at the Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA). If you’re looking for fun, family-friendly things to do in Irvine, let your kids role-play as bakers, firemen, and more at Pretend City Children’s Museum. Or view Irvine’s skyline from the Ferris wheel, shop your favorite brands, or attend an improv show all in one place at Irvine Spectrum Center. Dig into breakfast classics like Huevos Rancheros or Chicken & Waffles while enjoying a Dulce De Leche Latte at Poached Neighborhood Kitchen, one of the best brunch places in Irvine. Munch on Japanese-French sandwiches, pastries, and dishes like Azuki Cream and an Onigiri Set at Cream Pan. Start your meal off with a Fuji Apple Garden Party salad before diving into dishes like Bibimbap, Thai Curry, or Loco Moco at Krave Asian Fusion Restaurant. Or expand your palette with Cuban dishes like Paella A La Habana, Lechon Asado, or Plantain Crusted Chicken at Habana.
Redondo Beach
Photo via @visionsbytombertolotti
- Home Price: $775,300 median purchase price; $1,800 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 54% of California cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Like most coastal cities, Redondo Beach is well-known for its plethora of outdoor amenities. But the city’s 15 parks, several recreational harbors, and public beaches only scratch the surface of what makes it one of the top places to live in Los Angeles! The shopping, dining, and active arts and entertainment scene ensures there’s always something to do close to home. Not to mention, with its quieter lifestyle and great schools in the award-winning Redondo Beach Unified Public School District, Redondo Beach is one of the best LA suburbs for families. It’s easy to get around town by walking, biking, or using the Beach City Transit, Metro C Line, or the city’s bus system. Residents also have convenient access to Pacific Coast Highway, CA-107, and I-104, making the suburb a great settling spot for young professionals who plan to commute into Los Angeles proper.
Things to Do in Redondo Beach
Grab your sunscreen and go for a swim or play sand volleyball at Seaside Lagoon. Go whale-watching or jam out to live music by the ocean at the Redondo Beach Pier. Watch a lecture from the Distinguished Speaker Series, enjoy a live performance from the Los Angeles Ballet, or get tickets to a concert at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Take a ride on the Glass Bottom Boat—a semi-submersible viewing boat that lets passengers get an up-close look at underwater life. Sit down with an order of Ceviche of White Fish, Salmon Carpaccio, or Mahi Mahi on the grill at Bluesalt Fish Grill. Dine seaside and order dishes like Pacific Red Snapper, Swordfish Steak, or Maryland Style Crab Cakes at Old Tony’s On The Pier. Dive into Mushroom Lasagna, share a Margherita Pizza with friends or family, and finish off with Almond Cake for dessert at Fatto a Mano, The Pasta Shop. Or indulge in award-winning BBQ dishes like Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Beef Ribs at Willingham’s World Champion BBQ.
Santa Monica
Photo via @mdcshoots
- Home Price: $1,086,300 median purchase price; $1,626 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 7% of California cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
If you’re an outdoor lover and looking to fulfill your dream of living near the coast, consider relocating to Santa Monica. Residents enjoy a laid-back, more upscale lifestyle with the convenience of amenities like restaurants, boutiques, and a lively art scene. Enjoy the stunning views of the Los Angeles coastline at Santa Monica Pier or watch the sunset by the beach every day. As one of the most sustainable cities in the country, residents can get anywhere with green options like the Metro, Big Blue Bus, and the E Line, which connects Downtown LA to Santa Monica. Looking to grow your career in the tech industry? Santa Monica has a growing demand for young professionals to work in the Silicon Beach area. With picturesque views, entertainment for all ages, and a flourishing tech network, it’s no wonder Santa Monica is such a popular LA suburb.
Things to Do in Santa Monica
Kick off your day with a morning workout or compete with your friends to see who can do the most pull-ups at Muscle Beach. Check out the Farmers Market, watch a show by a street performer, or shop your favorite luxury brands at 3rd Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. Set up a picnic, visit the rose garden, or explore the 26 acres of land at Palisades Park. Enjoy an evening of blues and jazz music at Harvelle’s Santa Monica—the oldest live music venue on the Westside. Have breakfast with your family at Huckleberry Cafe and try a Roasted Mushroom Scramble, Avocado Tartine, or Huckleberry Breakfast, with a cup of Macchiato. For a blend of European and Mediterranean cuisine, try dishes like the Braised Lamb Sandwich, Burrata Margherita pizza, and Moroccan Couscous Royal at Massilia. For a more casual scene, enjoy Caribbean and Latin fusion specialties like Coconut Fried Chicken, Jerk Chicken Enchiladas, and Salmon Negril at Cha Cha Chicken. Or reserve a table to dine on Free-Range Bone-In Chicken Marsala, Scampi Rice Pilaf, or Filet Mignon & Lobster Tail at Chez Jay, an iconic steak and seafood spot.
Torrance
Photo via @torrancemarriott
- Home Price: $652,600 median purchase price; $1,512 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of California cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located next to Redondo Beach and just over a half-hour drive from DTLA, Torrance is one of the most affordable Los Angeles suburbs. Life is calm and quiet in Torrance, compared to more popular tourist areas like Long Beach. Residents can explore plenty of nearby parks, diverse cuisine, and the local arts and entertainment scene. This friendly and tight-knit community is also known as one of the healthiest cities in America, with residents relying on top-rated healthcare facilities like Torrance Memorial Medical Center and COR Healthcare Medical Associates. And for young professionals seeking to build their careers in the LA metro, the headquarters of American Honda Motor and its luxury division, Acura, are some of the top companies to work for in Torrance.
Things to Do in Torrance
Take a family outing to help with habitat restoration or marvel at the hundreds of animals living at Madrona Marsh. Admire Japanese architecture at the Pine Wind Japanese Garden, tour the Contemporary Torrance Art Museum, or catch a live theatre performance or concert at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Browse through a collection of unique jewelry, furniture, home décor, and clothing at the Torrance Antique Street Faire. Get your retail therapy in at the largest mall in the western United States featuring 250+ stores, and dine at the best restaurants at Del Amo Fashion Center. Grab brunch with your family and order a Pesto Turkey Panini, Cabrillo Focaccia Sandwich, or a sweet treat like a Petit Four from Torrance Bakery. Chow down on American comfort foods like the Chipotle BBQ Chophouse Burger, Pappardelle Bolognese, or Tuscan Sea Bass at the place that strives to make you feel at home, Local Kitchen. Looking for a lighter option? Choose a Mango Chicken Bowl, a Spicy Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl, or a Chimichurri Steak Sandwich at Lemonadela. Or dig into dishes like the Franciscan cut Prime Rib, Grilled Veal Liver, and Australian Lobster Tail before you join a karaoke session with friends at The San Franciscan.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
