Where to live: Work in Hollywood/Mid-Wilshire, young, outdoorsy, sick of the car (Berkeley: hardwood floors)

[qwerty2010]

Hello, good people!

I'm been mulling over where to move and I'm still not sure. I've spent some time on craigslist, spent some time in the car, but I could really use some advice from y'all.

I'm new to LA, currently living in Palms, and I'm looking to move in with a friend and we don't have a good idea of where.

Lots of details:
- I work in Mid-Wilshire, he works in Hollywood. There's a possibility that his work might be moving to the UCLA area, but I don't know the likelihood of that.
- I really don't like a daily commute in the car. Public transportation is fine... but I'd prefer if I don't have to transfer. I'd rather walk a bit than transfer. If we could live near the red line, that'd be perfect. I don't know if that means Chinatown (could we walk there from Echo Park?) or Koreatown or Universal or NoHo or what. Biking to work is an option (for both of us), as long as it's safe and we can find a way to freshen up. We both used to in our prior cities (SF and DC), but we're having a hard time imagining enjoying it in LA.
- We're looking for a 2 bdr, under $1800
- I really like being active outdoors - it's how I deal with LA. Right now, I live near a nice park and can get a good little jog in before or after work. Living near the ocean would be amazing, but it's not an option with our lack of love for driving or our budget. So, I'd really like to be near some greenery and trails (either hiking/running or biking) in some other form. Runyon, Griffith, and Elysian all look reasonable to me but I haven't spent much time there... and I also don't know how unpleasant those places are during the summer.
- He likes the idea of an older place, hardwood floors are a must, and keeps on mentioning how he's always wanted to live in a loft...
- I like the idea of amenities, especially if we end up not as close to green spaces as I'd like. I really like the idea of being able to work out in my building. Weights and a pool sound neat. And we like cooking, so a nice kitchen would be kind of awesome.
- I love, love, love having a porch. I don't have a great view, but it's still refreshing. I sleep out there occasionally, I grow herbs, and I just unwind. I like being up a bit; I can't quite imagine living on the first floor because of how much I love looking out on LA, even if the view is a little ugly.
- He's not digging Palms because it's too sleepy. We're looking for a young place, not sterile, but bars aren't of a particular interest either.
- But not too loud. Hollywood Blvd is too loud and gritty for me to want to live in that part of Hollywood, though I haven't spent much time in the neighborhoods.
- We kind of want a yuppie "green" area - you know, we're the vegetarian, composting folks who march in pride parades. But we're professionals - not hardcore hipster/artsy folks, although we'd be happy to be surrounded by those types.
- We're white, but preferably looking for a more diverse area than West LA.
- Love the idea of a walkable area.
- We're not afraid of some homeless - he's friends with the ones on his block - but as a young female who grew up in the 'burbs, my idea of feeling safe is a little different from his...
- Love the idea of (mostly) giving up the car - that is, being able to walk/bike to Trader Joe's/ neighborhood market/ whatever, bike or bus/train to work, hop on longer bike trails during the weekend, etc.

He is still pining for Berkeley. Short of relocating up north, what do y'all suggest?

I obviously don't expect all of these wishes to be fulfilled. Balancing a short commute and a good neighborhood is hard enough. Add in two people's somewhat contradictory desires and a limited budget and things become more difficult. And so I turn to city-data...

Silver Lake? Los Feliz? West of LA Live (what's that called, anyway?)? NoHo? Echo Park? Hollywood? WeHo? Culver?

Many, many thanks!

[qwerty2010]

And if there are any specific site/rental company suggestions other than CL, I'd love to hear them.