Where are the gay friendly neighbourhoods Los Angeles? (Long Beach, Pasadena: apartments, condos)

[BreaOC]

because [Long Beach] is too dangerous...

I have to disagree. While the original posters will have to visit to get an idea of what they personally think of the areas, I have always felt safe in both the downtown area of Long Beach and the Belmont Shores area. Both are generally very busy with locals and tourists, and they are probably the safest areas of the city of Long Beach. But again, people inquiring on relocation, PLEASE visit before you move, you can't let anonymous people online tell you what is the best option for you.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by QAF

Life in Denver, CO has worn thin on me and I need a change. I'd like to try LA for a year or two and see what happens. All cities have problems and annoying people but I have grown weary of the weather, people, and the dreadfully dull gay scene in the Mile High city.

I'd like to try LA for a year or two and see what happens. Would anyone be so kind as to steer me toward affordable gay or at least gay friendly neighborhoods in the LA area? I am aware of West Hollywood but would like to know about other areas.

Is there much of an art community within the gay communities of LA? Apparently in Denver there are no openly gay painters or artists...sorry, sarcasm and mild bitterness today with the gray skies and snow.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

if you want the real experience of los angeles in a gay setting, you DEFINITELY want the west hollywood/hollywood area. silverlake is also very closeby and artsy. silverlake is cheaper than west hollywood and is also close enough to weho. there is also "miracle mile" area, although these may be more expensive now due to the grove. some of the best things to enjoy in the area are relatively FREE, like walking through the Grove, Third ST Promenade, will rogers beach (affectionately called "ginger rogers beach"), el coyote nights,etc. you can take the #4 bus down sta monica bl, then sta monica blue bus to the beach if you don;t want to mess with parking or you may park on one of the residential streets (although it might be a hike). you may DM me if you'd like more info.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by FellowTraveler

But Long Beach is not a place for someone with no car. A lot of people I know in Long Beach go right from house to car, never setting foot on the pavement right outside their own house, because it is too dangerous. And in Long Beach the dangerous and the good areas change from block to block. Long Beach is only for savvy individuals with cars who know the terrain (read: locals). It is not for innocent young visitors with no car and no idea what they are getting themselves into.

Not really. Anywhere within a few blocks of the shore is fine in long beach.. the only bad area near the shore you dont want to walk into is north of downtown, otherwise, you're fine all the way down the coast to seal beach. stay south of broadway and you're fine all the way around, and i really dont have a problem walking all the way to 7th or anaheim in most places. either way, you dont really need to head up that way as grocery stores, gas stations, food, etc can be found on ocean, broadway, or 2nd street throughout longbeach.

coincidentally, that whole stretch is where most of the gay population in LB live

[FellowTraveler]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Not really. Anywhere within a few blocks of the shore is fine in long beach.. the only bad area near the shore you dont want to walk into is north of downtown, otherwise, you're fine all the way down the coast to seal beach. stay south of broadway and you're fine all the way around, and i really dont have a problem walking all the way to 7th or anaheim in most places. either way, you dont really need to head up that way as grocery stores, gas stations, food, etc can be found on ocean, broadway, or 2nd street throughout longbeach.

coincidentally, that whole stretch is where most of the gay population in LB live

Well the gay areas are usually the best areas of any city

I will have to defer to you and the other poster who responded to my message, as you guys seem to be more familiar with Long Beach than I am. I have visited the area several times, but more for specific events rather than just to walk around. Incidentally, I did go to the gay pride event in Long Beach and it was almost as good as the one in West Hollywood (though it seemed more geared to promoting gay-themed businesses than to promoting a sense of community, as in WeHo, and hence seemed a bit shallow).

My overall point was just that while Long Beach may be an ok place to live (in fact I know people who live there and are quite happy with it), there are two factors that make it not the best for the OP. One, he doesn't have a car, which would make it very inconvenient for him to get out to WeHo for a Friday night of clubbing. Two, he is a visitor to the city and will probably only live here for a short time. He is looking to "experience" LA. I wanted to steer him away from Long Beach because, honestly, if I were only going to live here for a year or so and I wanted to experience everything that LA has to offer, I wouldn't want to live in Long Beach. I would want WeHo or somewhere else on the Westside. A person who is moving to LA from another continent is most likely looking for action and excitement, and that is where all the action is. And not having a car is a huge issue, as he would be stuck in Long Beach and missing out on all the fun.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by FellowTraveler

Well the gay areas are usually the best areas of any city

I will have to defer to you and the other poster who responded to my message, as you guys seem to be more familiar with Long Beach than I am. I have visited the area several times, but more for specific events rather than just to walk around. Incidentally, I did go to the gay pride event in Long Beach and it was almost as good as the one in West Hollywood (though it seemed more geared to promoting gay-themed businesses than to promoting a sense of community, as in WeHo, and hence seemed a bit shallow).

My overall point was just that while Long Beach may be an ok place to live (in fact I know people who live there and are quite happy with it), there are two factors that make it not the best for the OP. One, he doesn't have a car, which would make it very inconvenient for him to get out to WeHo for a Friday night of clubbing. Two, he is a visitor to the city and will probably only live here for a short time. He is looking to "experience" LA. I wanted to steer him away from Long Beach because, honestly, if I were only going to live here for a year or so and I wanted to experience everything that LA has to offer, I wouldn't want to live in Long Beach. I would want WeHo or somewhere else on the Westside. A person who is moving to LA from another continent is most likely looking for action and excitement, and that is where all the action is. And not having a car is a huge issue, as he would be stuck in Long Beach and missing out on all the fun.

agreed. i lived in both west hlywd and long beach, and much preferred weho over long beach. i don't know the age of the OP, but the long beach crowd tends to be a little older than the weho crowd. getting from lb to weho with a car on the weekends was a drag, espec driving back at night and looking for parking once i got back.

[bhcompy]

thats fine, but LB also has its share of gay bars and clubs as well, so its not like theres nothing to do if thats your idea of a saturday night. la area has more to do on the whole, but ive always found lb a bit more down to earth and friendly. really depends on what you're lookin for

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Pretty much all of Los Angeles is gay friendly. Just look for a place that you like and call it home.

[LizzyNola]

Almost any area in LA is "gay" friendly. Gay folks live all over the place and they are not restricted to just a few areas.

West Hollywood is a great area, or at least an area to check out until you have your Los Angeles bearings, then move on if you do not like it. However, you will have learned a lot and will be able to make good decisions.

Good luck!

[vivabigpapi]

Originally Posted by semphermea

Hi there.

I am a 23 year old guy from Scotland and I intend on spending the summer living and working in L.A. I will be arriving in June and shall be staying until October/November. I am also gay and would be looking for both a job and a room to rent whilst I am in the City.

I am aware that L.A is vast in size and very different from other US cities with regards to it's high crime rate and poor transit system. I would appreciate some advice on any 'gay friendly' neighbourhoods and some advice on how easy/difficult it will be to find work in a bar/restaurant. PS - I don't drive. Thank you!

Crenshaw's pretty gay-friendly. *Just kidding* Seriously though, your best bets are West Hollywood or Silverlake.

[cottonwood2420]

Originally Posted by semphermea

Hi there.

I am a 23 year old guy from Scotland and I intend on spending the summer living and working in L.A. I will be arriving in June and shall be staying until October/November. I am also gay and would be looking for both a job and a room to rent whilst I am in the City.

I am aware that L.A is vast in size and very different from other US cities with regards to it's high crime rate and poor transit system. I would appreciate some advice on any 'gay friendly' neighbourhoods and some advice on how easy/difficult it will be to find work in a bar/restaurant. PS - I don't drive. Thank you!

West Hollywood.