New to Los Angeles, looking for an area that fits me (Long Beach: apartment, living in)

[nalgene39]

Hi, I am hoping you all can help me out. I recently moved to LA from NYC. While living in NY i became accustomed to walking everywhere and loved it. In LA, driving, traffic, and valets, seem to be a common theme.

Is there an area in the LA area, or at least ~20 miles from downtown LA, that has a city-like feel to it? Concentration of shops, resturants, bars, nightlife, etc

I am looking for a place, similair to 3rd st Promenade in SM, where there is a concentration of resturants, shops, bars, nightlife, etc. and an area that a 26 yr old straight male can walk out of his apartment and have a bunch of options on any given night. No further than a 1/2 mile walk.

Areas that I think kind of has that feel is Downtown Culver City, SM (by the 3rd st promenande), and a co-worker mentioned Los Feliz.

Are there any others?

Thanks

[BRinSM]

First, LA is not NYC. The areas that you mentioned will probably have what you are looking for, but don't expect an NYC type lifestyle anywhere in LA. For better or for worse, LA is all about driving, traffic, and valets. There are ways around this, but there is no place in LA where you will have all the ammenities of NYC within a short walk or train ride from your apartment.

Other places to consider would be Venice, Santa Monica near Main St or Wilshire, mid-city near the grove/farmers market, west hollywood, hollywood proper, koreatown, and downtown. Ultimately, you'll need to decide where to live based on where you work.

[KnoxTown]

Live downtown.

[nalgene39]

Btw, I work downtown. It seems that downtown LA is dead after 5

[KnoxTown]

Certain pockets are good, some aren't. I dated a girl who lived near 9th and Fig; had alot of good times at the local bars and shops.

[tanonly]

Old Town Pasadena.

[timelesschild]

I would second Pasadena, and add Silverlake. Both of those places are wonderful at night.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by nalgene39

an area that a 26 yr old straight male can walk out of his apartment and have a bunch of options on any given night.

Oh, as a 26-year-old male, I think you'd have tons of "options" right outside of your apartment - in West Hollywood. I'm not sure that you'd want to take advantage of most of them, however.

[zenkonami]

Pasadena, Silverlake, Hollywood, all good (big fan of Pasadena, personally.)

Still quite active, but possibly a little less lively up in the San Fernando Valley...North Hollywood, Burbank, Studio City, Sherman Oaks

None of these places will have that New York vibe, though I'm sure you've figured that out. They are all pretty lively with plenty of hidden gems within short distances. Be sure to look at public transit options, too. The subway (Metro) pales in comparison to New York's here, but it does run (regularly) down a major corridor with some good density and is clean and reliable. I live in North Hollywood and can be down in Hollywood in about 10 minutes that way...no car required.

[NaplesRes]

could try downtown Long Beach and blue line into LA for work.