Source
r/LosAngeles•
dbercht

Working in DTLA, should I live in Culver City, Silver Lake, or DTLA?

Question

Hey all,

I just moved to LA and have a "9-5" job in DTLA close to the Staple Center. I'm considering Culver City, Silver Lake, or DTLA as options to live but I know very little about any of those areas, so I'm going off of recommendations from friends and acquaintances. I'm a 29 y/o single straight man, I work long hours during the week but like to go out/socialize/explore during the weekends. I love the beach and the West side, and have not explored much of the East side or it's nightlife.

My biggest concerns are:

  1. Minimize Commute and avoid commuting in a car:
    1. I know CC is 30 minutes to my office using the Expoline
    2. West of Silver Lake could provide the Red Line or be a bike ride away
    3. DTLA could be walking distance
  2. Social Life: I either want to be in a vibrant place or close to one.
  3. Price: Trying to get a studio for around 2.5k, but would be willing to pay more for the right place.
  4. Location: I have friends on the West Side, and I don't really know anyone on the East Side yet so I might be making a trek there every now and then. Similarly, I do like spending time by the coast, but love exploring in general.

Any personal experiences or advice anyone can share greatly recommended! I'll be personally exploring these places, so any pointers (pros & cons) greatly appreciated.

​

**Edit: Asked at r/AskLosAngeles**

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskLosAngeles/comments/9dk8yl/working_in_dtla_should_i_live_in_culver_city/

Posted Sep 6, 2018, 4:13 PM UTC · edited

321
uwinfawad•

If I worked in dtla and could afford living In dtla I’d live in dtla

29
ThatsABadLarry•

I used to live and work in DTLA and I can't tell you how rare and refreshing it is to be able to walk to work in L.A. It just doesn't happen. Bars and restaurants everywhere. Downtown also has the benefit of car-free access to anywhere in the city. It's the one spot that's totally hooked in to public transit.

The one downside: Homeless people everywhere. Sounds callous, but the fact that the streets are basically a bathroom for thousands of people gets old pretty quickly.

21
xCGWPx•

Having lived in both Culver City and DTLA, I would recommend Culver for what you’re looking for.

It’s much nicer, not as hectic as DTLA, closer to the ocean (and West side where your friends live). Especially if you’ll be able to take the Metro to work so traffic wouldn’t be much of a concern for you, although it’d only ever be about 30 mins to and from Staples Center in rough morning and evening traffic.

9
BoomhauerIIIPalms•

I would personally pick CC with the caveat that the nightlife isn't as vibrant as DTLA/Hollywood/Ktown/etc.

I'm sure people will chime in about how the SM has plenty of bars and how CC has Oldfields; but, to me at least, the west side vibe has always been more of a for-the-gram scene.

But outside of that, I prefer CC as you can get away from the hustle and bustle of somewhere like DTLA.

u/first_five-eighth's Ktown suggestion is also very solid IMO. But I think that'd depend on how adventurous/comfortable you are on a cultural level.

7
Eurynom0sSanta Monica•

For-the-gram?

1
BoomhauerIIIPalms•

For the [insta]gram. That's my takeaway at least. To be clear, I love the westside, I'm just describing the night life.

If you wanna drop $$$ and go clubbing, you go hollywood or DTLA.

If you just wanna get drunk, cant beat ktown in terms of bang for the buck with soju. A bottle of soju costs the same as some half sugar cocktail at a westside bar and will get you way more hammered.

Westside, you're paying hollywood/DTLA prices for less actual nightlife and less alcohol. It's just pretty places that look good on social media.

Nothing wrong with that inherently, but since OPs asking for a vibrant nightlife, west side would definitely be last on the list IME.

2
first_five-eighthMid-Wilshire•

Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, East Hollywood, Mid-City. What these all have in common:

  1. Central location. Easy access to pretty much any other part of the city, especially if you live close to the 10. At non-peak hours you can get to the beach in 15-20 minutes, door to door.

  2. Close to downtown. All are a 20-30 minute commute to DTLA via car or bike, or by Red, Purple, or Expo lines if you live close to a station.

  3. Affordable. If your budget is $2.5k for a studio you can live like a king in any of these areas.

  4. Walkable. Depends on where exactly you live, but these areas are generally pretty walkable (especially K-town).

  5. Fun. All of these areas are home to bars, restaurant, and music venues. K-town especially is famous for its nightlife. It's one of the few places in LA that runs 24/7.

I love the middle regions of LA and they've only gotten better and better over the last decade.

6
JedEckert•

If one of your big concerns is the beach/friends on the Westside, then you should live in Culver City. If you're regularly planning to be over there on weekends and you work long hours, then spending the time it takes to get back and forth from there is just going to be draining. Yeah, if you lived Downtown, you could take the Expo to get to Santa Monica, but if you're just talking the Westside in general, it's just always a pain in the ass getting across town to get there. Especially once the weather gets nice, you're talking like a solid 45 minutes (up to an hour) to get from DTLA to the beach. The idea of crossing over the 405 at any time when the roads aren't empty is going to become like a mental block for you.

If you want to be somewhere vibrant and avoid being in your car, then obviously Downtown is the choice. You're going to pay a lot for the right place, but you'll be right in the thick of things. As someone else mentioned, there's the homeless problem, which is prevalent even if you live in really nice buildings, e.g. you can be paying like $3000 a month for a fancy loft in the Arts District and walk downstairs to the smell of persistent urine from homeless people pissing in the stairwells and common areas of your building.

If you're just looking for a cool neighborhood with a lot to do, then you choose Silver Lake. I would personally recommend this, but I don't think it really suits your needs because 1) it's the farthest from the coast, and 2) unless you live on the fringes of Silver Lake, getting to and from the Red Line is kind of a pain since the Vermont/Beverly station is not realistically walkable (though if you bike, it could be an option). I have no idea what it's like to bike from Silver Lake to Downtown, but I can't imagine it's that great.

The one caveat to recommending Culver City for you is the nightlife is kind of meh in my opinion. Culver City itself is more of a dinner crowd type of place with not much late night activity. I much prefer the social scene of the Eastside, and even though it's not really my favorite, Downtown is also objectively much better.

5
furiousbox•

I commute from SL to DTLA by bike (less than 4.5 miles)and it’s pretty easy and is mostly served by bike lanes: You can take Sunset to Spring or wind your way down to 7th/Rampart which will drop you right into DTLA at Fig.

0
liverichly•

As an outsider (I live in OC) I'd vote for CC, weather is still on the cooler side and you are closer to where you've been enjoying life (not to say DTLA/Silver Lake won't be fun, but you can test those areas after work). A 30 minute commute doesn't seem too bad, plus it's on the Expo so you can keep occupied with your phone, conversation, work emails, etc. Hope others chime in with good advice/tips.

3
DommichuExposition Park •

I lived in Culver City and now am just outside of downtown. I honestly would choose Culver City because it’s a nice change of pace and will allow you to detach from work (Also closer to the beach). You might also want to check with your employer if they offer any transit benefits, which will save you on transportation costs.

3
TankingHealerDowntown •

I'd just live in DTLA if I were you. Walking distance from work is no joke, especially in DTLA. There's also a lot of things always happening there as well, speaking as someone who lives in Little Tokyo. Also, being in DTLA means that you're central with public transit, which especially helps if you don't want to drive all that much.

2
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
ArmenoidFairfax •

Silverlake

1
out_of_ideas123Hollywood•

live downtown. Or anywhere between downtown and Hollywood on the red line or in Koreatown on the purple line. All lively areas, all will have units that meet your price range, and all will have tolerable commutes as long as you take the train. You will never see your friends on the west side again.

1
angrytroll123•

I just moved from DTLA. For a bit more, you can get a pretty sick place for a single guy. The last place I was at was a huge loft for just a bit more with 2 parking spots. I personally don't think DTLA is that great but shortening commute is the best. Remember all those times where you have to wake yourself up in the morning and you're tired and groggy. It's such a damn chore. You can live further away and deal with that every weekday and you would be closer to the beach and wake up at your leisure on the weekends or you can have easier mornings and drive a bit longer to go to the beach. CC isn't really all that great and Silver Lake has some nice spots but those fun places in both areas are somewhat concentrated in an area and you will eventually get sick of it. You know what you won't get sick of? The extra sleep you can get on the weekend because your commute is shorter.

1
jitatime•

How much is the commute time worth to You? That's what everyone should think. Is it worth your wage or is it more valuable? Or is it worth eveness because you are a shut in anyways?

1
NeptuNeo•

closer to the beach is better, I would pick Culver City, just the temp difference alone is a good enough reason. But if you will do $2500 for a studio, might as well check further west in Santa Monica

1
dontmesswithmegan•

Commuting in LA is pretty bad. I’d try to reduce driving as much as possible. I live and work in DTLA and its very easy. Lots to do in my day to day and can easily hop in the car or on the metro and get to the beach or other areas. Only thing about DTLA is it’s not a nice place to walk at night. But an uber from home to work is only $5 so I just don’t walk at night. Honestly it has simplified daily life and given more time for exploration in other areas. Choosing to drive when you want is better than having to drive when you don’t just so you can walk to meet friends in your down time.

1
steel102•

downtown seems like the best fit for you, given it is an area that you can walk to work and also have good recreation- fun bars/restaurants/cultural activities/mountains. and is accessible to the westside via metro or $15-40ish uber

0
sandmanlyman•

I live downtown and work in Santa Monica. I appreciate being able to disconnect from one or the other. I take public transit to/from work and couldn't be happier. If I lived downtown and worked downtown, I doubt I'd explore other areas as often as I do.

0