Living in East Hollywood: A Hidden Gem that’s Convenient, More Affordable than You Might Think

East Hollywood is often overshadowed by its more glamorous neighbors, but this tiny nabe is both charming and affordable. Plus there’s Thai Food!

Where is East Hollywood?

East Hollywood is located just east of Hollywood (obviously), bound by Hollywood Blvd. and Beverly Blvd. on the north and south, respectively, and Western Ave. and Hoover St. on the west and east. The 101 (aka Hollywood) freeway slices it almost in half, diagonally.

History

East Hollywood was known as Prospect Park in 1887, which included parts of Los Feliz. The area was filled with farms growing fruits and wheat. Near the turn of the century, it was re-named East Hollywood in a PR move to make it more appealing to newcomers. First Russian immigrants, then Armenian, Japanese, Mexican and Thai took to the area. The result is a fairly diverse intersection of many cultures.

Lifestyle

Old School and Old World. There still are a lot of vintage Art Deco-style buildings, houses, and apartments in the area. It is a haven for artists who have been priced out of Hollywood and nearby Silver Lake. You can hear a lot of different languages spoken within a few city blocks.

What to Do

East Hollywood contains arguably one of the loveliest outdoor spaces in Los Angeles, Barnsdall Art Park. Commissioned by the wealthy and eccentric heiress Alice Barnsdall, the hilltop space has a gorgeous view of downtown and has an arts center, gallery and theater, as well as the Hollyhock House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Where to Eat & Drink

There are a variety of dining experiences, albeit less glamorous than in Los Feliz. You could enjoy tasty Thai from many of the mall restaurants (we recommend Sanamluang – not too fancy but delicious!) or try lahmejune (aka Armenian pizza) at Sasoun. Then there’s Sqirl – a true fiesta for your taste buds. Sunset Blvd. has chains like Walgreens and Home Depot along with the largest 99 Cent Store we’ve ever seen.

 

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Moving to East Hollywood

Real Estate Snapshot

East Hollywood’s housing stock is made up primarily of older or renovated apartment communities while the cost of living is low for the area, and Los Angeles in general.

Whereas average rents in Los Angeles sit somewhere around $2,375/mo., East Hollywood apartments rent for $2,009 on average. But there are plenty of good options well below that price point.

Transportation

If you have a car, freeway access to the 101 is easy, although it often turns into a parking lot. Thanks to its proximity to several Metro Red Line stops – including Vermont/Santa Monica and Vermont/Sunset – East Hollywood is quite accessible to Downtown, Hollywood, and the Valley for those that don’t.

Schools

There are public schools in East Hollywood, but they do not rank amongst the city’s best, with a few exceptions like Franklin Elementary and Citizens of the World Charter. There are fewer private schools, many of them Catholic.

East Hollywood continues to be a magnet for new arrivals, especially artists and others that don’t earn a huge paycheck. It’s got a gritty charm that for better and for worse has yet to be erased. Browse all the available listings on RentCafe.com and choose your next home.

Check out more Los Angeles neighborhood guides:

Beverly Grove, Los Angeles: Convenient and Upscale Living that’s also a Shopper’s Paradise
Living in Encino, a Quiet, Upscale Urban Retreat Overflowing with L.A. Charm
Downtown Los Angeles: Cutting Edge Living in LA’s Historic Core
Living in Van Nuys, Los Angeles: Where You can Enjoy the Glitzy LA Life on a Budget
Wilshire – Montana, Santa Monica: Beach Living with a Touch of Class
Westlake, Los Angeles: A Low Cost Alternative to Downtown Living
Living in Palms, Los Angeles: A Historic Neighborhood, Populated by Millennials
Hollywood – a Vibrant LA Neighborhood with Celebrity Status
Koreatown – The Little City That Never Sleeps
Westwood – Live Large in the Center of It All
Sherman Oaks – Timeless Elegance in the Heart of the Valley
Sawtelle – A Walkable, Culture-Filled Enclave Bustling with L.A. Charm