Koreatown Neighborhood Guide

Koreatown is one of the densest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, with round-the-clock dining, historic buildings and excellent transit access.

This guide gives renters a general overview of Koreatown: what daily life is like, how people get around and what to look for in an apartment. Neighborhood conditions change, so visit at different times of day and talk to residents before you sign a lease.

Living in Koreatown

Koreatown, west of Downtown LA, is known for Korean restaurants, karaoke, spas and late-night dining, and it is home to a diverse population. Wilshire Boulevard has historic architecture, including Art Deco buildings.

Getting around

The Metro D Line and B Line serve Koreatown with stations along Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue. Bus service is frequent.

Things to do nearby

• Restaurants and late-night food
• Historic Wilshire Boulevard architecture
• Spas and karaoke
• Quick rail access to Downtown

Housing and renting

Rentals include many older apartment buildings and newer high-rises. Many older units are covered by the City of Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

For official information on tenant protections and housing programs, see City of Los Angeles housing information. California’s statewide rules, including limits on rent increases and just-cause eviction protections for many units, may also apply. The California Courts’ landlord and tenant self-help pages are a helpful starting point.

Apartment hunting checklist for Koreatown

• Visit the block in the evening and on a weekend to check noise and parking.
• Time your commute during rush hour, by car and by transit.
• Ask whether parking, laundry and utilities are included.
• Ask whether the unit is covered by rent stabilization or a state rent cap.
• Check cell reception and internet providers available at the address.
• Look for natural light, storage and air conditioning, which matters during hot summer days in much of Los Angeles County.
• Never send money for a unit you have not seen in person.

Related guides

• Koreatown downtown la guide
• Rental application tips
• Apartment moving checklist
• Rent affordability calculator