Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Guide

Downtown Los Angeles is the region’s urban core, with high-rise living, cultural landmarks and the hub of the Metro rail system.

This guide gives renters a general overview of Downtown Los Angeles: 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 Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown LA includes districts such as the Historic Core, Arts District, Financial District, South Park and Little Tokyo. Landmarks include Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, Grand Central Market and Union Station.

Getting around

Union Station and 7th St/Metro Center connect several Metro rail lines, Metrolink and Amtrak. Downtown is one of the easiest places in the region to live without a car.

Things to do nearby

• Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad
• Grand Central Market
• Little Tokyo
• Arts District galleries and restaurants

Housing and renting

Housing includes converted historic lofts, modern high-rises with amenities and some older buildings. Ask about parking costs, building amenities and noise.

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 Downtown Los Angeles

• 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
• First apartment essentials
• Apartment moving checklist
• Rent affordability calculator