Creativity permeates throughout Silver Lake, one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in
Los Angeles. While the city is known for its glitz and glamour, this vibrant district champions the hipster lifestyle instead. Its eateries consist of vegan bistros and artisanal cafes, while its hotspots include underground music venues and indie boutiques. Funky street art even decorates its eclectic streets, further emphasizing the area's artistic identity. Though the neighborhood still has its residential corners where even families will find a suitable place to stay, Silver Lake nevertheless distinguishes itself as LA's signature bohemian hub.
Where is Silver Lake in Los Angeles?
As its name suggests, the Silver Lake neighborhood surrounds its eponymous lake in the eastern-central part of Los Angeles. The area is right at the heart of the city, located near many of
LA's central neighborhoods. They include Echo Park, East Hollywood, Los Feliz, and Franklin Hills, among others. It's this very convenient location, which places it in proximity to other, equally popular neighborhoods in Los Angeles, that makes it a popular choice for settling down in the city, even more so since public transport is easily accessible here, too.
Is it Safe in Silver Lake, Los Angeles?
Generally speaking, yes, it is, but there's more to it than just that. Silver Lake unfortunately ranks in the 16th percentile in terms of safety in Los Angeles, which means about 84% of the rest of the city is much safer. Add to the fact that the area tends to have among the highest
crime rates in LA, and it's no wonder the neighborhood has a tumultuous reputation. Does this mean you shouldn't stay here yourself? Not necessarily! As long as you take the necessary safety precautions, especially when you go out at night, you'll be fine.
What's The Vibe in Silver Lake, Los Angeles?
Silver Lake serves as the hipster haven of Los Angeles. In contrast to the city's more famous Hollywood glamour, this place pushes cool grittiness, underground art, and the like to the forefront instead. Street art decorates its bustling streets, giving it an urban edge that might put off some people at first, but still highlights the neighborhood's unique brand of creativity. Artisanal shops and vegan cafes also dominate the culinary scene, promoting healthier alternative lifestyles that are a nice contrast to central LA's more mainstream fitness fixation. Those who want to go against the grain when
moving to Los Angeles will want to settle down here!
Is it Expensive in Silver Lake, Los Angeles?
Perhaps the best thing about Silver Lake is that it's one of the more affordable parts of Los Angeles, at least for now! Things are still pretty costly here, considering that
LA's living costs stay high no matter what, but the city's other neighborhoods are much more overwhelmingly expensive. For example, the average rent in Hollywood may be about $3,200.00 per month, but it's only about $2,179.00 per month in Silver Lake. It’s still a lot, but the difference remains stark! Even eating out here will cut you back about $12.00 for the cheapest meal available.
What to See in Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Truth be told, Silver Lake doesn't have that many notable sights to see. The entire neighborhood, with its unique hipster vibe and colorful street art, is the worthwhile thing to see. But in terms of famous landmarks, they're far and few between. There's the eponymous Silver Lake Reservoir, for instance, which is a fairly serene man-made lake that's still great for a relaxing day out in the sun, but that's about it. The famous Sunset Strip is nearby, too, complete with the iconic Sunset Boulevard and its slew of iconic Old Hollywood haunts, but it's technically a separate neighborhood altogether.
What to Do in Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Get in touch with your inner bohemian when you explore Silver Lake in Los Angeles! This famously hipster haven has all the edgy art, urban grittiness, and exciting underground culture to truly make you feel like you're not like the rest of the world. Admittedly, the neighborhood's myriad of anti-mainstream establishments does present a refreshing contrast from LA's famous brand of Hollywood glamour. Here, you can eat, drink, and party like a true hipster, dining on vegan dishes, listening to new indie bands, wearing vintage fashions, and more. Sounds like a lotta fun, doesn't it?
The Best Restaurants in Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Don't underestimate Silver Lake's foodie scene, given its signature hipster atmosphere. It's not just vegan diners and indie cafes here. The neighborhood still offers an entire slew of culinary excellence that can easily rival the upscale eateries in LA's other, more affluent areas. The famous W Sunset Boulevard alone, which is still technically part of Silver Lake, boasts the likes of The Black Cat, Santo Silverlake, Ceci's Gastronomia, Bacari Silverlake, and Millie's Cafe, to name a few. Apart from those, the area has other, equally worthwhile hotspots, ranging from emerging bistros to
LA's best Michelin-starred restaurants.
Don’t miss out on any or all of these amazing hotspots in Silver Lake:
- Bacari Silverlake on W Sunset Boulevard
- Ceci's Gastronomia on W Sunset Boulevard
- Millie's Cafe on W Sunset Boulevard
- Santo Silverlake on W Sunset Boulevard
- The Black Cat on W Sunset Boulevard
- Casita Del Campo on Hyperion Avenue
- Ceviche Project on Hyperion Avenue
- Pine and Crane Silverlake on Griffith Park Boulevard
- L & E Oyster Bar on Silver Lake Boulevard
- Edendale Restaurant and Bar on Rowena Avenue
What to Know About Renting in Silver Lake, Los Angeles
As already mentioned, renting in Silver Lake remains fairly affordable, for now. The average rent here is about $2,179.00 per month, which isn't exactly low, but it's among the lowest in all of LA. Moreover, Silver Lake also boasts some of the best
luxury apartments to rent in Los Angeles, ranging from spacious apartments to full-blown townhouses. It's because of this that the area is expected to cost more to rent and to stay in the years to come. So if you're planning to settle down in Silver Lake, you'll want to relocate and rent there now!
Artists, musicians, writers, and the like make the Silver Lake neighborhood in Los Angeles ever so vibrant. This bohemian hub puts West Coast creativity to the forefront, offering up a whole flurry of local hotspots, indie shops, cool cafes, and more.
