Downtown, Los Angeles, CA

Downtown Los Angeles is the city's densest and most varied neighborhood, a patchwork of districts that includes historic Broadway theaters, Bunker Hill towers, the Arts District's converted warehouses and the Fashion District. Living here means being in the middle of the region's transit, government and cultural hub. Housing in Downtown is nearly all apartments and condos. Historic Core buildings along Broadway and Spring Street have been converted into lofts, the Arts District has live/work lofts in old factories and warehouses, and Bunker Hill and South Park hold glassy high-rise towers. Single-family homes are essentially absent. Grand Park runs from the Music Center down to City Hall and hosts farmers markets, concerts and open lawns. Pershing Square holds its own farmers market, and Los Angeles State Historic Park, on the northern edge, is a long green space for runs and picnics. The streets themselves serve as the main walking routes for most residents. Sonoratown on 8th Street makes tacos on house-made flour tortillas, Pizzeria Bianco at Row DTLA is known for its long-fermented crust, and Kar Son next door is the Chinese restaurant critics tend to rank first in the area. Verve Coffee on Spring Street is a daily coffee stop for many people. Daily life works without a car more easily than anywhere else in the city. Metro rail lines converge at Union Station and 7th Street/Metro Center, and buses cover every direction. Whole Foods on Grand Avenue handles groceries, and the farmers markets fill in the rest. The tradeoff is noise and constant activity. Sirens, construction, concerts and events keep the streets busy, and quiet evenings are hard to come by. In return, people living Downtown can walk from their building to a concert, a museum or a late dinner without ever looking for parking.