violet1999

I love Barrington! This street is a great alternative to driving down Sepulveda - it goes all the way from Brentwood to Mar Vista. The top part near Brentwood is my favorite - there are so many cute shops up near the intersection of Barrington and San Vicente. Further down Barrington towards Santa Monica, there are a lot of residential houses, convenience stores, laundromats, etc. My favorite Whole Foods is on Barrington as well, at the intersection of National. Barrington turns into McLaughlin somewhere around Palms.

I discovered this street through running - I don't think I would ever know about it otherwise. Located one block behind the boardwalk, Speedway is home to a stretch of apartments, some of them nautically-themed (as the street is one block from the beach.) The people who live here seem to be an incredibly zany, affluent bunch who value their privacy. I can't say I didn't get more than one dirty look while running down here in the AM, but I loved it anyway because I love to look at the wacky architecture and cool cars parked on this stretch. Also, at the end of the street is the Marina of Marina Del Rey, where you can sit and watch boats, a sunset, or flocks of homeless hippies.

So I recently ran a marathon, and I did much of my training by running the boardwalk from Santa Monica to Marina Del Rey. However, instead of stopping at the end of the boardwalk, I would continue a few extra miles down Speedway just so I could run Via Dolce. This street looks right out on the water, and you can often see kayakers and boaters enjoying the day. The street itself is populated with both adorable and stately townhouses, some of which are to die for. For running, the street provides you with a 3 mile ish loop that can really round out a run. And this street is quiet, quiet, quiet! A total haven from the insanity of the boardwalk.

Burbank Blvd is one of the best ways to get from the West Valley to the East Valley if you hate driving on the freeway (like me.) Once you get out of the Encino downtown area, Burbank turns into a 4 to 5 lane fast-driving road, where the speed limit is high and you can rocket from one side of the SFV to the other. No lights, no turning, just a straight shot. I am not sure what is on this street otherwise (aside from a frequented Subway at the intersection of Coldwater ;) but that freeway-esque stretch sure is helpful when it comes to commuting.

I only lived here for a few months as I was subletting, but I had a great time living on Miranda Street in the Valley Village/No Hollywood area. I am not originally from California but from New England, and the people living on this street reminded me of the hardworking regular folks at home. No aspirational trophy wives in Range Rovers here - just solidly middle class, very FRIENDLY people. Lots of families, dogs, and cookouts. This neighborhood reminded me a lot of how 50s suburbia is portrayed on TV.

I park my car on this street. Yup, that's how I know about it. This is a side street one block east of La Brea. Some blocks of this street are incredibly cute - they have tightly packed but architecturally adorable West Hollywood homes that seem quiet and funky (both the homes and the residents.) And then with some blocks, you cross the street and the cute homes are replaced with large industrial parking lots, taco trucks, cement trucks, and day laborers who whistle at you (if you're female.) Always an interesting stroll down Sycamore.

Even though I can't afford to live in the hills, I spend a lot of time taking my car on hilltop drives ust to check out the fancy homes and amazing views. Last weekend, I drove up to the Palisades and discovered Enchanted Way. Seriously, I would give so much to live up here. When you get to the top of the steep, winding hills of this road, you seriously feel like you might drive into the ocean. You can see the ocean from multiple outlooks and if you get out of the car, you don't hear a peep except for the birds hanging out in the numerous trees and flowers.

I lived on this street for about a year. At the time I was working in Hollywood and coming home to West LA was a nice respite from the flashy hustle. This street is full of mostly older couples and families. Yeah, West LA itself can be a little boring sometimes, but Colby's proximity to Santa Monica and Olympic gives you easy access to supermarkets, restaurants, and quick routes to Venice, Santa Monica, and Century City. All my neighbors on this street were incredibly sweet and friendly and really looked out for each other.

This stretch of Robertson is a far cry from the industrial wasteland that it becomes as it makes its way down to Culver City. Up here, you have some of the best shopping in LA - Kitson, Rock & Republic, Madison - all the boutiques that carry the latest designers' wares are here. Go even more northward, and you start to hit some hot restaurants (Fat Fish sushi comes to mind) and some fun weekend clubs, some of the catering to the gay male crowd. It is best to park your car here on a sunny day and to walk up and down Robertson - you will miss all the tucked-away boutiques otherwise.

I love Abbot Kinney Blvd. It is a great place to get away from the trite shopping scene in Hollywood and at the Grove. This street is populated with chic modern furniture stores, old coffeeshops catering to the hippie locals, and amazing bars that are overcrowded on the weekends, but a lot of fun on weeknights. The Kogi BBQ truck also seems to live here on many evenings - so if you see a line snaking down the street now you know why. Also, it's literally 3 blocks from the beach, so you can go down to the boardwalk to sightsee or eat your Pinkberry after shopping.

I know I will never be wealthy enough to live here as an adult, but I had a nice taste of life in the West Village when I was an undergraduate at NYU. Even if you don't live here, visiting the West Village while in New York is a must. Just walking up and down the winding streets makes you feel like you've escaped the city. There are breathtaking brownstones and beautiful townhouses lining the streets, and you can always duck in to a tucked-away bistro or cafe - there are many that are best found by discovery and not via a guidebook. If you are gay, there is a thriving gay scene here with several dance clubs and bars. There are also many old-fashioned diners in the West Village - my favorite is the Waverly on Waverly and 6th. Open 24 hours of course!

I lived in Astoria in 2006-2007 for a little over a year and loved it. Though the commute to downtown Manhattan was a haul and the train was always crowded in the mornings, I liked having my own little neighborhood that I could come home to. And Astoria is quite homey. It is not the most happening place for hipster singles - if you're looking for that go to Manhattan or Williamsburg. But if you are a down to earth person who enjoys a dirty pub full of locals or an inexpensive Greek or Mexican food stand, this is your place. There are many different cultures living here, and they all seem to get along. Astoria seems to be full of families who have been here for generations - the neighborhood does not feel gentrified at all. Hardly any chains exist here, and there are plenty of mom and pop stores. The rent is cheaper than Brooklyn's, and the neighborhood is much cheaper. I would love to live here with a car if I ever come back, since it's hell to get to Williamsburg from here on the train, but it is a 10 minute drive!

I lived in Williamsburg from 2002-2004, when it was starting to get "cool." During these years I was in my early 20s, and I had an amazing time. When I go back to visit, now at 27 I don't know if I would still live there, but I still have a good time at the bars and restaurants. Williamsburg is right over the bridge from Manhattan, and is a quick commute on the L train if you work in the city. It is what the East Village was to the early 1990s - full of artists and hipsters. Though this white gentrification has driven prices up in the hood to somewhat unreasonable prices, the local Puerto Rican, Italian and Hasidic cultures have not been pushed out. I personally lived in the Italian part of Williamsburg near Graham Avenue and always felt very safe - all the old Italian neighbors acted as a 24/7 neighborhood watch. Williamsburg is now getting music venues, high end restaurants, and great bars for both young partiers and the aging hipster crowd. Now all they need is a movie theater!