Hancock Park - Los Angeles, CA

Mid-City West comprises a region of smaller neighborhoods, including the Miracle Mile. The area sprouted in the 1920s when developer A.W. Ross widened the streets to accommodate shoppers with cars. Merchants lined the area along Wilshire Boulevard between Fairfax Boulevard and Sycamore Avenue, which was later named the Miracle Mile. The popular stretch experienced revitalization in the 1990s, attracting restaurants, law firms and publishing offices, among others. Most notably, Museum Row set the neighborhood apart with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Additionally, the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits draws thousands of visitors to its fossil exhibits. Here, museum-goers can watch the processes of palaeontology unfold. Residents of Midtown's Little Ethiopia neighborhood look forward to the Annual Cultural Street Festival where authentic food, art and Ethiopian music pulse the vibrant area.

You find a taste for every plate in Midtown. From Peruvian seafood to Southern soul food, a vast array of dining choices surround the neighborhood. When locals want sushi in a classy-hip environment they go to Slow Fish on Wilshire Boulevard. Inside you find Midtown diners eating dancing pork, a sweet and spicy sushi wrapped in black rice and seaweed. Slow Fish believes good food should be cooked slowly and with care, which shows in the satisfaction of their patrons. For a meal different from the norm, locals visit Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles on Pico Boulevard. If you ask anyone who's lived in L.A., Roscoe's is the city's premier soul food restaurant. You see people enjoying plates of crispy chicken covered in gravy and waffles doused in syrup for the trademark sweet-and-salty mix. Other soul food offerings lining the menu include candied yams, red beans and rice, and sweet potato pie. Known to draw a celebrity or two, The Little Door in Beverly Grove provides an intimate atmosphere and savory French fare. For a romantic dining experience, request a seat in the private Blue Room. Settle in at a candlelit table and enjoy the pistachio-crusted rack of lamb. Midtown locals looking for a low-key bar head to the Little Bar on South La Brea Boulevard. This popular dive bar plays a mix of music from the '80s and '90s to the current era. A favorite among regulars who want to dress casually without the pretense found in other lounges, the Little Bar remains a welcoming place for a good time. You find most nightclubs north of Midtown, on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, ranging from outlandish and exotic to trendy and sophisticated. Locals in the Miracle Mile section of Midtown go to Busby's East on Wilshire Boulevard. A night at Busby's satisfies those wanting a sports bar and dance club in one spot. In the game room you can shoot pool and darts or play pop-a-shot. Order a grilled cheese sandwich and watch a Lakers game, then hit the dance floor.

Midtown locals love being able to walk everywhere. They save time and money by traveling by foot to attractions many visitors must drive to. With high parking costs and limited space in Midtown, residents leave cars at home whenever possible. Conveniently centered between Interstates 10 and 405, drivers also find easy access to U.S. Route 101, the Hollywood Freeway. Call ahead for a cab or an Uber, while bike lanes are available on some major streets. In this densely populated urban neighborhood, cyclists should use caution when biking.

A perk to living in Midtown lies in the sense of community. You find a park to suit every type of resident, from the kid-centered Harold A. Henry Park to the Queen Anne Park Recreational Center. For the best all-around experience, locals direct you to Hancock Park on Wilshire Boulevard. Popular for the scenery, Hancock Park lets you enjoy a jog or relaxing stroll while passing the LA County Museum of Art, amphitheater and famous La Brea Tar Pits. Lay down a blanket and take in the flowers in the favorite neighborhood landmark. For those wanting a prime fitness and recreational park, Midtown residents recommend La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills. Located on Gregory Way, this park has workout stations and a track, both popular with local trainers. Children can enjoy the playground or fly kites while adults hit the baseball field. When you're ready to relax, grab a gourmet hot dog from the food truck and lie back for the outdoor movies, hosted every summer. Bring your leashed pets and park free for two hours.

In this premier neighborhood, residents pay on average $2,862 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. The cost comes close to surrounding West Los Angeles neighborhoods, but remains higher than outlying areas in Greater L.A. Midtown locals pay heftily for the central location in order to access the vast amounts of entertainment in the neighborhood. Fortunately, locals save on gas by walking to many neighborhood venues. Public transportation runs nearly around-the-clock, costing $1.75 base fare for a Metro bus ride. Drivers pay around 12 percent above the national average for gas and a beer runs about $5 at a local pub.

Shopping defines the Midtown culture. You find major retail areas throughout the region, most notably the Beverly Center, the Grove, and the shops on Melrose Avenue. On North La Cienega Boulevard stands a behemoth of a mall, the Beverly Center. With over 160 specialty stores, this shopping giant has designer choices for every indulgence. Bloomingdale's and Dolce & Gabbana suit high-end interests, along with Louis Vuitton and a host of others. Inside Bloomingdale's you experience luxury and refined customer service. For visitors wanting to experience shopping on Melrose Avenue, locals direct you to Resurrection on Fairfax Boulevard. This vintage clothing jewel offers a collection of avant-garde pieces mixed with classic fare from the '60s and '70s. The owner features her own fashion and jewelry line, adding a touch of whimsy to the store. While on Fairfax, don't miss a trip to the Grove. Beyond the Nordstrom and Apple Store at the outdoor mall, you find Midtown's truest treasure in the Original Farmers Market. Since 1934, the market has been a community staple, providing all-day shopping entertainment. Visit Du-Par's Pie Shop or Bennett's Ice Cream to satisfy your sweet tooth. For the best in cold cuts, try Huntington Meats & Sausage. Midtown residents also shop at Ralphs, Vons, and Whole Foods Market for their other essentials.