Highland Park Los Angeles, CA

This area includes many Craftsman homes that began to be revitalized starting in the 2000s, and the neighborhood has been on a steady incline ever since. Highland Park's history winds around its newer establishments. The second oldest synagogue in the city, founded in 1923, is located here. Industry creatives are often drawn to film major pictures on its eclectic streets. Culturally, Highland Park characterizes itself as being a mecca for artists; Forever 21 was founded here, and famous residents include Beck and Skrillex. Murals and street art cover its walls, maybe more than any other L.A. enclave. Avenue 50 serves as a Chicano and Latino art gallery. You can also visit the L.A. Police Museum, where you can take a look at the famous Chicken Boy statue.

Highland Park's culinary scene mirrors its urban image: down-home eats with a gourmet edge at food trucks, gastropubs, dining rooms, and patios. Most of these places call N. Figueroa Street and York Boulevard home, but you can find great food on many corners. Kitchen Mouse emulates the San Francisco vibe: cute, eclectic, and serious about comforting vegan dishes. Try the moros cakes made of black beans or the hefty buffalo bowl, and finish off your meal with some delightful gluten-free cookies. The neighborhood also features classic American food done right. Check out Monte 52 for seriously stuffed sandwiches, Maximiliano for gourmet pizza, Fanny's for traditional Mexican tortas, and Fusion Burgers for gourmet burgers at a fair price. The most quintessential Highland park dining experience awaits you at the neighborhood's Din Din A Go Go, a gathering of around 10 food trucks off of York Boulevard. Think moist cupcakes, vegan hot dogs, and Greek grub. The nightlife lies concentrated on the same streets and exudes the same vibe as the neighborhood's restaurants. Find Greyhound Bar to hang with devoted Dodger fans, grab a few drinks during happy hour, and munch on wings. Offbeat Bar has a similar laid-back feel, but locals love this dark dive for simple drafts and dancing to the DJ on the weekends. La Cuevita focuses on mixed drinks and serves up free tacos on Tuesdays. A change of pace can be found at the Hermosillo, Highland Park's relaxed wine bar that provides local craft beer and quality wine unpretentiously. The weekends bustle but don't get overcrowded, and the great music and hook-and-ring game add to the enjoyment. If you want some laughs, head northeast to Pasadena to check out the Improv Trick and the Ice House Comedy Club.

Highland Park benefits from one of the more convenient locations for public transportation and great freeway access. It houses the LACTMA Station along Metro's gold line light rail, the Metro Local bus line, and LADOT's Dash line. It also stretches to the 110 Freeway for easy access to other freeways and the rest of the city and state. Many parking garages complement the shopping centers, and street parking proves to be less complicated than in other neighborhoods. Walking and biking aren't common ways to get around, so driving remains your best bet. You can't hail a cab very easily, but Uber is very common.

Highland Park holds around 10 parks, most of them great for leisure, exercise, and play. Sycamore Grove may prove the best for exercise, with outdoor gym equipment and a trail for jogging. Tierra de la Culebra has offerings all its own, including Aztec dance classes, community events, and open spaces for children to play. Come here if you're looking to enjoy the outdoors in an artsy environment. Garvanza Skate Park adds to the urban culture with an emptied and graffiti-laden pool for the local youth to grind rails and pull off tricks.

Highland Park doesn't set residents back financially, considering the amenities it offers. Incomes average $45,500, which proves typical for the city. The cost of living runs 8.5 percent less than Los Angeles but still costs 28 percent more than the national average. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Highland Park sits at $1,112. Public transit costs about $1.50 for one way, and beer hovers around $6. Gas costs in the area typically run about 10 percent above the national average.

Like Highland Park's other attractions, storefronts sit on N. Figueroa and York Boulevard, and the neighborhood boasts some gems you don't find elsewhere. From the oldest and best typewriter shop in the city to vintage boutiques, bookstores, and more, you can peek into some lovely hole-in-the-wall shops and pick up some rare finds. Pop-Hop Books and Print sells unique and vintage books and has a great children's section. You can also find locally-made journals and small items. The space is tiny, so grab a few books to take to the coffee shop next door. Possession Vintage's owner, Dan, meticulously curates his store to provide quality pieces. He treats it like a boutique, so you get the personal shopping experience, as well as the treasure-hunt excitement of snagging something no one else has. Shopclass houses upscale furniture, with a mid-century design focus. The owner's attentiveness keeps locals coming back, and shoppers can negotiate prices. Other popular shops include Mi Vida for trendy women's clothing and Mount Analog for vinyl records. For food needs, the area has the standard Food-4-Less, but locals love the small markets like Hi Ho Market and Cali-Mex Family Market for specialty items. Galco's Soda Pop Stop, a family-owned and operated enterprise for over 100 years, sells every kind of soda you can imagine, as well as timeless candies, rare beers, and sandwiches. On Tuesday afternoons, locals head to Old L.A. Farmers Market for a great hummus stand, fresh produce, crafts, and more.