Moving to Downtown Los Angeles? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Do you struggle to choose a place to eat when you go out with friends or family? That’s not a problem at Grand Central Market. Grand Central Market has been a bustling hub of culinary delights and cultural experiences since 1917. Located in downtown LA, this market spans 30,000 square feet and features over 35 diverse vendors offering everything from tacos and Thai to freshly baked pastries and sandwiches. Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore the best California has to offer or simply seeking a spot to gather with friends, Grand Central Market promises an unforgettable experience. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., it’s the perfect destination to explore the flavors of LA. Come and see why Grand Central Market is a beloved landmark and a must-visit for locals and tourists alike!

Bottega Louie offers patrons a different experience compared to other restaurants. This restaurant is also a gourmet market, patisserie, and cafe. You can also grab a drink at its full bar after your meal. The menu includes a wide selection of fresh salads, pastas, pizzas, and a variety of other classic and modern Italian dishes. The market and patisserie offer a large selection of sweet and savory items to go as well. Whether you want to sit down and take your time or grab something delicious to-go, don’t miss out on Bottega Louie.

Perch is a unique rooftop restaurant where guests can enjoy a meal in the open air surrounded by the urban beauty of downtown LA. Perch is located atop the Pershing Square Building in downtown. Perch’s founders designed the restaurant space to have unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles for guests to experience the feeling of floating along the skyline while they enjoy their meals. The food is French-inspired and uses only the freshest local ingredients. For those who’d like to stay indoors, Perch offers beautiful indoor seating and a full bar.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s more casual and straightforward, consider Quarter Sheets—assuming that you like pizza or cake, and who doesn’t? Quarter Sheets serves simple and delicious pizza in a style it calls Detroit-ish. The pizza comes in rectangular sheets and is topped with red or white sauce and simple toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, or herbs. What’s unique about this pizza place is that it also sells amazing desserts (mostly cakes) with unique and elevated flavors. Pizza and dessert alike can be bought by the slice.

Angels Flight Railway is the world’s shortest railway. Nestled in the Bunker Hill district of downtown LA, this historic funicular (cable railway system) has been transporting passengers since 1901. The railway features two cars that counterbalance one another. The railway only transports passengers 298 feet, but each trip up the steep slope is exciting. Whether you’re a history buff, a film enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique adventure, Angels Flight is a must-visit. Open daily from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m., it’s located near the Grand Central Market. For just $1 each way, you can enjoy a historic ride and stunning views of the city.

Step into a wonderland of books at The Last Bookstore, California’s largest new and used bookstore. Housed in a stunning 22,000 square foot space within a historic bank building, this iconic destination offers more than just books. Explore the famous book tunnel, get lost in the labyrinth of $1 books, and discover unique art installations and vinyl records. With its soaring ceilings, marble columns, and quirky charm, The Last Bookstore is a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and curious explorers alike. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., it’s the perfect spot to find your next great read or simply soak in the atmosphere. Don’t miss this must-visit LA landmark on your next adventure!

The Broad is a museum featuring contemporary art from the 1950s to today, with long-standing exhibits and a tradition of lending art pieces to other museums and galleries around the world. There are currently five exhibits on view in the museum, with more scheduled for the future. Check out the list of exhibits and learn more about the artists before your visit.

One of the things that make The Broad special is the fact that it offers free general admission to the public. Open every day except Mondays, the museum recommends reserving a ticket before you visit, but walk-ups are also allowed according to availability.

This interactive, educational museum is dedicated to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards. The museum includes four floors of exhibits, including historical music artifacts, interactive touch screens, and recording booths. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just curious, the GRAMMY offers a unique opportunity to dive into the stories behind your favorite artists and their impact on the world. 

The cost of admission to The GRAMMY is $18 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, and children. The museum is open every day except Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a closing time of 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Reserving tickets beforehand isn’t required, but it is recommended to avoid wait times. 

Established in 1979, MOCA is the only artist-founded museum in Los Angeles, dedicated to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. With nearly 8,000 objects in its collection, MOCA showcases groundbreaking and historically significant exhibitions that push the boundaries of creativity. Located on Grand Avenue, the museum’s main galleries offer a dynamic space where art and culture intersect. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a curious visitor, MOCA provides an inspiring and thought-provoking experience that you won’t want to miss.

General admission is free to all visitors, but some exhibits may require paid tickets to view. MOCA is open Tuesday through Sunday. MOCA recommends that everyone reserve their tickets online before visiting, but there are walk-up kiosks at the museum itself. 

Downtown LA is home to a wide range of eclectic boutiques and shops, but that doesn’t mean that residents can’t find the chains they know and love for their everyday needs. FIGat7th is an open-air shopping mall that contains all the brands you know and love, including Target, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Nordstrom, Sephora, and more. In addition to shopping, FIGat7th has tons of restaurants to choose from, including favorites such as California Pizza Kitchen and Morton’s The Steakhouse.

ROW DTLA is a 30-acre outdoor space that houses some of LA’s best restaurants, boutique shops, creative workspaces, and green spaces. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch on the go or go to dinner with friends. Grab a donut on the way to work or spend the evening enjoying a meal at a Michelin-star restaurant. There are two large parking lots to accommodate visitors, but the space is easily walkable, with plenty of transportation options in and out of ROW DTLA.

FIDM has long been known as a top school for fashion design. While that is still the case, it has broadened its scope and reimagined itself as a dynamic business school with a focus on tech, beauty, entertainment, and fashion.

SCIA is one of the nation's few independent architecture schools that offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs, making it a desired choice for those serious about architecture. The ultimate goal of the school is to help educate students who will shape the future.

UCLA offers an extension of its campus in the heart of downtown LA. This satellite location focuses on workforce education and skills training. The UCLA downtown LA location is the most recent new location.

The Chicago School at Los Angeles offers academic programs across the fields of psychology, health, counseling, behavioral sciences, and business. In addition to bachelor’s degrees, students can also seek master’s and doctoral degrees. 

The mission of Abram Friedman Occupational Center is to provide its students with the academic, technical, and life skills necessary to achieve personal and economic success. Its courses include cosmetology, networking, construction, HVAC, automotive technology, and more.

The Los Angeles Unified School District is the nation’s second-largest school district, with almost half a million students served across over 1,200 schools. Because of its size, the Los Angeles Unified School District is able to offer a wide variety of options for students. There are 333 magnet programs available for K–12 students. These programs include career and social entrepreneurship, liberal arts, new media, STEM, visual and performing arts, and programs for the highly gifted.

If you’re looking for a job or anticipate a job change in your future, downtown LA is one of the best places you can be. Downtown LA is home to notable companies such as Shein, Evite, and other tech companies and startups. Being in the heart of LA also means that you have easy access to healthcare, education, and service jobs. 

Some of the biggest employers in Los Angeles include Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, Live Nation, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Twentieth Century Fox. If you don’t mind a bit of a commute, there are tons of great opportunities surrounding Los Angeles as well. 

Check out current job openings in downtown LA.

As you probably know, the cost of living in downtown LA is high. Even compared to the rest of LA, downtown’s cost of living is about 30 percent higher. The biggest driver of this increased cost is housing. About 85 percent of apartments in DTLA rent for more than $2,000 per month, with luxury apartments renting for around $3,000 and up. 

If you’re looking to buy a home, the median price is just over $600,000. Because of the density of downtown LA, most homes will be condos or apartments, usually with one bedroom and one bathroom. A luxury home with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and other amenities is likely to cost two to five million dollars.

When it comes to the other expenses that make up the cost of living such as groceries, healthcare, and transportation, downtown LA is comparable to the rest of California but a bit higher than the national average. 

Learn more about the cost of living in downtown LA.

There’s no shortage of public transportation options in downtown LA. One of the most popular methods is the metro rail system. This city-wide network includes two subway lines and four light rail lines with over 100 stops. In addition to the rail system, there’s a robust system of bus lines that will take you just about anywhere in the city. For shorter trips, there are even bike shares and electric scooters.

If you’re unsure of the best way to get somewhere, Metro’s trip planner is a great tool to get you from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. 

Here is some additional information about downtown LA’s public transportation options.

Downtown LA is a vibrant melting pot of different cultures, attitudes, and ways of life. Amazing restaurants, bars, and entertainment bring people from the entire region into the area. The people who live in downtown LA value the arts greatly. There are tons of great museums, art galleries, and theaters that residents and visitors alike love. Generally speaking, residents of downtown LA are friendly and welcoming while maintaining their own sense of identity and individualism.

If you’re considering a move to downtown LA, come see us at Canvas LA Apartments. Our luxury apartments are located on the west side of downtown and have all the amenities you’ll need to live a luxury life in downtown LA!