What are the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for young professionals?

The South Bay is a great place to live if you're a young professional. If you're in your 20's and 20's I would recommend Hermosa Beach. You'll find a community that engages in young adults. They have great resturants and bars to meet other professionals. Depending on your career choice, there's opportunity for employment too!

Its hard to beat The South Bay Beach Cities - there has been quite an exodus from the west side over the last few years to relocate here, less expensive, less dense, less traffic, closer to the beach much better public schools are just a few of the reasons. And there are three very distinct flavors - Manhattan Beach - hip, affluent to very affluent. Hermosa Beach - younger crowd to a degree - funky in a good way. S. Redondo - more relaxed wide open spaces and plenty of parking.

I would agree that the West Side is preferred by young professionals but I would add that the South Bay cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach are also very popular. Not only does the proximity to beach provide a plethora of physical activities but there are many restaurants, bars and clubs geared to young urban professionals. As a local Realtor, one of my specialties is matching people to the right neighborhoods. Usually, if buyers are in their late 20's to late 30's, they prefer to be in the beach towns I have mentioned because of the sports, nightlife and relaxed atmosphere.

I would say to look on the West side: Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, Marina Del Rey. It's pretty much all young professionals in that area and it's a really cool part of town. It's close to the beach and there's a ton of shopping, restaurants, bars, etc. It's more laid back than the Hollywood area but not as boring as the Valley. And, there aren't as many entertainment industry people on the west side so the jerk factor goes way down.