Mid-Wilshire

Mid-Wilshire is an interesting neighborhood because it's comprised of several very different neighborhoods. Some of the areas are great and some of the areas are not so great. But, most of the neighborhoods in Mid-Wilshire have really beautiful architecture.
Hancock Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. It's one of the few places in Los Angeles that looks like a "real" neighborhood. . . of course, if your "real" neighborhood was comprised of multi-million dollar homes. The streets are sunny and tree-lined and there are always kids all over the place. And the houses? Man, the houses! Almost every single on of them is stunning. And, some of them are ridiculously big. Larchmont is the street to be in Hancock Park for any sort of shopping or dining. . . that's all Larchmont is except for one bank, Blockbuster and a grocery store. Larchmont Beauty is my favorite beauty supply store in the city. And, all of the restaurants on this street and darling and decent, at least. There isn't much to do in the way of nightlife in Hancock Park, but it's just too pretty.
Miracle Mile is a really up and coming part of this neighborhood. It was a little sketchy for a while, but it is getting pretty gentrified. There are a lot of hip restaurants going up on La Brea south of Wilshire. And, the little homes and apartment buildings are divine. They are all from the 1920's and have great details: crown molding, beautiful hardwood floors, fireplaces. And, back away from the major streets, the neighborhood is quite serene. The rent is still semi-reasonable (although not for long) so young professionals whom work in the Wilshire area are moving by the herd.
South of Olympic, the area is still pretty dirty, ugly and unsafe. Same goes east of Wilton. Plus, there's nothing to do there so just avoid them.