Literally meaning “the angels” in Spanish, world-famous Los Angeles was founded in 1781, under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. Now covering 501.6 square miles of hilly and flat areas with rugged terrain, it lies in a basin in Southern California, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. Mountains surround the city, where streets generally follow a grid layout. Its median age is 35.9 (2022), and main industries include entertainment, aerospace, bioscience, transportation, and fashion.

Los Angeles is dotted with Tudor, Spanish Colonial, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Art Deco, Victorian, Georgian Revival, and French Normandy home styles. The typical value of homes here is $953,498, a rise of 4.1% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Movie and music awards ceremonies, the L.A. County Fair, and the Halloween Carnival are among annual events that attract both residents and visitors.

Major highways serving Los Angeles include I-5, I-10, and U.S. Route 101. Straddling State Route 2 is the neighborhood of West Hollywood, where condos and single-family homes line charming, walkable streets. Silver Lake, which is accessible via several highways, features a mix of apartments and small homes. For ocean-side living, there’s Santa Monica. While pricier, residents say it’s worth it.

Few U.S. cities offer residents as much as Los Angeles – cultural diversity, great weather all year, and excellent dining and entertainment.