Spotlight on West Hollywood

When many people think of real estate in Los Angeles, images of West Hollywood come to mind. Located only eight miles from downtown LA, it's the place many people who work in the big city on the weekends call home.

Situated between Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, this is certainly one of the most well-known and highly sought-after places to live in Southern California. West Hollywood is often considered the go-to place for residents who enjoy a vibrant night scene, top-notch restaurants and wide assortment of events and activities. Whether attending a gallery opening or having cocktails at a chic club, West Hollywood residents stay busy and brush shoulders with some of the most photographed faces on the red carpet.

Those interested in art will love living in West Hollywood as it is home to a concentration of art galleries and design studios. North Almont, Melrose Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard are great streets to stroll for a peek into the windows of these exclusive galleries.

But the West Hollywood street that is most famous for attracting residents, tourists and A-listers is the Sunset Strip, a mile and a half stretch of Sunset Boulevard. This is a popular spot for Hollywood's younger crowd, particularly on weekend evenings. Some of the most popular venues on the Strip include Bar Marmont at 8171 West Sunset Boulevard, The Sky Bar at 8440 Sunset Boulevard, The Viper Room at 8852 Sunset  Boulevard and The Comedy Store at 8433 West Sunset Boulevard.

However, you don't have to be a young party-goer to live in West Hollywood. According to the United States Census Bureau, the population in 2010 was 34,399, but 14.9 percent of residents were 65 and older. Families should know only 4.6 percent of the population was under the age of 18.

The median value of owner-occupied housing units from 2006 to 2010 was $656,000. The real estate market in West Hollywood is typically hot, as it is continuously popular for its walkability and recreation options. The local market primarily consists of condos, so single family homes typically sell well when placed on the market in West Hollywood.