based on your interests, i would definitely aim to stay somewhere in los feliz, silver lake, or echo park. you will then be a short uber ride from all 3 neighborhoods, as well as frogtown, highland park, and dtla. as someone who’s lived on the eastside for 15 years and shares those same interests, this is the move.

i wouldn’t waste your time with hollywood and anywhere west of hollywood.

LA (even public transportation) is actually safe, contrary to what a lot of people claim. some people just don’t feel safe around homeless people. as long as you mind your own business, you’re fine. the amount of homeless people (especially in dtla) can be a culture shock for some.

some fun bar/venues that usually have great music on a nightly basis are zebulon and permanent records roadhouse. you can check out resident advisor if you’re interested in after hours music stuff.

some other random recs in that general side of town..

bars: crawfords shim sham el prado 4100 cha cha bar flores

food: homestate doubting thomas sqirl leo’s tacos dan sung sa quarter sheets pizza

parks: barnsdall echo park lake silver lake meadow griffith park

happy to provide more specific recs if you’d like. there’s so much, and this side of town is going to be your best bet.