West Hollywood is a city incorporated in LA County 1984. Today it has about 35,000 residents. It is surrounded by Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood District, Beverly Hills, and by the Fairfax District.
Nowadays, West Hollywood is a very pleasant place to live. Its population is diverse. There live the members of the entertainment industry, senior citizens, and according to some statistics, 41% of the population is gay. The crime index is slightly higher than the LA average.
In the last five years the real estate prices dropped by 10%, so now the price per square foot is about $380. Only 21% of West Hollywood residents own their own property while the national average of home owners is 66%. The reason for this could be the property tax which is$2,000 higher than the national’s.
West Hollywood History and Distinctive Places
In the 18th century, after the arrival of the Spaniards, the gradual development of farms began. At the end of 19th century the territory started to develop rapidly because Moses Sherman, together with his partners and the Pacific Railway, established the railroad line. After this the population of the town grew. For a long time the City of West Hollywood managed to be autonomous, and succeeded to maintain its own law and regulations.
There are many restaurants, antique stores, and trendy boutiques. The area of Fountain Avenue is proud of Art Deco style and Spanish buildings.
Pacific Design Center (PDC) has 130 showrooms, private and public places, and a branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is host to many events, exhibitions, meetings and receptions. Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award is held in PDC.
The Annenberg Space for Photography is dedicated to exhibiting digital and print photography. Here can be seen works of famous and new emerging photographers.
