"I live in Topanga Canyon, which is like a faux-rustic enclave in Los Angeles. I love the sounds of all the critters outside - the frogs, owls, crickets, and birds. Some of the birds around here are pretty accomplished musicians. You can learn a lot from them." -- Cliff Martinez
Located in the Santa Monica Mountains in western Los Angeles County, California, Topanga is a small town situated in Topanga Canyon, and it is commonly known by that name as well. Encircled by Topanga State Park, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Pacific Palisades, and the Pacific Ocean as well as a portion of Malibu, the town of Topanga exudes a calming ambience, making it a perfect retreat from the vast metropolis of Los Angeles.
Rental prices in Los Angeles County are already among the highest in the nation
"I live in Topanga Canyon, which is like a faux-rustic enclave in Los Angeles. I love the sounds of all the critters outside - the frogs, owls, crickets, and birds. Some of the birds around here are pretty accomplished musicians. You can learn a lot from them." -- Cliff Martinez
Located in the Santa Monica Mountains in western Los Angeles County, California, Topanga is a small town situated in Topanga Canyon, and it is commonly known by that name as well. Encircled by Topanga State Park, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Pacific Palisades, and the Pacific Ocean as well as a portion of Malibu, the town of Topanga exudes a calming ambience, making it a perfect retreat from the vast metropolis of Los Angeles.
Moving to Topanga
Rental prices in Los Angeles County are already among the highest in the nation. Add to this fact that Topanga is a very sought after location and there are a limited amount of rental properties available, and you get one of the most expensive places to rent not only in California, but also in the nation.
Your Housing Menu
If you are searching for 1 bedroom apartments in Topanga, you may find your options limited. Even though there are quite a few single family homes and guest houses for rent, you will be more likely to find a rental with 2 bedrooms. Although the number of available rental properties are limited, the eclectic selection of dwellings are definitely fascinating. In addition, since Topanga is such a pet friendly community, you should have no problem finding pet friendly apartments in this area.
Renter Beware
Topanga boasts a variety of unique and hip rental homes and apartments, many of which were built before any sort of building codes were enforced, so be sure to keep your eyes open for any obvious infractions that may cause safety issues down the line.
Contract Day
As with most rental apartments and houses, you will usually be required to fill out an application, undergo a credit check, sign the lease and fork over the first month's rent and a security deposit before the landlord will turn the keys over to you. That being said, you may run into a few landlords that don't require anything of you other than your basic information and the first month's rent.
Topanga Neighborhoods
Believe it or not, although Topanga is the 435th largest community in California and covers 19.137 square miles, it is only made up of a single neighborhood -- Topanga. Far from being a drawback, this factor reinforces the strong sense of community that is prevalent in this quaint town situated amid lush parks, natural and recreation areas.
North Topanga: The north side of Topanga is a convenient setting for those who must commute to the San Fernando Valley. The highly acclaimed Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum and Los Angeles Shakespeare Company are also located in this part of town, making it a favorite location for fans of the arts.
South Topanga: If you plan to spend a lot of time at the beach, you may prefer the south side of Topanga, where a short scenic drive will take you to Pacific Coast Highway, from which you can choose from any number of sites to languish on the beach or play in the surf.
West Topanga: One of the Topanga mainstays located on the west side of town is The Inn of the Seventh Ray, a restaurant that offers fresh, organic meals in a peaceful, woodland setting.
East Topanga: On the east side of town, you will find Milan Vineyards nestled within the midst of the Santa Monica Mountains, near flourishing woods and quaint residences.
Living in Topanga
Topanga is known for its eclectic, artistic residents and thinking-outside-the-box attitude. Because of its small size and isolated location, most of Topanga's residents have fairly long commutes to work, although many are able to telecommute. While people in Topanga love to walk and ride bikes, most of them also own cars since public transportation is not available. Topanga boasts a low crime rate and a highly-educated community that passionately supports the arts and local businesses.
Topanga is a popular weekend escape for residents of the surrounding city of Los Angeles and its suburbs, attracting a large number of hikers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and those that simply want to go on a scenic drive to the beach. While this may be a source of annoyance to residents that prefer peace and quiet, you will find it a small price to pay for the opportunity to live in such beautiful surroundings.
Although the rental prices in Topanga are high, the quality of life you will enjoy here is well worth it. In Topanga, you can enjoy peaceful, rural living in a picturesque setting, while still taking advantage of the nearly unlimited amenities of the second largest city in the nation.
