I have spent time in all three, and they actually feel pretty different even though they’re close to each other.
Silver Lake probably has the most “trendy” vibe. A lot of coffee shops, creative people, and newer spots. It feels very walkable in certain areas, but rent can get pretty high.
Echo Park feels a bit more mixed. You’ve got the lake, some great food spots, and a slightly more laid-back feel compared to Silver Lake. It can vary a lot depending on the exact street though.
Los Feliz is probably the calmest and most “neighborhood-like.” It feels a bit cleaner and more residential, but still has good restaurants and easy access to Griffith Park.
In terms of living in Los Angeles, I did say:
• Silver Lake = best for nightlife + trendy vibe
• Echo Park = best mix of price and location
• Los Feliz = best for a quieter, more stable feel
If someone is moving to Los Angeles for the first time, I would probably recommend Los Feliz just because it’s a bit easier to settle into and feels more balanced overall. I love Echo Park / Silver Lake as well. You can’t really go wrong with either of these three choices.
Silverlake has better access south towards the 10 / Santa Monica, and Downtown is easier to reach via Echo Park.