Our sober living homes and sober apartments for men are on the Westside: the homes in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City, the apartments in West Los Angeles. None of them are east of the river. This page is for men from Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Montebello who are looking at sober housing across town, roughly 17 to 24 miles away by road (approximate figures).
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.
The Eastside and Northeast LA in numbers
This region mixes City of Los Angeles neighborhoods with unincorporated East Los Angeles and the separate city of Montebello.
- East Los Angeles, the largest community here, had about 117,200 residents (Census Bureau 2022 estimate via LA Almanac). It is unincorporated, meaning the county, not a city, governs it. It sits roughly 20 miles from Mar Vista.
- Boyle Heights had about 79,000 people in the county’s 2020 neighborhood figures, roughly 17 miles away (LA County Countywide Statistical Area table).
- Highland Park had about 43,300 and Eagle Rock about 36,400, both roughly 20 miles away (same source).
- El Sereno had about 38,300 and Lincoln Heights about 29,500 (same source).
- Montebello had about 62,100 residents and is roughly 24 miles away (Census Bureau 2022 estimate via LA Almanac).
Mileage is approximate road distance from Mar Vista, so check a map for your exact route.
The E Line runs from the Eastside to the beach
The Metro E Line is what makes this region different. It starts at Atlantic in East Los Angeles, runs through Boyle Heights and Downtown, and continues west to Culver City, Palms, Westwood/Rancho Park and Downtown Santa Monica (Los Angeles Metro). For a man from East LA or Boyle Heights, the Westside is a one-seat train ride, with no transfer. Few parts of the county have that, and it shapes everything about a move from here: you can visit home on a Sunday, keep an appointment on the Eastside, or let your mother come see you without either of you needing a car.
From Northeast LA the trip takes one change:
- Highland Park and Lincoln Heights: the A Line runs into Downtown and meets the E Line at Little Tokyo/Arts District.
- Eagle Rock: Metro 217 starts at Eagle Rock Plaza and runs along Los Feliz Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue to the La Cienega/Jefferson E Line station.
- Montebello and East LA: Metro 18 runs from the Montebello Metrolink station along Whittier Boulevard and 6th Street to Wilshire/Western, where Wilshire buses continue west.
- El Sereno: check metro.net for the closest connection to the A Line or E Line from your street.
Why men from the Eastside choose the Westside
On the Eastside, a lot of men live close to the family and friends they grew up with. That support can be a strength in recovery. It can also make it hard to change anything when the people you used with are a few doors down. Moving about 20 miles west is a clean break from the old routine without a break from family, because the train still goes home.
Some men come for a job or a training program on the Westside. Others finished treatment somewhere west of Downtown and want to stay near their outpatient team and the meetings they found there. Whatever the reason, we will tell you honestly if staying closer to home looks like the better plan.
Two options on the Westside
Sober living is the structured choice for early recovery: drug tests 3 times a week, daily alcohol tests, medication management systems and weekly updates to family and providers. Residents can work full time and go to local colleges. Sober living tours can be in person or virtual.
The sober apartments are for men ready to run their own week. They come furnished, month to month, with utilities and WiFi included, and the only structure is weekly random drug and alcohol testing. They are open to anyone who qualifies. Schedule an apartment tour, or call or text (888) 305-5422.
For families and treatment teams on the Eastside
Families from Boyle Heights or East LA can reach the homes by E Line for a visit, or start with a virtual tour of sober living. Our sober living homes send weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams, so the people back home are not left guessing. Parents and partners can also join the free virtual family support group every other Tuesday, 6 to 7 PM Pacific, led by a licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services. Learn more on our families page, or see our page for treatment professionals if you are referring a client.
The county’s public line for substance use treatment is 1-800-854-7771, option 2 (LA County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control).
Questions from the Eastside and Northeast LA
Is there a direct train from East Los Angeles to the Westside?
Yes. The Metro E Line starts at Atlantic in East Los Angeles and runs through Boyle Heights and Downtown to Culver City, Palms and Santa Monica without a transfer.
How do I get from Highland Park to the Westside without a car?
Take the Metro A Line into Downtown and switch to the E Line at Little Tokyo/Arts District, then ride it west.
Can my family visit from Boyle Heights?
Yes. Boyle Heights is on the E Line, so family can ride straight to the Westside. We can also start with a virtual tour of sober living if that is easier.
Can I go from treatment straight into the sober apartments?
Sometimes. It depends on where you are in recovery and what your treatment team recommends. Many men start in sober living first. Call us and we will give you an honest answer.
Nearby places and regions
Place pages: Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and Highland Park. Neighboring regions: Downtown and Central LA, San Gabriel Valley and Gateway Cities. Back to all areas in Los Angeles County.
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.