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Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Families

Thinking of living in Los Angeles? With a large selection of kid-friendly activities, access to nearby beaches, and a variety of housing options, there’s plenty to love about this SoCal city. If you’re moving to LA with your family, here are five Los Angeles neighborhoods to consider settling down in!

Brentwood

  • Home Price: $1,628,579 median purchase price; $1,923 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of Los Angeles neighborhoods

Brentwood is one of the best areas to buy a home in Los Angeles! This Westside neighborhood sprawls across the hills, and features Mid-Century Modern ranches alongside Streamline Moderne and Hollywood Regency two-story homes with backyards boasting the best views in LA. In Brentwood, families also have access to great private schools like Brentwood School and The Archer School For Girls. And in addition to the outdoor recreation opportunities at Topanga State Park, you’ll find a variety of cuisines and trendy restaurants along San Vicente Blvd to keep your family entertained.

Things to Do in Brentwood

Have a family day learning about art at the Getty Museum, or relax at one of the four gardens at the Getty Center. Bike the trails and enjoy views of Los Angeles at Mandeville Canyon Park. Spend the day at the pool, use the fitness facility, or play a round of golf when you become a member at Brentwood Country Club. Watch the kids play a game of flag football or swing from the monkey bars at Barrington Recreation Center. Start your morning with an Iced Coffee and Cherry Danish from Amandine Patisserie Cafe. Feast on Italian favorites like Margherita Pizze, Ravioli Pomodoro, or Filetto Di Manzo at Toscana. Order a Cobb Salad, Rosemary Chicken Sandwich, or Baked Macaroni & Cheese at Coral Tree Cafe. Or for date night, enjoy a bottle of wine with hearty entrees like a Center Cut Filet Mignon or Chilean Sea Bass at Baltaire.

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Eagle Rock

  • Home Price: $515,345 median purchase price; $1,182 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of Los Angeles neighborhoods

Whether you’re looking for a Craftsman bungalow or a Spanish-style home, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock can accommodate your family’s needs! Located northeast of Downtown LA, Eagle Rock is a quiet residential area with lots of family-friendly activities and great schools like Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet and Eagle Rock Elementary. This eclectic and laid-back neighborhood is also home to a lively business district and variety of restaurants—from old-school Italian joints to New American cafes. And with fun community events like the annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, it’s easy to keep busy in this LA neighborhood!

Things to Do in Eagle Rock

Play a game of basketball or have a family picnic at Eagle Rock Recreation Center. Attend a variety of kid-friendly workshops like Portrait Drawing or Botanical Embroidery, or see one of the many exhibits at Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Watch puppets come to life when you see a show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Take the little ones on a playdate at Playlab. Enjoy a Honey Lavender Latte on the patio while your pet runs leash-free through the dog park at Muddy Paw Coffee LA. Try European-inspired breakfast dishes like a Cali Scramble, El Burrito, or Mamaliga at Lemon Poppy Kitchen. Stop by for a Pork Chop Dinner, Chili Burger, or a Roast Beef Sandwich at Pete’s Blue Chip Burgers. Or try slow-cooked, Southern-style barbecue dishes like a Brisket Sandwich paired with Cornbread at Max City BBQ.

Mar Vista

Small Single Family Ranch-Style Home in Mar Vista, California. Photo by Instagram user @theselemteam

Photo via @theselemteam

  • Home Price: $797,290 median purchase price; $1,576 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 89% of Los Angeles neighborhoods

Just west of Los Angeles lies the quaint family-friendly neighborhood of Mar Vista! This Los Angeles neighborhood offers a small-town vibe with a strong, tight-knit community—two things that can help families feel confident when raising their kids. It’s also surrounded by parks, restaurants, and highly-rated schools like Mar Vista Elementary School and Windward School. Those living in Mar Vista can settle down in Mid-Century Modern ranches and Spanish-style homes, while only being a short drive away from Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier! And if you’re looking for things to do in LA, pick up fresh fruits and veggies while the kids attend a cooking class at Mar Vista Farmers Market.

Things to Do in Mar Vista

Learn about Southern California’s aviation history, watch a film in the screening room, and marvel at the variety of aircraft at the Museum of Flying. Take the kids for a game of roller hockey, music class, or a swim at the Mar Vista Recreation Center. Connect your mind, body, and soul with a yoga class at Light on Lotus. Spark creativity in your family by learning the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel at Hands in Clay L.A. Chow down on German entrees like Jager Schnitzel or Homemade Spatzle at Rasselbock Kitchen & Beer Garden. Savor Hawaiian dishes like the Loco Moco Plate or Kalua Pork at Rutt’s Cafe. Enjoy comfort food like Mac & Cheese, the Kids Chicken Tenders, or a Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich at Rustic Kitchen Restaurant & Wine Bar. Or settle in for live music and an expansive global menu with entrees like Youvetsi or Pastitsio at The Mar Vista.

Playa Vista

Modern Farmhouse Style Home in Playa Vista, Los Angeles. Photo by Instagram user @nancyosbornere

Photo via @nancyosbornere

  • Home Price: $655,300 median purchase price; $1,535 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Los Angeles neighborhoods

Playa Vista on the west end of the city is another great neighborhood for families moving to La-La Land! In addition to it being close to schools like Playa Vista Elementary School and Westside Neighborhood School, Playa Vista is also home to Loyola Marymount University, so it’s the perfect location for students looking to stay close to home. There’s a wide range of housing styles throughout the neighborhood, from Streamline Moderne to Mission Revival, for families to choose from. Playa Vista is filled with fun things for families to do, like spending the day at one of the 29 parks or attending the Playa Vista Farmer Mark on Saturdays.

Things to Do in Playa Vista

Adopt new furry friends or attend a pet comedy show at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace. Take the kids to learn about the local Wetlands at Ballona Discovery Park. Go on a family hike on the LMU Trail. Get in some retail therapy, stop by a fitness studio, or dine at one of the restaurants at Runway Playa Vista. Dig in to hearty breakfast options like Banana Nutella French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, or a Bagel with Lox at Hash. Get classic dishes like Grilled Salmon Pita or a Chicken Gyro at Rodini Park Greek Kitchen. Indulge in traditional Italian entrees like Della Casa Pizza, Spaghetti Carbonara, or Pollo Parmigiana at Ritrovo. Or have a Buffalo Chicken Flatbread or a Southwest Playa Bowl at Gulp Restaurant & Brew Co.

Studio City

Single Family Home in Studio City, Los Angeles. Photo by Instagram user @teamsorrentino

Photo via @teamsorrentino

  • Home Price: $871,116 median purchase price; $1,619 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of Los Angeles neighborhoods

Looking for a great LA neighborhood to raise kids? Check out Studio City! Separated from Hollywood by 122-acre Fryman Canyon Park, this LA neighborhood offers families big-city amenities, access to a variety of restaurants and shops off Ventura Blvd—and close proximity to local attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood. And while there’s plenty of fun over the hills, Studio City offers an insulated experience perfect for raising kids. A wide variety of housing options are available in Studio City—from apartments and bungalows to two-story homes in Streamline Moderne and Craftsman styles. Many local children attend Carpenter Community Charter, Bridges Academy, Campbell Hall, and other LA schools near Studio City—but you can also find them playing after school or playing kid-friendly activities at the Studio City Farmers Market.

Things to Do in Studio City

Explore the shops of Hogsmeade and ride family-friendly rollercoasters at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. Enroll the kids in hip-hop lessons or take a master class from famous choreographers like Brian Friedman or Travis Wall at Millennium Dance Complex. Join a book club with your kids or attend poetry readings at Studio City Branch Library. Spend the morning playing the nine-hole course at Weddington Golf & Tennis. Try the Fried Chicken Sandwich, Tuna Salad, or PB&J at Joan’s on Third. Sample Argentinian food like Pechuga Napolitana, Arroz Del Campo, or Canelones at Lala’s Argentine Grill. Or get a babysitter and enjoy Mushroom Pappardelle with a handcrafted cocktail at Firefly.

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