Best Places to Buy a Home in Los Angeles

Buying a home in Los Angeles? The City of Angels offers everything from beachfront condos to family-friendly homes in the San Fernando Valley that sell fast in a very competitive housing market. Check out these five neighborhoods that are great places for buying a home in Los Angeles!

Mar Vista

  • Home Price: $797,290 median home value
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 89% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Want a family-oriented neighborhood in LA? Look no further than Mar Vista! West of the Los Angeles Metro, Mar Vista offers a safe environment with a small-town vibe perfect for families craving a calmer locale. LA residents looking to buy a home in Mar Vista can find many different housing styles, like Mid-Century Modern ranches and Spanish-style homes, near quality schools like Mar Vista Elementary School and Windward School. Because this quaint LA neighborhood is surrounded by parks like Clover Park, Marine Park, and Penmar Park—as well as a community garden, farmers market, and great restaurants—there are always things to do in Mar Vista!

Things to Do in Mar Vista

Spend the day walking the Santa Monica Pier or relaxing beachside at nearby Venice Beach. See aircraft on display at the Museum of Flight. Take the kids to the Mar Vista Recreation Center to play volleyball, basketball, roller hockey, and more. Stop by Mar Vista Public Library to attend storytime or one of the many other events for kids, teens, and adults. Start your morning with a Macchiato, Matcha Latte, or Green Juice from Alana’s Coffee Roasters, and then come back in the evening for open mic night. Dine at Sunny Grill, where you can’t go wrong with a Garden Burger or Club Sandwich. Indulge in Taiwanese classics such as Kung Pao Chicken or Beef Chow Fun and a Pink Rabbit cocktail from Little Fatty. Or experience the taste of Hawaii in dishes like Fried Saimin or a Loco Moco Plate at Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe.

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North Hollywood

  • Home Price: $405,914 median home value
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 38% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

North Hollywood, or “NoHo” as it’s often referred to by locals, is one of the more eclectic neighborhoods in LA, offering a mix of culture, history, and Modern and Craftsman-style homes nestled alongside cafes, cocktail lounges, vintage shops, and the NoHo Arts District. For those pursuing higher education, Los Angeles Valley College is also located in the neighborhood. With easy access to the 101 and a subway stop on the Red Line and the Orange Line, it’s easy for commuters to travel to Downtown LA or nearby Burbank. This LA neighborhood is also home to the Hollywood Burbank Airport, so traveling for vacation or business is simple!

Things to Do in North Hollywood

Catch the latest play at El Portal Theatre or musical at The Road Theatre Company. Spend the day in the outdoor pool, go for a jog, or watch the kids climb on the playground at North Hollywood Recreation Center. Learn the history of California through images of significant figures and important events at The Great Wall of Los Angeles. Browse the largest used bookstore in the LA metro for your next paperback at The Iliad Bookshop! Go shopping in LA for unique vintage finds at stores like Iguana Vintage Clothing. Pair a Cheese Board with a glass of Pinot Noir to relax on the patio with your furry friend at The Fat Dog. Savor Mediterranean dishes like Gyros or Grilled Falafel at Rodini Park. Feast on wings with signature sauces like Spicy Lemon or The Famous Krunked from Bird Box Wings. Dig into classic Mexican favorites like Carne Asada, Shrimp Fajitas, and Cheese Enchiladas at La Maria Restaurant. Finish the night with a Mai Tai or Blue Hawaiian from Tonga Hut, LA’s oldest surviving Tiki bar!

Playa del Rey

  • Home Price: $873,850 median home value
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

If you’re searching for places to live near the beach in Los Angeles, then consider buying a home in the seaside community of Playa del Rey! Many of the cozy bungalows, beachfront condos, and California coastal ranches in this LA neighborhood come with stunning ocean views and are within minutes of Playa del Rey Beach. This family-friendly LA neighborhood also offers a great selection of top-rated schools like Loyola Village Elementary School and Paseo del Rey Natural Science Magnet, as well as close proximity to dining, entertainment, and nightlife spots. With nearby access to the 405 and bus stops via the 115 Metro Line, commuters are able to travel all over the LA metro. And with Los Angeles International Airport in your backyard, Playa del Rey is an ideal spot for business travelers!

Things to Do in Playa del Rey

Enjoy a picnic, sunset hike, volunteer cleanup event, or see more than 250 species of birds while visiting the freshwater and saltwater marshes of the Ballona Wetlands. Make your way down to Dockweiler Beach to surf, hang glide, relax by the ocean, or play a game of beach volleyball with friends, or watch the kids splash around in Del Rey Lagoon. Enjoy Playa Fish Tacos or the Lobster Roll, from Playa Provisions—be sure to save room for a Stuffed Cookie! Devour classic Italian favorites like a bowl of Minestrone, Portobello Mushroom Ravioli, or Eggplant Parmigiana from Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant. Try Caprese Salad with a Meat Lovers Pizza or an Italian Beef Hot Sub at Hank’s Pizza. Or hang out on a lively LA bar patio with sharable plates and imaginative cocktails like the Mad Mango Sour and Jalisco Mule at Bacari PDR.

El Sereno

photo via @kyleasai

  • Home Price: $361,841 median home value
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 58% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

If you’re looking to buy a home in Los Angeles in a quiet suburban area where you can still dip into the hustle and bustle of nearby city life, consider the Eastside neighborhood of El Sereno! This LA neighborhood is a great choice for homebuyers thanks to its budget-friendly housing options, including renovated Tudors and Mission Revival homes. For commuting residents, this area provides quick access to I-10, the 110, and many bus stops. El Sereno also offers access to excellent schools like Sierra Park Elementary School, El Sereno Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson Senior High School. Plus, plenty of green spaces like Ascot Hills Park and Lincoln Park make this neighborhood in Los Angeles a great spot for families and retirees to settle down!

Things to Do in El Sereno

Watch a dance performance or attend an Acro Flow dance class at Stomping Ground LA. Sign the whole family up for thrilling aerial lessons at The Aerial House. Bring your rollerblades for sick tricks on the rails, or practice your foot plant tricks at El Sereno Skate Park. Visit El Sereno Senior Citizen Center to attend a fitness class, movie matinee, or bingo night. Support local small businesses every Wednesday while wandering the El Sereno Night Market. Check out the latest book from El Sereno Branch Library. Grab a seat on the patio and start your morning with a Toasted Bagel and an Iced Cafe De Olla at Holy Grounds Coffee & Tea. Stop by Doughbox Los Angeles and try The Manny Special Deep Dish Pizza or The Griffin Pan Pizza. Or enjoy classic Mexican favorites such as an Asada Burrito, Carnitas Plate Combo, or Tamales at Tamale Man.

Woodland Hills

  • Home Price: $663,193 median home value
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Families, retirees

Bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley, Woodland Hills is a safe, affordable neighborhood in Los Angeles that appeals to all lifestyles. With tree-lined streets offering a great mix of housing options like Spanish Revival and Mediterranean-style homes, it’s no wonder so many Los Angeles residents seek out the Woodland Hills neighborhood! Families will enjoy living in Woodland Hills thanks to well-rated schools like Calabash Charter Academy and Taft Charter High School. And with easy access to the 101, it’s easy for commuters to drive from the Valley into Downtown LA.

Things to Do in Woodland Hills

Become a Woodland Hills Country Club member to spend the day playing golf or getting your heart pumping with group fitness classes. Have a family picnic overlooking stunning views of the Santa Monica, Santa Susana, and San Gabriel Mountain ranges at the Top of Topanga Overlook. Stop by for a quick swim, painting or drawing classes, and summer camps for the kids at the Woodland Hills Recreation Center. Visit the world’s largest bounce park and watch the kids complete the Ninja Challenge or get lost in the giant maze at FUNBOX! Start your morning with freshly-baked Chocolate Old Fashion donuts or a Raspberry Butterfly Roll from Blinkie’s Donuts. Dine on mouth-watering Mediterranean and European-inspired dishes like Crab Cake Salad, Hummus Pita, or a Grilled Salmon Wrap at Leo & Lily. Or enjoy a night of DJ-led karaoke fun with Chicago-style pizza at Paoli’s Pizzeria & Piano Bar.

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Moving to Los Angeles? Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage facility locations across the LA metro that can help with your transition. Find cheap storage in Los Angeles!

Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

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