Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Families

Los Angeles is the country’s second-biggest city. While this can mean excitement, convenience, and culture, it can also make finding a family-friendly Los Angeles neighborhood a little difficult.

Although LA is only the second biggest city in terms of population, it is the biggest in terms of square footage, and that’s not even including the entire county. With this much space comes the possibility of all kinds of different neighborhoods—including those perfect for families!

In this guide, we’ll be breaking down everything you need to know about LA county’s best family-friendly areas to live in. We’ll also be showing some important Niche ratings for each neighborhood, including:

• Overall rating
• Good for families 
• Crime & safety
• Public schools 
• Cost of living
• Housing
• Outdoor activities 

Quick facts about Los Angeles

To get a better idea of the area as a whole, let’s take a look at some quick facts about Los Angeles County:

• Population – The population of LA county is a whopping 10,081,570, making it the largest county in the United States.
  
• Known for – Los Angeles County and all of Southern California is known for its year-round sunshine and mild temperatures. LA locals can also attest to the county’s incredible Mexican food, great hiking spots, and plenty of celebrity sightings to keep you on your toes. Los Angeles is also known for all its incredible spots like DTLA, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica Pier, the Griffith Observatory, and more.
  
• Average household income – The median household income in LA county is $68,044—slightly higher than the national average of $62,843. 

• Average home value – Homes in California are known for being pricey, and Los Angeles is no different. The average home value in LA county is $583,200—well above the national average of $217,500.
  
• Average rent – While there are plenty of homeowners spread across LA county, there are also tons of renters. The median rent in Los Angeles is $1,460 per month—a bit more than the national average of $1,062.
  
• Cost of living – If you haven’t already guessed, Los Angeles County is going to have a slightly higher cost of living than many other parts of the country. Compared to the nationwide average, the cost of living in LA county is about 64% higher overall.
  
• Who lives here – Los Angeles County is a diverse and interesting place to live, and the Angelinos certainly contribute to these qualities. Made up of 54% renters and 46% homeowners, LA county offers a mix of families and young professionals alike. A large number of people work in artistic fields such as filmmaking and music. Los Angeles County is home to many large and diverse populations, including Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+  communities, among others. It’s safe to say that Los Angeles County perfectly embodies the best of what makes America so unique.

Best cities for families in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County is huge, and all this space leaves ample room for a number of family-friendly cities and neighborhoods. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best areas in LA county for families:

Los Angeles

If we’re talking about LA County, we can’t skip over the largest city in the area: Los Angeles, itself. Many people don’t realize that Los Angeles is less of a single city, and more like a combination of many diverse neighborhoods. 

Before we jump into the best areas for families, let’s take a look at the City of Angels as a whole:

• Population – The population of Los Angeles totals 3,966,936.

• Average household income – The average household income in Los Angeles is $62,142—slightly lower than the countywide average.

• Average home value – The average home value in Los Angeles weighs in at $636,900.

• Average rent – The average rent in Los Angeles is $1,450.

• Cost of living – Given the high housing costs, among other things like utilities and food, the cost of living in LA County comes out to around 42.6% higher than the national average.

Niche Report Card

Using our handy Niche Report Card, let’s break down some key elements of Los Angeles as a whole:

• Overall Rating – B+
• Good for Families – B
• Crime & Safety – C
• Public Schools – B
• Cost of Living – D
• Housing – D
• Outdoor Activities – A+

Family-favorite neighborhoods in Los Angeles

While Los Angeles may be known for its bustling nightlife and Hollywood productions, the city actually offers a wide range of quiet, residential neighborhoods. Some of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for families include:

• Hancock Park – One of the nicest neighborhoods the city has to offer is nestled in the heart of East Los Angeles. Hancock Park is a quintessential suburban neighborhood, with tree-lined sidewalks, local shops, and plenty of kid-friendly parks. This Los Angeles neighborhood is located between LA’s Koreatown and West Hollywood, giving it the perfect balance of quiet, residential streets and urban convenience nearby. Approximately 21% of Hancock Park residents are families with children.

• Bel-Air – Bel-Air is one of LA’s most well-known neighborhoods, and for good reason. This sparse suburb offers the perfect escape from the bustling Los Angeles life. With a median property value of $2,000,001 and families with children making up 26% of the population, it’s no surprise that Bel-Air has earned a reputation as a wonderful place to live.

• Brentwood – Located just west of Bel-Air, Brentwood is listed as the #5 best neighborhood to raise a family in LA on Niche. With highly-rated public schools, outdoor activities, and 23% of residents having children, you’ll find yourself searching for a home in Brentwood before we can even finish this description. 

If you’re excited about the possibility of living in one of LA’s family-friendly neighborhoods, it’s always best to trust a local to help you find the perfect home. Our agents at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties are experts in all things Angelino—especially those looking for a quiet area of the city. 

Santa Monica

Searching for a family-friendly city that’s closer to the coast? Look no further than LA’s stunning Santa Monica. Technically its own city, Santa Monica is a fan favorite of Los Angeles County residents. 

Let’s take a look at what this quiet, beachy town has to offer:

• Population – The population of Santa Monica is much smaller than Los Angeles at 91,577.

• Average household income – Santa Monica residents tend to earn quite a bit more than the average LA county resident. The average household income in this oceanside city is $96,570 per year. 

• Average home value – Don’t let the small population fool you, however. Santa Monica is still very much an LA county city, with an average property value of $1,382,700.

• Average rent – A large number of Santa Monica residents rent their homes, with average prices hovering around $1,802 per month. 

• Cost of living – LA Curbed reports that Santa Monica has some of the highest costs of living in LA—especially when it comes to rentals.

Niche Report Card

To get a better idea of Santa Monica as a whole, let’s browse some of the city’s most important Niche ratings:

• Overall Rating – A+
• Good for Families – A+
• Crime & Safety – C
• Public Schools – A+
• Cost of Living – D+
• Housing – C
• Outdoor Activities – A+

Family-favorite neighborhoods in Santa Monica

Despite only being 16 square miles across, Santa Monica boasts plenty of diverse neighborhoods. For families with children, the following areas will be your best bet for finding a forever home in Santa Monica:

• Ocean Park – The name says it all for this nautical neighborhood. Ocean Park offers A+ public schools, gorgeous oceanside views, and plenty of local shops and restaurants to visit with the family.
  
• Wilshire Montana – Stretching from Ocean Avenue to 22nd Street, the Wilshire Montana neighborhood is another great area for beach-loving families. With the average property value sitting above $1,000,000 and plenty of highly-rated public schools, families will have no trouble falling in love with this coveted and ideal neighborhood.
  
• Sunset Park – Sunset Park earns high ratings for its public schools and outdoor activities. With the perfect balance of urban and suburban areas, families can get the best of both worlds in this neighborhood. Being slightly farther from the beach, residents can also score much lower housing costs in Santa Monica’s Sunset Park.

Searching for your dream beachside home in Santa Monica? You’ll need a trusted real estate agent at your side. Fortunately, our experts at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties are trained to navigate the competitive housing market in this oceanside city. 

Beverly Hills

If you know anything about LA county, you know that Beverly Hills is the place to be. With lavish homes, designer stores, and plenty of space to breathe, the city of Beverly Hills is a place like no other. 

While it may be an expensive place to live, there are tons of benefits that make up for the cost of living in Beverly Hills. Let’s take a look at the basics of this LA city: 

• Population – Beverly Hills has a modest population of 34,186.

• Average household income – The average household income in Beverly Hills is quite high: $106,936 per year, to be exact.

• Average home value – The average home value in this city is $2,000,001.

• Average rent – Beverly Hills has a slightly higher number of renters than homeowners, but the steep housing prices remain the same. The average cost of a rental property in Beverly Hills is $2,244 per month. 

• Cost of living – Beverly Hills gets a D rating on Niche for its cost of living, simply because—well—it is an expensive place to live. Keep in mind, though, that you definitely get what you pay for in this glamorous LA suburb. 

Niche Report Card

If you’re not sold on Beverly Hills just yet, let’s take a look at the city’s Niche Report Card for more information:

• Overall Rating – A+
• Good for Families – A+
• Crime & Safety – C+
• Public Schools – A+
• Cost of Living – D
• Housing – C-
• Outdoor Activities – A+

Family-favorite neighborhoods in Beverly Hills

Despite only stretching across 5.71 square miles, the suburb still has a number of unique neighborhoods to choose from. Families can find their dream home in The Hills in any of these areas:

• Beverly Hills Post Office – Sitting directly above the Beverly Hills city line, this neighborhood offers highly rated public schools and 23% families with children.
  
• Trousdale Estates – The small community of Trousdale Estates comes with the famous zip code 90210. This gorgeous neighborhood is located on the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, and boasts million-dollar homes and 24% families with children.
  
• Beverlywood – Located on the southside of Beverly Hills, the aptly named Beverlywood is the perfect place for homeowners and families. With 73% of residents owning homes and 31% having children—this neighborhood earns an A rating on Niche for being good for families.
  

Families who crave the Beverly Hills lifestyle will need a trusted real estate agent who knows the area. Find your dream home in the Santa Monica Mountains with the help of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

Bring your family to LA with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

Whether you’re looking for a Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, or Brentwood REALTOR®, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties has you covered. We want to find not only a safe neighborhood, but an ideal neighborhood for you to enjoy all that Los Angeles has to offer. 

Our real estate professionals understand the needs and challenges that Los Angeles locals face, and we’re dedicated to making the process of finding your perfect home easier. We know what neighborhoods work best for families, where to look to stay within your budget, and how to seal the deal on the home you’ve always wanted. 

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly neighborhoods in San Diego or family-friendly neighborhoods in Orange County, contact Berkshire and start living the California dream, and find an agent today!

Source: Niche