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If you’re looking to move out west, Los Angeles is an ideal city to relocate to. Commonly known as the City of Angels, Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the country and the cultural, financial, and entertainment center of Southern California. Situated on the Pacific coast, the city enjoys mild weather year-round, making it a popular destination for anyone purchasing California real estate.
Whether you’re looking for a bustling metropolis or a laid-back beach town, you’ll find it all in Los Angeles. The city is considered one of the world’s leading centers of business, fashion, media, and art; and home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, including The Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, and the Griffith Observatory. But it’s also a paradise for those who enjoy spending time outdoors since it boasts everything from pristine natural landscapes to world-famous beaches, and towering mountain peaks.
Angelenos love their city because it’s culturally rich and highly diverse, and that love has now spread. A growing number of people from all corners of the country and globe are moving here to try and achieve their dreams. If you are one of those people, La-La Land is home to hundreds of different neighborhoods that offer entrepreneurs, artists, young professionals, and families ample opportunity to thrive and succeed in a diverse and multicultural setting.
Any prospective Angeleno will want to consider the best suburbs of Los Angeles, CA, before deciding where to live and where to purchase a home for sale in Los Angeles. Depending on your circumstances, many factors can be considered, including commute times, schools, crime rates, amenities, and quality of life. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to finding the right LA suburb; however, there are five standout communities that are worth considering.
What Are The Best Suburbs In Los Angeles?
1. Torrance
Torrance is a picturesque coastal city in the southwestern corner of Los Angeles, directly north of the famed Palos Verdes Peninsula. Torrance is known for its housing affordability, manageable cost of living, top-notch educational opportunities, and calm beaches whose shallow waters are highly attractive for families with small children. Torrance is the 8th-largest city in Los Angeles County and is home to approximately 150K people. It’s an increasingly popular city for its relaxed beach atmosphere, desirable SoCal weather, low crime rates, and central location.
With a large number of families looking to move to this beachside location, the Torrance real estate market is booming and heavily favoring sellers. The median price of homes for sale in Torrance is $1.1M, with properties selling (often above the asking price) after spending 20 days on the market. The single-family detached home is this suburb’s most prevalent form of housing. Homebuyers can choose from various architectural styles, including fine examples of California bungalows and ranches, Queen-Anne and Colonial Revival houses, some Mid-Century modern homes, and some residences with mixed styles. The most luxurious houses in Torrance are those located oceanfront, like the mansions along Paseo De La Playa priced in the multi-million range.
However, there are still great deals to be found in Torrance. For those willing to put in the research, it is possible to find properties priced below market value. An experienced Torrance real estate agent can be of great help. The most conveniently-priced dwellings are tiny starter homes (between $695K and $950K), townhouses, and condos for sale in Torrance (from $400K). The units available are mostly located south of downtown Torrance, along Crenshaw Blvd.
Move to Torrance, California, if you want to settle in a mature, well-connected community with a plethora of entertainment options (including museums, urban parks, beaches, and natural preserves). Torrance also boasts over 100 high-quality K-12 public and private schools and some famous colleges like UCLA and USC nearby. It also has a crime rate almost three times lower than the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area and a more relaxed lifestyle than Los Angeles.
Attractions & Landmarks: Torrance Art Museum, Lomita Railroad Museum, Charles H. Wilson Park, Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center, Los Arboles Rocketship Park, Rat Beach, Torrance County Beach, Western Museum of Flight.
Distance from Los Angeles: 21 miles / 27 minutes
Median Sale Price: $1.1M
Zip Codes: 90501, 90503, 90504, 90505
2. Irvine
In California, Irvine ranks consistently as one of the safest locations to live and bring up a family. This Orange County city is one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States, and it’s conveniently located around 42 miles south of Los Angeles and 85 miles north of San Diego. Fast-growing, vibrant, and safe, this suburban retreat is home to a charming collection of villages with well-crafted single-family homes, modern amenities, stunning natural beauty with its 5,250 acres of preserved open space, and some of the best schools on the West Coast.
As a prolific seller’s market, Irvine real estate is in hot demand, and properties usually sell rapidly. Although it is a planned city, not all the Irvine housing stock looks alike. Many of the homes for sale in Irvine, California, are among the most stunning and well-constructed in Southern Los Angeles. If you’re looking for a detached single-family home in the Irvine area, you’ll have plenty of modern, spacious single and two-story homes on large lots with meticulously-kept lawns and desirable custom updates. A significant number of the houses date from Irvine’s first construction between the ’60s and ’70s.
Townhouses and condos for sale are also part of the Irvine real estate inventory. Most of the units are located in the city’s urban areas and feature sleek designs and cozy layouts with between one and four bedrooms. Prices for condominiums in Irvine, California, can vary greatly, from $415K to $2.5M, and condo-living often implies access to resort-style amenities such as pools, spas, tennis courts, utilities, and more.
Irvine was named the second healthiest place to live in America in 2021 and the fifth happiest city in 2022. Locals take great pride in their city being well-organized, clean, and pedestrian-friendly. Irvine is broken up into 50 distinct areas known as villages, each with its own residential developments, commercial districts, high-performing schools (including a local campus of the University of California), and upscale amenities. For outdoor enthusiasts, the proximity of Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, and Limestone Canyon Regional Park are also major draws to this active SoCal community.
Attractions & Landmarks: Pretend City Children’s Museum, William R Mason Regional Park, Crystal Cove State Park, Big Air Trampoline Park, Pacific Ridge Trailhead.
Distance from Los Angeles: 46 miles / 48 minutes
Median Sale Price: $1.3M
Zip Codes: 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92618, 92620
3. Manhattan Beach
Wishing to trade the fast-paced, congested life in Los Angeles for a laid-back lifestyle in a cozy seaside community? Manhattan Beach, named after one of the local beaches, might be the right suburb for you. With its mild climate and Mediterranean-style architecture, Manhattan Beach is a true California gem offering a perfect mix of urban convenience and coastal relaxation just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport. Families, empty-nesters, and young professionals relocating to the area will enjoy ocean-focused recreation, upscale shops and restaurants, and relatively good traffic.
The Manhattan Beach housing market is one of the most desirable in California, and the strong demand for Manhattan Beach real estate has resulted in high prices and growing competition. The median sale price of a home in Manhattan Beach is over $3M, and it’s rare to find a home selling for under $1.3M in this market. On the other hand, high-value real estate in Manhattan Beach costs up to $30M, and it’s typically located along the oceanfront.
The largest percentage of the city’s available dwellings are single-family detached homes. Still, downsizers can find a limited number of carefully-renovated townhomes and condos for sale in Manhattan Beach, CA as well. The homes for sale in Manhattan Beach commonly have three, four, or five bedrooms and range from modest California bungalows and Ranch-style properties to more high-end contemporary-style custom builds and lavish mansions of Mediterranean design on expansive lots with panoramic ocean views. Features like oversized lawns, pools, and backyards are not as frequent in Manhattan Beach as in other LA suburbs. The most valuable attribute of the real estate for sale in Manhattan Beach tends to be its distance from the beach.
Living in Manhattan Beach offers residents a safe environment with casual beach culture and a strong sense of community. Residents come together for several events throughout the year, including their weekly farmer’s market and an annual sandcastle competition. Manhattan Beach has a bustling downtown (loved by locals and tourists) that ends in a famous pier and aquarium. This area is filled with upscale clothing boutiques, excellent restaurants, bars, and lively nightlife venues. For additional shopping, the Manhattan Village Mall is at the intersection of SR1 and Rosecrans Ave.
For fun, Manhattan Beach is the perfect place to relax and soak up the California sun while surfing, swimming, or practicing watersports. Non-ocean-related plans include practicing golf at West Drift Golf course or going for a stroll along the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt or through the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden.
Attractions & Landmarks: Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach Pier, Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden, Marine Ave Park, Polliwog Park, Sand Dune Park.
Distance from Los Angeles: 20 miles / 30 minutes
Median Sale Price: $3.1M
Zip Codes: 90266
4. Santa Monica
Fondly called ‘The City By The Sea,” Santa Monica is a coveted Southern California city that takes beachfront living to a new level. Home to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, the city is located directly west of downtown Los Angeles between the harbors of Marina del Rey and the canyons and mountains of the Topanga State Park.
Rated one of the best suburbs of Los Angeles by Niche.com, Santa Monica provides the best of both worlds—a relaxed beach town atmosphere combined with the energy and excitement of a cosmopolitan city. Relocators looking to call Santa Monica home value the abundance of tech-related jobs (the area is known as “Silicon Beach”), the high-performing public schools of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and the dynamic real estate market.
Santa Monica real estate is a highly sought-after market in Los Angeles County. As a result, properties in Santa Monica command a premium price (homebuyers can expect entry-level home prices starting at around $1M). However, those who can take advantage of the Santa Monica, CA, real estate market will be rewarded with a property that is sure to appreciate. Santa Monica, CA, offers buyers a housing supply of single-family detached homes, condos, and townhouses.
Families looking to purchase in the area can expect modest, well-kept settler homes as well as one-of-a-kind beachfront custom-builds with five or more bedrooms and sweeping views of the ocean. For buyers interested in condominiums, downtown Santa Monica is a popular location for highrises. The prices for a condo for sale in Santa Monica range from $1.5M for a studio to $7.9M for a 3-bedroom unit.
Santa Monica is definitely the city for you if you’re looking for a place to enjoy the good life. With fantastic weather year-round, Santa Monica is designed to make the most of the sun, whether you’re relaxing on any of the local or nearby beaches, getting some exercise, or enjoying brunch in the backyard with the whole family. Aside from visiting the Santa Monica Pier, locals enjoy strolling the Promenade for some retail therapy and dining at the local restaurants and eateries, golfing at Brentwood Country Club, or going for a hike at Temescal Canyon Park.
Attractions & Landmarks: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica State Beach, Douglas Park, Crescent Bay Park, Heal the Bay Aquarium, Annenberg Community Beach House.
Distance from Los Angeles: 15 miles / 25 minutes
Median Sale Price: $1.9M
Zip Codes: 90401, 90402, 90403, 90404, 90405
5. Glendale
The peaceful suburb of Glendale is only 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles and west of Pasadena, CA. According to various studies, it is one of the ten safest cities in the country. Glendale is also notable for its plentiful attractions and outdoor activities. It is highly praised for its diverse job market and strong economy, with companies like Avery Denison, IHOP, and Nestle headquartered in town. The Disney Studios Grand Central Creative Campus is located here, as well.
Despite being the fourth-largest city in Los Angeles County, its more famous neighbors have often overshadowed Glendale. However, this hidden gem of mature neighborhoods and quiet tree-lined streets is slowly gaining attention for its diverse selection of homes and affordable prices. Glendale, CA real estate has a median sale price of $1.2M, a relative bargain compared to nearby cities like Beverly Hills or West Hollywood.
The homes for sale in Glendale span a wide range of styles and prices. From cozy California-style bungalows and Spanish Colonial-style residences on spacious lots priced between $590K and $3.1M to luxury estates with multi-million price tags. Glendale also provides homebuyers with a provision of townhouses for sale and contemporary apartments and condos, most of them located near the downtown area.
Glendale’s San Fernando Valley region location, with the Verdugo Hills in its backyard, makes it a great spot for outdoor adventures. If you love hiking, mountain biking, and uphill climbing, there will be no better place to call home. In addition, locals have 50 public parks to enjoy the temperate California weather in Glendale, ranging from Deukmejian Wilderness Park in the north to Cerritos Park in the south. And with the Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory, and the shopping complex The Americana at Brand, there’s no shortage of family-friendly experiences in Glendale. Glendale is home to the Rose Bowl stadium, which hosts various sporting events.
Attractions & Landmarks: Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory, Rose Bowl Stadium, Deukmejian Wilderness Park, Verdugo Park.
Distance from Los Angeles: 10 miles / 18 minutes
Median Sale Price: $1.2M
Zip Codes: 91201, 91202, 91203, 91204, 91205, 91206, 91207, 91208
The Best Suburbs Of Los Angeles, CA
If you are planning a move to California and are searching for suburban homes for sale in Los Angeles, you won’t be disappointed with the top-rated communities on this list. These suburbs offer a quieter lifestyle, but you’ll still be close to all the LA action. If you’re still unsure about Los Angeles, you might want to check out the best suburbs of San Jose, CA. When you’re ready, get in touch with a local eXp real estate agent to assist you in beginning your house-hunting adventure.
