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Homes For Sale In Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is a fantastic place to relocate for those looking to plant roots on the West Coast. The sprawling metropolis is America's second-largest city with hundreds of diverse neighborhoods offering endless possibilities to entrepreneurs, artists, young professionals, and families eager to thrive in a big, multicultural environment. Los Angeles real estate is an outdoor wonderland, a film mecca, and a hub for everything art and entertainment. It is well known that housing and living costs aren't cheap in La La Land, but with all the perks you get once you find your dream piece of California real estate, it will be worth it!
Los Angeles CA Real Estate Market
The Los Angeles housing market continues to be among the hottest in California and has seen property prices grow steadily for years now. The homes for sale in Los Angeles have a median property listing price of over $945K. Buyers can purchase single-family homes for sale in Los Angeles at a median price of $781K, while the median condo price in the city reaches $627K. The standard housing options in the city are one and two-bedroom apartment complexes, single-family detached homes, townhouses, condos, and duplexes.
The high prices in Los Angeles houses are a trend that extrapolates to other California cities. It has been driven by a combination of historically low mortgage rates, stiff competition, and low inventory. To sum it up, Los Angeles is a prolific and robust seller's market, so it’s in your best interest to have an experienced real estate agent to help you in your buying process.
Though the record-high prices in houses for sale in Los Angeles aren't forecasted to recede any time soon, there are many advantages if you can afford to be a homeowner in the City of Angels. Homes for sale in Los Angeles have plenty of added values, including ample square footage, great weather year-round, good availability of high-quality schools, proximity to beaches and parks, and access to world-class attractions and entertainment.
Additionally, buying houses or condos for sale in Los Angeles is a good deal. Los Angeles has a history of being an excellent long-term investment due to high price appreciation. This means you are guaranteed to easily get your money back or even make a profit if you decide to sell your property at some point.
More About Los Angeles CA Real Estate
Los Angeles occupies second place in the top 10 luxury markets after Manhattan and is 87% urban. That means most of the population lives in areas with a density of over 2,213 households per square mile. However, Los Angeles is a genuinely eclectic place encompassing over half a dozen regions sprinkled with hundreds of cities, neighborhoods, and districts that feel and look distinctly different. Some areas are great for college students, and others are exceptional for growing families. Here is a brief breakdown of what Los Angeles neighborhoods you may look at based on your wants:
Neighborhoods for those City Dwellers
Let’s say you’re looking to move from your small hometown in the Midwest to the big city! You want easy access to all the trendy cafes, shops, public transportation, and nightlife that L.A. has to offer and don’t need a ton of square footage. Here are the neighborhoods you should search for homes in:
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Bunker Hill
- Historic Core
- The Financial District
- Koreatown
Neighborhoods for Suburban Seekers
If you’ve lived in Downtown L.A. or another urban hub for a while now, and are looking for somewhere a little quieter, you’ll want to look outside of the city. Let’s say you still want a quick commute to downtown, but would prefer to be surrounded by parks and greenery rather than skyscrapers and office towers. These are the top neighborhoods Sally would do well to look through:
- Beverly Hills
- Brentwood
- Glendale
- West Hollywood
- Manhattan Beach
- Inglewood
- Culver City
- Echo Park
- Los Feliz
Neighborhoods for Growing Families
What if you are starting or growing your family and need to upgrade to a neighborhood that offers activities for kids? There are several Los Angeles neighborhoods that offer more yard space, square footage, and access to parks and greenspace. These neighborhoods boast a low crime rate and excellent schools; perfect for families:
- Sherman Oaks
- Cheviot Hills
- Montecito
- Eagle Rock
- Woodland Hills
Los Angeles CA Schools
Schools in Los Angeles are administered by the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest K-12 district in the nation, offering instruction from Kindergarten to high school in over 900 schools and 249 public charter schools. Additional public education alternatives include magnet and international schools, adult education institutions, and a robust special education program. Private schools are considered to be of great quality in Los Angeles and are funded by tuition. Here are some of the best high schools in town:
- Harvard-Westlake School: Harvard-Westlake ranked the best private high school in Los Angeles, and it’s one of the five U.S. schools members of G30 Schools.
- Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES): This highly-rated public magnet college prep school is a top choice for parents with children in grades 6-12. The school has seen many celebrities walking its corridors, including Leonardo Dicaprio, Patricia Arquette, and Mila Kunis.
Los Angeles is a premier and reputable center for higher education in America. Students planning on living and studying in town have many top-rated academic institutions to choose from, including world-famous colleges and universities such as:
- University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
- California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
- University of Southern California (USC).
Being one of the best cities for aspiring artists in the U.S., Los Angeles houses institutes, academies, and schools offering instruction in performing arts, film and television production, fine arts, and other disciplines, including:
- Art Center College of Design
- California Institute of the Arts
- Stella Adler Academy of Acting & Theatre
- The Los Angeles Film School
Overall, the experience of studying in Los Angeles is enriching due to the city’s cultural diversity and lively urban environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Real Estate
What is the zip code for Los Angeles, California?
The Los Angeles Metropolitan Area has 378 zip codes. These are some popular ones:
Hermosa Beach | 90254
Lincoln Heights | Montecito Heights | Elysian Valley | 90031
City Terrace | East L.A. | 90063
Marina del Rey | 90292
Manhattan Beach | 90266
Playa del Rey | 90293
Toluca Lake | Studio City | 91602
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Los Angeles, California?
The Los Angeles International Airport, frequently referred to as LAX, is located 18 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.
What county is Los Angeles in?
The city of Los Angeles is part of the County of Los Angeles.
Can I have horses in Los Angeles, California?
The city of Los Angeles allows its residents to own horses exclusively in agricultural and residential zones. It should be at least a 17,500 square foot property; that’s close to half an acre. On lots this size, owners can have a horse per 4,000 square feet. Horse owners in Los Angeles must have a license from the Department of Animal Regulations that costs $14 per year per horse.
When do Schools in Los Angeles start this year?
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) public schools began instruction on August 15th, 2022.
Things To Do In Los Angeles CA
Once you relocate to a Los Angeles home, you learn how hard it is to justify staying at home simply because there’s always something happening out there. From world-class museums to breathtaking beaches, mountains, and parks, no one lacks adventures in La La Land. These are some of our favorite things to do and see in town:
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA): The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest in the western U.S. and houses over 100,000 objects, including Islamic, Asian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art collections. Its exhibition rooms are sprawled among five buildings harboring masterpieces from Rembrandt, Picasso, Warhol, Magritte, Degas, Braque, Miró, Matisse, and many more. LACMA also features modern indoor and outdoor installations and sculptures, including the iconic Urban Light.
- Santa Monica Pier & Beach: Located west of downtown LA, right on Santa Monica State Beach, is the iconic Santa Monica Pier, one of the best places in town to catch a striking sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The staple waterfront spot was built in 1909, and it’s packed with shops, restaurants, open-air music venues, and family-friendly activities. If you visit, go to Pacific Park, Playland Arcade, and Trapeze School New York. The Looff Hippodrome, with its charming carousel, is another favorite, as are the Heal The Bay Aquarium, and the iconic Ferris Wheel.
- The Last Bookstore: LA’s bibliophiles love book hunting and perusing around in this celebrated 22,000 square foot bookstore that specializes in used and vintage books. The Last Bookstore is a shelf maze with sections of books arranged by color and others purposely disordered to encourage treasure hunting among book buyers. They are also known for their unique book sculptures, created from damaged copies. If you are a bookworm, you’d probably be frequently visiting.
- La Brea Tar Pits And Museum: La Brea Tar Pits And Museum has the most extensive collection of Ice Age fossils known worldwide, and that makes this classic a must-visit spot for science buffs of all ages. The surrounding area where the museum is located was a hot tar pit 40,000 years ago, making possible the discovery of over three million fossils from around 600 different species and various artifacts. Besides the pit installations on the outside, the museum offers visitors a fishbowl-style fossil lab, a live excavation site, several sculptures of prehistoric species, and the display of creature's bones, including mammoth, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats.
- The Getty Center: Another highlight in Los Angeles, the Getty Center, has been inspiring art enthusiasts globally since 1997. Located in Brentwood, the museum showcases the visual art and cultural heritage of L.A. and the world. Here, visitors can see works of world-famous painters such as Van Gogh and Cézanne, drawings, manuscripts, decorative arts, and photographs by a diversity of creators. Strolling the museum outdoors to discover its installations, sculptures, terraces, pavilions, and gardens is a must-do.
- Griffith Observatory: It is no secret that Los Angeles homes are an expensive city, but visiting The Griffith Observatory is free! The astronomy museum and planetarium are on a hill overlooking the town at Griffith Park, offering visitors a gateway to the stars. This is a great place to see scientific displays and space-related exhibits, including several telescopes of different ages and sizes, a Foucault pendulum, the Tesla coil, models of the Solar System, an asteroid impact simulator, and much more.
- Grand Central Market: Loved by locals and tourists alike, Grand Central Market is not only a market to grab fresh produce, but a diverse foodie destination worth exploring. The place has been around since 1917 and features food vendor stalls offering a wide variety of products. Its high ceilings, neon signs, and open layout add a classic touch to the market's lively ambiance. Since the spot is pretty popular and the food is delicious and cheaper than in other places, be ready to wait in line at any given time.
- Angeles National Forest: Escape from Los Angeles congested traffic lines and submerge yourself in nature serenity at Angeles National Park. This near 700,000-acre forest is an excellent spot for hiking, offering around 50 different trails for hikers of all skill levels and styles. Visitors can also bike, camp, and do some wildlife viewing. Those seeking an extra dose of adrenaline can bungee jumping off the Bridge to Nowhere.
- Rose Bowl Flea Market: The Rose Bowl Flea Market takes place the second Sunday of every month, with stalls from over 2,500 vendors offering an array of crafts, apparel, antiques, and rare vintage finds. The flea market is known as the "Flea Market of the Stars" due to the celebrities and well-known designers that often stroll around looking for bargains. If you need a pause from all the shopping action, they have concession stands offering food and drinks.
- Philippe The Original: At Phillippe's, you can dig into one of L.A.'s most famous and drool-worthy culinary staples: the French dip sandwich. The renowned family restaurant claims to be the place of invention of the famous sub. It offers hungry visitors six different varieties, including beef dip, lamb dip, and pastrami dip. Philippe The Original was established in 1908, and it's considered one of the oldest restaurants in Southern California.
Living In Los Angeles, California
Moving to Los Angeles is an exciting journey but can be an overwhelming one as well. Before you pack and head west, knowing what to expect from a buzzing, big city such as Los Angeles is essential. Here are some good reasons to seriously consider calling L.A. your home:
- Los Angeles is home to 3.9 million people and is one of the most diverse cities with over 140 different nationalities and more than 100 spoken languages within its borders.
- As in New York, in Los Angeles you can explore the world without boarding a plane. Just stroll through some of the city’s cultural neighborhoods! Explore Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, El Pueblo de Los Ángeles, Little Armenia, Thai Town, Historic Filipinotown, and Little Ethiopia.
- Los Angeles' weather forecast is mostly filled with clear skies, sunshine, and pleasant temperatures due to the city’s prime location between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the mountains to the east.
- Los Angeles is known to be “The Entertainment Capital of the World” and has world-renowned landmarks and fantastic attractions, including museums, theaters, amusement parks, and art galleries. There are also really cool off-the-beaten-path tours, and famous festivals, concerts, things to do, and events taking place there at any given time!
- Los Angeles is a sports fanatic playground! The city houses 11 major league professional sports teams, five of which have been recently ranked among the 50 most valuable sports franchises globally.
- From its two-star Michelin restaurants to a blossoming food-truck culture, Los Angeles is one of the best places in the world to live if you love food.
- Being so vast, Los Angeles doesn't lack outdoor activities. You can hit El Matador Beach for swimming or surfing, go hiking in Griffith Park, have a snorkeling trip to Carolina Island, jet skiing along the Santa Monica shoreline, or practice paddle boarding in Marina del Rey.
Los Angeles, CA Local Tips
Whether you are moving to Los Angeles from the other side of the country or across the state, you may need a little help settling, especially considering how massive and diverse Los Angeles is. In this section, you'll find some valuable tips:
- Feel free to bring your furry friend with you! Los Angeles is highly dog-friendly, meaning your four-legged pal will be welcome almost everywhere, from restaurants to hotels and malls. There are also several dog parks and dog beaches to hit with your pet.
- Own a car. The city of Los Angeles is very spread out. Even though there are many public transportation alternatives, including shuttles, subways, light-rail, and bus systems, they are not highly reliable or exhaustive in covering the entirety of the city. You’ll definitely need a car if you buy a house in an outer suburb such as Beverly Hills or Highland Park.
- Make sure to download Waze or your driving App of choice to navigate L.A.'s epic traffic jams. Los Angeles is the fifth most congested city in the country, and anything far from 5 miles can easily make a 30-minute commute both ways.
- Live near where you work and play, and close to schools if you have a family. Traffic in Los Angeles is no joke, and public transportation may not be able to take you everywhere, especially outside the urban areas of L.A.
- Consider the time of the year before buying houses for sale in Los Angeles. Autumn and winter are the best times due to less buyer competition in the Los Angeles real estate market.
- Have realistic expectations. Los Angeles has been portrayed in so many films, series, and programs that it is easy to have cliché ideas and misconceptions about living in the city. Do your research and, if you can, visit before relocating. Ultimately, time and experience will tell if you make the right choice.
Los Angeles CA Jobs
Los Angeles unemployment rates are decreasing, and the job market is steadily dynamizing in sectors like professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, finances, and scientific and technical services. Overall, the city has a stable and diversified economy that has historically relied on tourism, trade, and, of course, entertainment. Professional management services, high-tech manufacturing, health services, and research are also top industries in Los Angeles. Some of Los Angeles’ major employers include Kaiser Permanente, the University of Southern California, Northrop Grumman, Bank Of America, and the government.
Additionally, Los Angeles has a booming start-up scene and a flourishing tech community known as Silicon Beach, spanning from Santa Monica to Venice, in the westside of L.A. Silicon Beach houses some of the best companies out there right now, such as Headspace, Hulu, The Aerospace Corporation, ChowNow, Google, Snap Inc., PatientPop, Postmates, System1, and Wpromote.