The 6 Best Los Angeles Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025

It is no secret that California is among the most expensive states to live in. Luckily, Los Angeles is one of the nation's safest urban centers. The City of Angels covers over 500 square miles. Between its hills, bright architectural landscapes, and DTLA, 234 self-designated neighborhoods make Los Angeles as diverse a city as they come. Each has something defining, boastworthy, and yes, even off-putting; they were not created to be equal. Skid Row is world famous, while Boyle Heights, though affordable, treads onto the unsafe side.

Often, prices scare off potential buyers, particularly figures for listed median homes. According to Redfin, the median house sale price in LA is over 1 million. In reality, homes start as low as $400,000 for a one-bedroom, and it is possible to score a charming four-bedroom house for $700,000 in prolific neighborhoods like Glassell Park and Highland Park. Beautiful, trendy, and calm, these neighborhoods have character and suit various lifestyles for a diverse group of people—you may see yourself living in one of these six.

Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw

This tight-knit community, with former residents like Tina Turner, Ice Cube, and architect Paul Williams, hosted the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Baldwin Hills is a mix of grand mansions and modest bungalows, steps away from a grand view over the LA area. While the median home sales price is around $1 million, there are homes for sale as low as $400,000 for a one bedroom. Best known for Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, Kenneth Hahn Viewpoint offers a sweeping panorama of West LA and the Santa Monica Mountains. There are miles of bucolic hiking trails, Gwen Moore Lake, stocked with catfish and trout, and a serene Japanese-style garden.

Crenshaw stands out with an attractive main drag, Crenshaw Boulevard, and sprawling, tree-lined residential areas. It is a diverse neighborhood, not hyper-modern nor overcommercialized. The earth-tone vinyl apartment blocks are an LA staple and add to the 60s vibe. The original Googie artifacts (think boomerangs, flying saucers, parabolas, and free-form) perk up the commercial blocks. Meanwhile, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw is a reputable, enduring shopping mall, with a new addition, Post & Beam. Just west of central LA, it is about a 20-minute drive to LAX, while the new Metro K line connects to Westchester-Veterans, which is about 10 minutes from LAX.

Glassell Park

Peeking over the city from the San Rafael Hills, Glassell Park offers equal serenity and convenience. Just northeast of DTLA, Glassell Park is ideal for couples or families, with many homes available for around $700,000 for a three-bedroom house, drawing buyers with good highway access and affordability next to upscale neighborhoods. Fashionable in its own way, this hilly neighborhood is defined by twisting roads with single-family homes and sweet bungalows under mature trees. There are also some high-rises along the main thoroughfares.

This East LA up-and-comer blends classic SoCal lifestyle with a historic character and a casual downtown. A range of world cuisine and some nightlife await after work, including the popular Lemon Poppy Kitchen and top-rated Verdugo bar with a variety of craft beer, live music, and an outdoor patio. The locals eagerly escape to Glassell Park Pool on a hot day. Families enjoy access to the private St. Bernard Catholic School (K-8) and the K-12 Renaissance Arts Academy.

Highland Park

Located northeast of DTLA, Highland Park remains one of LA's more affordable areas with killer views. Several parks, including Sycamore Grove Park and Hermon Park/Arroyo Seco Park, make it easy to stay active or hang out with friends in the fresh air. It is also incredibly safe, with a close-knit feel and housing that consists mostly of modest homes and apartments. Preserved local institutions add character, lining the main thoroughfare, North Figueroa, still partly old-fashioned.

Bordered by Eagle Rock, South Pasadena, Montecito Heights, and Mount Washington, Highland Park offers a casual and intellectual/artsy vibe that draws childless couples, families, professionals, and singles. Families enjoy a top-rated K-6 private school, plus the public Garvanza Elementary School and a middle school. Nearly perfect all around, housing prices start at $300,000 for a studio/one-bedroom, and there are also plenty of three and four-bedroom homes for sale in the $700,000 range.

Montecito Heights

Montecito Heights affords a spectacular panorama on a steep hill between LA and the San Gabriel Valley. In addition to some 1/3 park coverage for easy nature access, the bounding highway northwest keeps the traffic flowing smoothly along. The tree-lined Hermon Park (Arroyo Seco Park) offers courts, a play area, and grills. Audubon Center at Debs Park is a daytime hiking area right off 110, while the 300-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park features picnic tables, barbecue pits, miles of trails, and open space with great views of the downtown skyline. For those looking to buy, there are two-bedroom homes for sale starting around $500,000 and three-bedroom homes in the $700,000 range.

Montecito Heights historically attracted artists and intellectuals. This quiet residential neighborhood suits retirees who seek serenity, couples without kids, remote workers, nature lovers, singles, and creatives. Despite a lack of shops and restaurants, its diverse architectural landscape encompasses several stunning Craftsman-style homes, Tudor- and Spanish-style homes, plus cottages and bungalows. Families enjoy an easy walk to the top-rated Los Angeles Leadership Primary Academy, which is private, or the public Glen Alta Elementary School.

Mount Washington

Mount Washington is one of the most affordable and safe neighborhoods just north of DTLA. Attracting professionals, childless couples, and families, it is a gentrified mix of locals, including those who recently escaped the high cost of living in Los Feliz and Silver Lake. The newcomers feel at ease and welcome in a place that caters to diverse needs and living situations. Despite a lack of cultural and casual pastimes like shopping and dates, which locals find just outside, there are still shops for all their basics.

Mount Washington's main advantages are in nature, with plentiful fitness options, and on a clear day, the hills offer views of the Pacific Ocean. The local houses vary from Victorian mansions to California-style bungalows and mid-century modernist homes. Home prices start around $700,000, with instant access to the heart of LA.

West Adams

West Adams is a quieter and more affordable alternative to DTLA. This historical residential neighborhood in South LA draws students with proximity to the University of Southern California and Los Angeles Trade Technical College. It is easy to find a home or a comfortable apartment in several distinct areas like Pico-Union, Adams-Normandie, and University Park, with access to services, retail, restaurants, and entertainment. Commuters benefit from extreme proximity to downtown, plus the Metro E line to the west side. Between Hwys 10 and 101, it is about 10 minutes to DTLA by car or 20 minutes by bus.

West Adams is a storied architectural neverland of Georgian Revival, Victorian, Queen Anne, and 1920s Craftsman houses, including the Walker House and Guasti Villa. Mostly comprised of single-family homes, newer, taller apartments line arterial streets like Normandie Avenue, and Redfin's noted median sale price of $909,000 is still cheaper than LA's. Minutes away by bus, Exposition Park features a Natural History Museum, California Science Center, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and LA Memorial Coliseum, many of which offer locals free admission.

When looking for a new home, the key focus after price and safety should be easy access to work and a desirable lifestyle, such as where to take a walk or go out. Although hotspots are often located on the outskirts of an urban center, these six prolific neighborhoods show that one need not seek outside of LA into the Greater Area or sift through towns to find affordable, safe places for a happy home.

Neighborhood dynamics shift, like in Highland Park and Mount Washington. Living in a "hills" or a "heights" neighborhood means killer views are at the doorstep. Montecito Heights offers three huge parks that largely cover this hilltop neighborhood between LA and the San Gabriel Valley. For those seeking affordable luxury, these six charming neighborhoods are definitely winners in 2025.