TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Buying a home is a very exciting process but it can also be challenging if you or your realtor aren’t well acquainted with the surrounding area. To ensure that this process goes as smoothly as possible and also to help us pinpoint your needs, it is helpful to decide what factors are most important to you (and your family) in addition to finding the right home.
For instance, do you have school – age children who would be attending the local schools?
Are you interested in having a beautiful view from your windows or are you more concerned with your commute to downtown?
Do you want to live close by a shopping center or within a 15-minute drive to local restaurants?
Here are some of the factors that can help us differentiate which neighborhoods to introduce you to when seeking a home in your price range.
There are many lovely areas which can provide a combination of the above attributes to you. While we recognize that purchasing a home is a very personal process, we can help you hone in on what you need and want in a neighborhood and in doing so, get you into the home of your dreams!
The following list features some of our most special and desirable communities. Each meets the qualifications listed above with close proximity to excellent school systems, beautiful scenic views, short distance to shopping centers and a feeling of ‘community.’ In some, there is a sense of prestige attached to living there while in others, there is a consistency of similar homes which contributes to their holding value over time. For those and many other reasons, the following communities are considered “home” to thousands of owners in our area.
GLENDALE
The City of Glendale has seen tremendous growth over the last 30 years for several reasons: It is a convenient commute to downtown Los Angeles and is known for its safe neighborhoods, reasonable home prices, and the unique character of its homes. Today, Glendale is home to approximately 195,000 residents and is the third largest city in Los Angeles County.
Northwest Glendale
Located north of Kenneth Avenue, east of Grandview, and west of Pacific, Northwest Glendale is known for its traditional character homes built on larger – sized lots. The styles of the homes range from Spanish to English and from Traditional to a sprinkling of Contemporary homes. The average home size is 2,400 square feet on a 9,000 square foot lot.
At its center is the charming Kenneth Village, which provides a local shopping experience for residents and a feeling of community. This area is a protected historic district with many homes dating back to the 1920’s and 1930’s. This designation helps preserve the original architectural styles and makes for a truly unique place to live with homes currently priced between $800,000 and $2,900,000.
Royal Area of Rossmoyne
East and west of Royal Boulevard and north of Mountain Avenue is the neighborhood known as the “Royal Area of Rossmoyne,” which features a wide and distinctive palm tree – lined street. Ringed by the Verdugo Mountains, the scenery is dramatically stunning while nearby, Nibley Park offers a serene setting. Stroll here and you’ll see nannies and their babies, residents playing tennis, or families celebrating events.
While some of the homes in the Royal Area date back from the 1920’s to 1940’s, there is also a section of newer, hillside homes built in the 1950’s through 1980’s. One of the most desirable features to this neighborhood is the view of mountains, canyons and the city lights of Glendale. The current price range for homes here ranges from $900,000 - $1,800,000.
Oakmont Country Club Area
This community is known for the prestigious Oakmont Country Club, home to the PGA Women’s Golf Tournament. Some of Glendale’s most desirable homes are found here including Oakmont Estates, built in the 1990s around the golf course, as well as many original homes built from the 1940’s to 1970’s.
Those who live here enjoy the setting of natural beauty, proximity to the golf course, and the proximity to Montrose, a charming community to the north. Montrose features plenty of pedestrian-friendly shopping, restaurants, upscale stores, Farmers Markets, and year ‘round festivals and street fairs. It is also known for its high - quality schools and larger lot sizes. Currently, homes here are priced between $700,000 and $1,500,000.
LA CRESCENTA
Located to the north of Glendale, the unincorporated town of La Crescenta is bordered by mountains to the north and hills to the south giving it a rural, rustic feel. Due to the area’s uneven boundaries, part of La Crescenta is located in Los Angeles County, while the rest is considered Glendale.
La Crescenta is known for some of the best schools in Glendale. It also features a variety of shopping areas, restaurants, and businesses catering to a variety of tastes and cultures. It is considered a safe place for raising a family and hosts more than its share of parks and hiking trails. Prices are currently priced between $320,000 to $1,450,000.
Whiting Woods
Located just south of Honolulu Avenue and west of Montrose, Whiting Woods is a lush, forested neighborhood with scenic views of mountains, huge oaks and foliage and even natural streams. Moments away from Montrose and La Crescenta, it is conveniently close to shopping areas and the local freeways.
Style wise, most of the homes here are Mid-Century Vintage or rambling Ranch houses, although there are several, architecturally significant homes built on larger lots. Currently, the average price range for homes in Whiting Woods is between $700,000 and $1,600,000.
Pinecrest
Pinecrest is a neighborhood best known for its mid- 1960’s homes built by local builder Webster Wiley. The homes are located high in the foothills of La Crescenta and feature a range of architectural styles including: Tri-level, Ranch, Atrium and Two-Story. Its residents enjoy excellent views in all directions and a more private feel due to its rustic setting. Added safety features throughout the neighborhood include sidewalks, street lights and access to the award - winning schools in La Crescenta. The price range for homes in Pinecrest ranges from $715,000 to $1,200,000.
LA CANADA
Covering 8.5 square miles, La Canada – Flintridge offers country living at its finest. Bordered on the north by the Angeles National Forest and on the east by Pasadena, La Canada is known for its larger lot sizes - many of which are zoned as horse properties. In every direction, there are spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains while nearby, there are several private and public golf courses, an award winning botanical garden, and a premiere school system that ranks among the Top Ten in the state.
La Canada is home to 21,000 residents, many of whom moved here from other parts of Los Angeles (such as the Westside) to enjoy a quieter setting and larger lot sizes. Residents are drawn here for the open space which lends itself to gardens, tennis courts and swimming pools. Hiking trails abound for those who are so included while nearby, there are upscale shopping areas with a variety of restaurants. Homes in this area also are within a short, 15-20 minute commute of downtown L.A. although you wouldn’t know that you are that close to a major metropolitan area from the scenery here. Prices are currently ranging from $650,000 to $3,500,000 for a home here.
Meadowgrove Area
Meadowgrove sits at the eastern edge of La Canada-Flintridge, just south of Foothill Boulevard. Its main attributes include easy access to shopping areas, restaurants, and local businesses with average homes sized at 3,000 square feel and typically built on half – acre (or larger) lots. Traditional style homes prevail with most built in the 1940’s - 1950’s with modern upgrades. Currently, the price range for Meadowgrove homes is from $1,800,000 to $9,000,000.
Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens is a much - loved, 165-acre botanical garden in La Canada-Flintridge which features constantly - changing exhibits. The homes here were built around the Gardens on larger lots. Many are rambling, single - story Ranches while those located higher in the hills were built in the 1960’s - 1970’s. The Hillside homes all boast great views of the La Canada Valley and San Gabriel Mountains. The current price range for these homes ranges from $1,000,000 - $$5,000,000.
Deodar Area
The Deodar Area is named for its beautiful, pine tree forest which stretches from Fairmont Street, north of Foothill Boulevard, to Palm South and Alta Canyada. There are a variety of architectural styles found here including Spanish, Traditional, Contemporary, and Modern. Its delightfully – rustic, woodsy setting emanates a pine scent which makes you feel like you are close to nature at all times. The price range for homes is currently between $900,000 and $2,000,000.
PASADENA
Pasadena has a rich history as one of California’s original cities, so there is history everywhere you look. It is, perhaps, best known for its nationally - televised Rose Bowl Parade on New Years Day, but there are many other attributes that make this city unique. Pasadena has one of the best pedestrian – friendly areas located along Colorado Boulevard. Visitors can find plentiful, upscale shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs and a wealth of other city experiences.
Unique to this area is the combination of old and new; it is both a hip, urban environment and a historically - significant city with a bustling business district. Covering over 22.5 square miles, Pasadena is home to approximately 150,000 residents. One of its more prestigious neighborhoods is the upscale Langham area.
Ritz Carlton Area/Langham
The Ritz Carlton Hotel sits at the center of this tree – lined neighborhood, which was renamed “The Langham Area” when the hotel was sold. Here, lovingly-restored graceful estates sit on larger lots providing an incredible exterior presence dating back to the 1920’s. Currently, the price range for homes here ranges from $1,500,000 to $17,000,000.
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