The 5 best neighborhoods for retirees in Los Angeles

Thao Tram Ngo

13 Dec 2023

bus on road near building in Los Angeles at daytime in a sunny business district

We used our proprietary Location Scores to rank the neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California based on the following characteristics that matter to retirees: Pedestrian-friendly, Transit-friendly, Parks, Groceries, and Quiet.

Here’s our list of the best neighborhoods for retirees in Los Angeles:

  1. Westlake
  2. Los Feliz
  3. Hancock Park
  4. Westwood
  5. Cheviot Hills

Quantifying the characteristics of the best areas to live in Los Angeles for retirees

Getting a sense of place in Los Angeles through location data

Local Logic builds location intelligence solutions to help home seekers and investors find opportunities that are most suited to their preferences and requirements. We draw upon thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores to provide street- and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure amenities close by and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can find properties based on specific characteristics, such as proximity to schools or quiet neighborhoods, and make more informed decisions on where to live.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Los Angeles’ average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for the best neighborhoods for retirees in Los Angeles, as well as the city’s average. We looked at the following scores:

  • Pedestrian-friendly: Represents how many stores and institutions are nearby and how pleasant it is to walk to them
  • Transit-friendly: Represents the frequency and level of service of public transit
  • Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
  • Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
  • Quiet: Level of noise nearby

Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

Here are the average scores for Los Angeles:

  • Pedestrian-friendly: 7.2 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance
  • Transit-friendly5.2 — Transit is available for most trips
  • Parks: 7.2 — Large amount of park space nearby
  • Groceries: 7.4 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk
  • Quiet: 5.4 — Some sources of noise nearby

👩‍🦳👨‍🦳 Composite score for retirees: 6.5

Ranking the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for retirees

Here’s our data-informed list of Los Angeles’ top neighborhoods for retirees:

1. Westlake

Map of Westlake in Los Angeles, California

  • Pedestrian-friendly: 9.7 — All day-to-day needs are within a few minutes’ walk
  • Transit-friendly9.1 — Near rapid transit and frequent bus lines
  • Parks: 7.1 — Large amount of park space nearby
  • Groceries: 9.7 — Several grocery stores nearby
  • Quiet: 4.4 — Multiple sources of noise nearby

👩‍🦳👨‍🦳 Composite score for retirees8.0

The Westlake neighborhood is a densely populated area undergoing a number of updates and transformations. The center point of the area is historic MacArthur Park, which has a lake and is a popular outdoor concert venue. Theater also has deep roots in the neighborhood, with The Hayworth Theater open for live acts and the Westlake Theater sign still hanging.

The food scene is mostly made up of relaxed Latin eateries like El Taurino, and the neighborhood is just a stone’s throw away from historic Filipinotown, Downtown Los Angeles, and the Crypto.com arena, where your grandchild’s favorite team likely plays.

2. Los Feliz

Map of Loz Feliz in Los Angeles, California

  • Pedestrian-friendly: 8.0 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance
  • Transit-friendly5.3 — Transit is available for most trips
  • Parks9.0 — Very large amount of park space within a few minutes’ walk
  • Groceries7.6 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk
  • Quiet: 7.3 — Few sources of noise nearby

👩‍🦳👨‍🦳 Composite score for retirees7.4

Los Feliz is a relaxed neighborhood that sits on a hillside that appeals to creatives of all ages and stages. The area boasts a lot of bars with historic flair, cool stores with unique finds, and cafés. Mirate is one of the many Mexican spots, and Little Dom’s is a haven for Italian food.

There are a few historic landmarks like the Tarantino-owned Vista Theater, a movie palace that dates back to 1923. You’ll also find the Griffith Observatory on the neighborhood’s border, and the La Luz de Jesus commercial art gallery.

3. Hancock Park

Map of Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California

  • Pedestrian-friendly: 8.8 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance
  • Transit-friendly: 6.0 — Transit is available for most trips
  • Parks5.9 — Moderate amount of park space nearby
  • Groceries8.2 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk
  • Quiet: 5.7 — Some sources of noise nearby

👩‍🦳👨‍🦳 Composite score for retirees6.9

The residential enclave of Hancock Park dates back to the 1920s. It’s a dream neighborhood for any architecture enthusiast, as it’s made up of well-preserved mansions built in all sorts of styles including Tudor and Italian Revival. The neighborhood is built around the Wilshire Country Club, and features a small shopping and dining strip which includes Apollonia’s Pizzeria.

4. Westwood

Map of Westwood in Los Angeles, California

  • Pedestrian-friendly: 8.6 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance
  • Transit-friendly5.5 — Transit is available for most trips
  • Parks6.6 — Moderate amount of park space nearby
  • Groceries7.1 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk
  • Quiet: 6.0 — Some sources of noise nearby

👩‍🦳👨‍🦳 Composite score for retirees6.8

The Westwood neighborhood is a bustling spot and home to the UCLA campus. It’s also home to the very walkable Westwood Village. If you want to immerse in cultural experiences, or share them with your grandkids, pop into the Hammer Museum, the Fowler Museum, the Geffen Playhouse, or the Fox Theater. Then top off your outing with a visit to Barney’s Beanery for American comfort food, or Toranj for Persian eats.

5. Cheviot Hills

Map of Cheviot Hills in Los Angeles, California

  • Pedestrian-friendly: 7.7 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance
  • Transit-friendly5.0 — Transit is available for most trips
  • Parks: 7.6 — Large amount of park space nearby
  • Groceries6.2 — At least one grocery store within a 15-minute walk
  • Quiet: 6.7 — Some sources of noise nearby

👩‍🦳👨‍🦳 Composite score for retirees: 6.6

Cheviot Hills is said to be a neighborhood of “quiet affluence,” nestled on the west side of Los Angeles. Dating back to 1924, the area is best known for its importance in the film industry. To this day, it serves as a popular filming location for television and movies because of its location between Sony Studios and Fox Studios.

Not too far away, you’ll find Universal Studios as well, meaning fun for the whole family. If you or the next generation of your family is into film, then this neighborhood should be a top contender for retirement.

Finding the right neighborhood in Los Angeles for your retirement

If you care to spend your days as a retiree basking in the sunshine, immersing yourself in visual arts, and eating diverse cuisine from any place you can think of, then our list of best places in Los Angeles for retirees is one to consider.

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partner sites and their real estate listings in Los Angeles. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you.

Curious about how other neighborhoods (or cities!) might fare?
Try the Insights Atlas to get in-depth location insights on any neighborhood, city, or address in the US and Canada.