Quantifying the characteristics of Los Angeles’ urban neighborhoods

Getting a sense of urban LA through 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 Los Angeles neighborhoods for families as well as the city’s average. We analyzed the locations by the following family-friendly scores:

• Quiet: Level of noise nearby
• Pedestrian-friendly: Represents how many stores and institutions are nearby and how pleasant it is to walk to them
• Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
• Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
• Elementary Schools: Distance to closest elementary school
• High Schools: Distance to closest high school

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

Ranking the best neighborhoods for families in Los Angeles

Here’s our data-informed list of the top five most family-friendly neighborhoods in urban LA:

1. Beverlywood

If you and your family want to live near Beverly Hills, the adjacent Beverlywood might be a great choice for your next move. This quiet and tight-knit community has a strong homeowners’ association that strives to fight off major development. There are several private parks in the neighborhood, and a limited number of restaurants and businesses.

Although there are only a few, the favorites are Undergrind Café and The Empanada Factory. There are several schools in the neighborhood, including Canfield Avenue Elementary School, Palms Middle School, and Alexander Hamilton High School.

2. Los Feliz

Nothing says “family-friendly” more than being the birthplace of Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney was living in his aunt and uncle’s garage in Los Feliz when he first drew the iconic cartoon character. As well, Disneyland in California was modeled after a 1920s version of the neighborhood.

Today, the area is best known for its trendy local boutiques and panoramic hike views at Bee Rock in Griffith Park. The latter offers a variety of other activities for the family, including horseback riding, soccer, golf, tennis, and camping. Most of the homes are a mix between bungalows, apartment buildings, and larger historic homes. During the week, you can send your children to Los Feliz Elementary School or John Marshall High School.

3. Echo Park

Echo Park is a culturally diverse neighborhood in east-central LA. There are a ton of cool local businesses, and it’s a popular neighborhood among creatives. It’s no surprise because the neighborhood was at the center of film on the West Coast before Hollywood.

Aside from the rich history, also highlighted at the Heritage Square Museum, another perk of the neighborhood is its close proximity to Dodger Stadium; baseball fun for the whole family. Right by the stadium in Elysian Park, you’ll find the Chavez Ravine Arboretum. On Echo Park Lake, you and your family can enjoy afternoon paddle-boating sessions.

4. Cheviot Hills

The Cheviot Hills neighborhood is a film buff’s dream. Many movies have been made here due to its convenient location between Sony Studios and Fox Studios. Many residents are also actors, recording artists, television execs, and studio executives. It’s not a surprise that Cheviot Hills is considered an affluent neighborhood and that most of the schools are private learning institutions.

When it comes to green space and outdoor activities, most residents spend time at Cheviot Hills Park and Recreation Center and Rancho Park Golf Course. If you’re looking for more of a laid-back and diverse neighborhood to raise your family in, this may not be the best fit.

5. Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock prides itself on being a hip, electric neighborhood just a stone’s throw from Downtown Los Angeles. It’s home to Occidental College, a pretty significant Filipino-American population, and many counter-culture writers, artists, and filmmakers.

There are many parks and recreation options for families, including Eagle Rock Hillside Park and Richard Alatorre Park. The children of Eagle Rock are zoned to District 4, which includes schools like Dahlia Heights Elementary School and Renaissance Arts Academy.

Eagle Rock prides itself on being a hip, electric neighborhood just a stone’s throw from Downtown Los Angeles. It’s home to Occidental College, a pretty significant Filipino-American population, and many counter-culture writers, artists, and filmmakers. There are many parks and recreation options for families, including Eagle Rock Hillside Park and Richard Alatorre Park. The children of Eagle Rock are zoned to District 4, which includes schools like Dahlia Heights Elementary School and Renaissance Arts Academy.

Finding the right neighborhood in Los Angeles for your family

The neighborhood of Greater Los Angeles offers a lot of options for families and their desired lifestyles. If you want to expose your children to the arts, a variety of outdoor activities, or connections in the film industry, one of our chosen best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for families might just do the trick.

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 and your family.