6.0 out of 10

Angelino Heights

Ranked 39th best neighborhood in Los Angeles
34.0693931458718 -118.253950951194
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Resale or Rental Value
  • Public Transport
  • Lack of Traffic
Not great for
  • No ratings yet
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Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"One of the older neighborhoods in LA, but charming..."

As one of the older towns in Los Angeles, it's not surprising that you will find lots of Victorian homes here, many of which have been designated historic landmarks. If you didn't know better, you would think it's a Hollywood movie set. You almost expect to see a horse and carriage ride by as this quaint little piece of LA really feels lost in time in some neighborhoods.

Located adjacent to Echo Park and north of the 101 freeway, Angelino Heights is a very nice community that actually has some affordable housing and surprisingly, is well preserved in certain areas despite the town's age. However, if you are looking for apartments or condos, you won't find many here, and some of those are quite rundown, yet there are usually plenty of homes to rent. And while this is the place to go if you are looking to purchase a home with lots of character, keep in mind that due to its historic status, homes cannot be changed or remodeled to change the architecture.

What is attractive to many is this area is almost completely residential. You won't find chain grocery stores in the middle of Angelino Heights and commercial areas are few and far between so residents must travel outside for services, but this is part of the community's charm. For those that rely on public transportation, Metro buses make frequent stops and it's a quick two-mile ride to downtown LA that makes this an excellent area to live for those that work there.

The schools in Angelino Heights are considered good, with some being considered the best in LA. There seems to be a real commitment to education and parent volunteers are numerous.

Like most LA communities, there are areas here that need some attention and crime is not uncommon.
Pros
  • Public Transportation to Downtown
  • Old Time Charm
  • Beautiful old homes
  • Some Nice Views
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Nothing to do
  • Some Crime
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Like being in a movie..."

When you first drive through Angelino Heights, you'll feel like you're in a movie. That's partly because houses from this neighborhood have been in so many movies, it's almost a studio backlot. Not that living here is a constant barrage of being shut down for shooting, but there is something fabulous about being surrounded by places so pretty they make a location manager weep.

The neighborhood itself is very small and rather self-contained, just a few streets shaped in a horseshoe pattern with the open end abutted by the 101 freeway, facing the skyline of downtown. Most of the homes here are works of Victorian, Craftsman, and California Bungalow art, many over 100 years old now. It's pretty spectacular.

Not every home is quite as lovely as the next, and there are some run down houses and apartment buildings dotted amongst fully and lovingly restored Painted Ladies, but as a whole it feels like a spectrum of Los Angeles all bound together by just a few streets.

There's not much to do within the immediate neighborhood itself, and for shopping, dining, and entertainment, you'll probably find yourself going into Echo Park, Silver Lake, or Downtown for everything they offer, which are all just minutes away. There is a sweet park not far away, and a few little neighborhood markets for a milk run. But this neighborhood is all about the love of The Home, and the pride in the knowledge that Los Angeles actually does have a sense of style and aesthetic beauty.

Even if living here wouldn't be your cup of tea, it's well worth a drive through on a clear, pretty day, even just to pretend you're a character in "Chinatown", which of course, was partly shot in Angelino Heights.
Pros
  • Beautiful old homes
  • Some Nice Views
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Under Rated"

Touching the southeastern portion of Echo Lake, Angelino Heights is often considered a part of Echo Park which surrounds its eastern end. This is largely a low income residential neighborhood, although there are some businesses along Sunset Blvd. which forms its northeastern border. It is actually fairly surprising that this neighborhood should be a low income neighborhood given its location. Echo Lake is one of the most beautiful parts of LA, with amazing views of LA’s sky line.

This is one of those places where I have a hard time believing that the rents are as low as they are. The homes in this area are very old, most of them having been build before WWII, but they are really gorgeous. Just off the lake, are built Mission style homes along a steeply rising hill, no doubt offering great views of the city and surrounding landscape. You get some of that great architecture here with lots of stone used, large bricked retaining walls and long cement stairs climbing straight up to the front of homes and then an attractive stairwell folding up to the high seated front porch, or first floor garages with windows posted above them. And lots of balconies and terraces to take advantage of the views, giving the whole place a rather Mediterranean feel for me.

Much of the rest of the neighborhood is on much gentler slopes, and is made up those Craftsman bungalows with the thick columned terraces with little sets of steps and big, heavy looking roofs that make you feel as if you slipping into a bunker for the night.

The streets curve around in this area, for no apparent reason other than they decided concentric circles might be a good way of organizing the neighborhood. Most homes have some kind of an interesting front lawn garden, often with interesting patterns to their greenery. The sidewalks through out are lined with shade giving trees that add to the beauty and walkability of the neighborhood.

With Echo Park as the surrounding area and Wilshire Blvd. not too far, Angelino Heights residents will certainly not be at a loss for things to do and see. But residents need not leave the neighborhood (not more than across the street anyway). On Sunset, they will find a number of places to eat, from Barragans and El Compadre for Mexican, to Patra’s Burgers. My suggestion would be The Park for lunch—steak or salmon, either one is tasty.

Night life is equally strong with Club Bahia, The Short Stop and Little Joy right on sunset as well.

All in all, this is great, inexpensive neighborhood where you can live if you are young and not yet attached. You are close to all the action and the low rents will make it easy to go out and enjoy yourself.
Pros
  • Some Nice Views
  • Affordable
  • Beautiful old homes
Cons
  • Some Crime
  • Old Home Problems
  • Terrible Nearby Schools
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5
2yrs+

"Piece of History Hopefully to Make a Comeback"

LA is known for it's hip areas, restaurants, and high-end living. It is a place to spot trends, or even start new ones. What we tend to forget about is the historical aspects of LA, and Angelino Heights brings you back to the old historical roots of LA.

Built in the late 1800s, this area is laden with historical homes. Many of the homes in the area are of that classic, Victorian architecture and design. This area has remained very untouched and undone for years but local attention has begun to be paid due to the age of this area. It is receiving some TLC since it is a historical area of LA now, so the place is sprucing up. The beautiful homes still offer some peace and beauty to this town, it just needs more things to do, continuing maintenance, and of course...more residents!

While there is not much to offer as of now, I think as more attention is drawn to this area by locals and the artsy and eclectic crowd, we will eventually have a beautiful and quaint area here in Angelino Heights.
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
2yrs+

"One of Los Angeles' only historic neighborhoods"

Angelino Heights came about in the 1880's. It was one of the first "cities" in Los Angeles and it's where a lot of the wealthy people built houses at the end of the 19th century. The older houses in the neighborhood are a mix between the opulent Victorian style that was popular during that time and the California craftsman bungalows that were built about 30 years later. The neighborhood has become very run down; but, thanks to its recognition as a historic zone, it is starting to turn around. It doesn't hurt that the neighboring, Echo Park is starting to out-trendy itself and push the hipsters back into this part of town. Within five years, I'll bet that this neighborhood is booming again. Sadly, it hasn't been that way in almost 100 years.
Carroll Avenue and the surrounding streets are just beautiful. The houses are all Victorian mansions, the streets are wide and tree-lined and the view from the hill is spectacular. Once these houses get completely refurbished, this neighborhood is going to be one of the most beautiful in Los Angeles.
I went through an open house in a place that was built for two spinster sisters in the 1890's. It is an odd house because it's split down the middle by a line in the staircase and both wings are carbon copies of each other. Apparently, this was so that the sisters would be under one roof but could live separately. It's not really functional seeing as there amenities like two small kitchens and matching claw foot tubs in the master bedroom window ledges. But, it definitely makes up for all of that in grandeur and creepiness. There is a house I would not want to be in after dark.
There isn't much of a neighborhood to Angelino Heights, yet, but the original makeup of the streets and houses is so beautiful that the state of this place won't last long.
Pros
  • Beautiful old homes
Cons
  • Dangerous
  • Nothing to do

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Best Streets in Angelino Heights

1

Carroll Ave

4.5/5
"Carrol Avenue Homes"
34.0696950092414 -118.255038990184

Unranked Streets in Angelino Heights

Laguna Ave

2.5/5
"Laguna Ave. is historic and convenient but has some drawbacks..."
34.0747551460383 -118.257800063417

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