Angelino Heights

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.

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.

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.