Brentwood

For a long time this upscale neighborhood has been best known for the O.J. Simpson trial (this being the site of the major events in the trial). There is, of course, much more to Brentwood than this classification. Brentwood is one of the preferred areas for people to live in the LA areas. Brentwood has a commercial area with tall office towers where it borders Westwood, but the choice areas are scattered along the hills, where you get the larger gated communities and occasional mansions. The sea breezes tend to make Brentwood a bit cooler than the inland cities. Property prices rise along with the altitude so that you can find moderately priced apartments in the areas bordering Westwood along Wilshire (some UCLA students live in the area), but as you climb into the hills it is not unusually to find homes with rents in the thousands of dollars.

University High School is the main public school for Brentwood teens, but most Brentwood residents prefer to send their kids to one of the many private schools in the area such as the toni Archer School for Girls (where the student teacher ratio is 7:1) or Milken Com. High school (where the ratio is 8:1).

There is a vibrant shopping district along Wilshire Boulevard and with all the green spaces, you get your fair share of golf courses as well.

The crime rate is, as you would expect for such a neighborhood, very low, with most of the crimes taking place in the commercial areas near Wilshire—the main artery coursing through Brentwood.

When researching Brentwood, be sure not to confuse Brentwood in LA with Brentwood in San Francisco.
This area is beautiful, absolutely beautiful! While much of LA is geared toward a younger crowd, this is one area that really caters toward the family. Amazing school systems(public, private, and charter), family-geared restaurants, grocery stores, retail. Nature trails, hiking trails, and parks- for dogs and family too! It's also a very short distance to the beach.
If I had to pick any 'con' for this area, it's just that it's one of the most expensive areas in Los Angeles and also more family friendly than anything. I wouldn't recommend having a college student or single living in the area as Brentwood was really developed with the family in mind. Not much of a nightlife, and not too many 'hip' locations- just a clean, reputable family-fun area.

Brentwood is a beautiful neighborhood. It has sprawling spanish houses with lush yards, the streets are wide and the cars on them are expensive. It really is one of the lovelier places in LA. The houses are incredible. It also has a legacy of movie stars living in the neighborhood. Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe . . . .the Garner -Afflecks. The houses kind of lend themselves to glamourous and wealthy inhabitants. But, it's the place is pretty uppity. It's hard to explain but the neighborhood is really cold. They have a lot of carnivals on the streets during the spring and it's filled to the brim with kids; but, it's not the most comfortable place for young singles to live or hang out.
Sunset Plaza is a really cute little area right in the heart of Brentwood. One of my favorite restaurants in the westside, Peppone, is in this shopping area. The food is insanely good, the booths are dark and the waiters are all very old school Italian. It's exactly what I think Dan Tana is going for, but Peppone actually has. The filet meatballs are out of this world.
There's a big chunck of apartments in Brentwood that are north of Wilshire and south of Sunset. A lot of people live there after college which brought a few young bars like Q's and a Cabo Cantina. But the apartments, in my opinion, are all old and ugly and way too expensive just because they are in Brentwood.
Basically, this neighborhood is fantastic if you're settled down with kids and money. But, if you're not, it doesn't have a ton to offer other than scenery.

Brentwood is a small and happy community centered around Barrington and W Sunset Blvd towards the west-end of Los Angeles. Its chief attractions include Barrington Plaza, a central post office location and the Barrington Recreation Center. Apartment and condominium buildings abound, nestled between reasonably quiet residential streets, houses and schools. Traffic is craziest during the usual rush hours in the early morning and early evening, so be sure to observe all lights and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street if you're a pedestrian. Speaking of pedestrians, one can't seem to walk five minutes in any direction without running into a local resident walking a dog or two. The neighborhood is very friendly to canines, and you'll find many dog meetings taking place in the neighborhood building lots as well as park areas at the Brentwood Recreation Center. The population in Brentwood varies and you will find residents of all ages, although the majority of the population does lean more towards a college student, young professional or yuppy family mix. Compared to other neighborhoods, Brentwood feels very safe and somewhat enclosed. With so many apartment balconies and local store shop windows looking down on the street it feels like the neighborhood watch is always in full effect around here. Bring your dogs here for a walk or a run, you won't regret visiting healthy and vibrant Brentwood this weekend.