Westchester
Ranked 53rd best neighborhood in Los Angeles
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Great for
- Internet Access
- Parking
- Resale or Rental Value
- Cost of Living
- Medical Facilities
Not great for
- Nightlife
- Shopping Options
- Eating Out
- Gym & Fitness
- Public Transport
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Students
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Westchester
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Better than It Seems"
Westchester is an upper-middleclass neighborhood that stretches to the northeast of LAX—which it also technically encompasses. The neighborhood of 40K+ is mainly known for being adjacent to the airport and for high crime. A closer look at the neighborhood, however, reveals a different picture.
Let’s begin with crime. Westchester is only about average in terms of violent crime, far from the high rate associated with places like Hollywood or Venice. There have only been four murders in Westchester since 2007. In addition, the community has formed a motivated and determined neighborhood watch to keep an eye on things.
Where the crime problem still remains true, unfortunately, is when it comes to non-violent property crime. In this regard, the impression is accurate. Westchester is ranked in the top ten of LA neighborhoods in terms of property crime. So this is definitely the kind of place where you don’t want to leave anything valuable in your neighborhood.
Westchester is much more than just LAX—though LAX is certainly worth mentioning in its own right as the central West Coast hub that it is. However, Westchester is also home to Loyola Marymount University on its western border with Playa del Rey. The century old Catholic university known for its basketball team is one of great LA universities offering world class Jesuit liberal arts education.
Unfortunately the weaker public school system doesn’t quite keep up with the strong standard of Loyola—most of the schools in the area perform poorly on standardized tests. Such is the case with Westchester High School in neighboring Playa del Rey—one of the main high school student from Loyola attend—and tiny Hillcrest and Animo high schools are little better all having similarly dismal scores. The exception to all this is El Segundo High which has outstanding scores, and the private schools, lead by St. Bernard’s that are excellent if you are willing to pay for them.
The neighborhood is filled with nice Ranch and Mission Revival style homes—many of them stored away up in the hills. The lots are only average sized but they are really well kept. You can tell that the residents here care about their neighborhood and take the time to show it with their lawn maintenance and home repairs.
The word on the street is that the neighborhood is up-and-coming, with lots of younger people moving in. Things are looking up for it.
Let’s begin with crime. Westchester is only about average in terms of violent crime, far from the high rate associated with places like Hollywood or Venice. There have only been four murders in Westchester since 2007. In addition, the community has formed a motivated and determined neighborhood watch to keep an eye on things.
Where the crime problem still remains true, unfortunately, is when it comes to non-violent property crime. In this regard, the impression is accurate. Westchester is ranked in the top ten of LA neighborhoods in terms of property crime. So this is definitely the kind of place where you don’t want to leave anything valuable in your neighborhood.
Westchester is much more than just LAX—though LAX is certainly worth mentioning in its own right as the central West Coast hub that it is. However, Westchester is also home to Loyola Marymount University on its western border with Playa del Rey. The century old Catholic university known for its basketball team is one of great LA universities offering world class Jesuit liberal arts education.
Unfortunately the weaker public school system doesn’t quite keep up with the strong standard of Loyola—most of the schools in the area perform poorly on standardized tests. Such is the case with Westchester High School in neighboring Playa del Rey—one of the main high school student from Loyola attend—and tiny Hillcrest and Animo high schools are little better all having similarly dismal scores. The exception to all this is El Segundo High which has outstanding scores, and the private schools, lead by St. Bernard’s that are excellent if you are willing to pay for them.
The neighborhood is filled with nice Ranch and Mission Revival style homes—many of them stored away up in the hills. The lots are only average sized but they are really well kept. You can tell that the residents here care about their neighborhood and take the time to show it with their lawn maintenance and home repairs.
The word on the street is that the neighborhood is up-and-coming, with lots of younger people moving in. Things are looking up for it.
Pros
- Nice Older Homes
- Good Catholic University
- Proximity to airport
Cons
- A Bit Bland
- Airport Noise
- Traffic
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Students
Westchester
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
"Airport Town"
Westchester started off as an agricultural area --like most of Los Angeles was -- and remained that way until the '50's. Howard Hughes took this area over for flight-related activities and it's been airport turf pretty much ever since.
When planes could make the cross-country flight without refueling (in the '60's) LAX really started to become what it is today. And, now Westchester is ruled by the giant airport.
Loyola moved its campus to Westchester and Pepperdine has one of its grad schools in the area so there are a lot of students who live here. But, I wouldn't want to live here. It's close to the beach but not as close as many other neighborhoods. And, it is pretty cheap but it's ugly. Most of the residences are run down and the yards are pretty sad. There is a ton of traffic in this neighborhood and nothing to so you have to endure it. If you want to eat at a non-chain restaurant or go for a night out -- you have to sit throught insane airport traffic. And, the planes going overhead every 30 seconds has got to be annoying and keep you awake all night long. There just really aren't a lot of redeeming qualities to this neck of the woods. And, I would slit my throat if I had to listen to deafening jets and car horns honking 24 hours a day.
When planes could make the cross-country flight without refueling (in the '60's) LAX really started to become what it is today. And, now Westchester is ruled by the giant airport.
Loyola moved its campus to Westchester and Pepperdine has one of its grad schools in the area so there are a lot of students who live here. But, I wouldn't want to live here. It's close to the beach but not as close as many other neighborhoods. And, it is pretty cheap but it's ugly. Most of the residences are run down and the yards are pretty sad. There is a ton of traffic in this neighborhood and nothing to so you have to endure it. If you want to eat at a non-chain restaurant or go for a night out -- you have to sit throught insane airport traffic. And, the planes going overhead every 30 seconds has got to be annoying and keep you awake all night long. There just really aren't a lot of redeeming qualities to this neck of the woods. And, I would slit my throat if I had to listen to deafening jets and car horns honking 24 hours a day.
Pros
- Proximity to airport
- Cheap rent
Cons
- Ugly
- Dangerous at night
- Traffic
