2021 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in the Los Angeles Area

La Cañada Flintridge

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.19 out of 5  90 reviews

Nearby Resident: Lovely neighborhood with amazing houses and people! Palm trees are a cool addition. Safe environment, farmer's market on the weekends, streets that are clean and nicely paved...One thing I would change: La Canada has a very bubble-like quality. Because it is such a middle-upper class suburbs, many people are dissociated from the "real world." This can be both beneficial and harmful, but I would love for residents to go out of their comfort zone a little more. Explore!...Read 90 Reviews

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• 20,261 Population

South Pasadena

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.23 out of 5  90 reviews

Current Resident: I love to take walks here because it is safe, the weather is fantastic, and there are so many trees! I love the cute shops on Mission and Fair Oak. Sometimes, the mansions here make you feel like you're walking in the Loire Valley. ...I have heard that locals are slightly racist towards Latinx people. I have not noticed it, but I can believe it. The stories I have heard about include rude looks and demeaning remarks. Latinx students also are not encouraged to do well in school...South Pasadena's property values are partially due to the public schools. They are safe, and the students here usually do very well academically. However, the schools do not look after students' mental health. The high school counseling department turns away students when they come with issues, and the academically competitive atmosphere is often very tense. ...Overall, the stores and the vibe of the town are great, but you might have trouble with the social structure.Read 90 Reviews

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• 25,661 Population

Manhattan Beach

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.39 out of 5  90 reviews

Current Resident: Manhattan Beach is amazing! There are many types of restaurants to go, activities to do, etc. The only downside is that it is expensive to live in Manhattan Beach (not everyone can afford to live in Manhattan Beach)...Read 90 Reviews

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• 35,500 Population

Santa Monica

• Town in California
• Rating 4.36 out of 5  139 reviews

Current Resident: Santa Monica is a very peaceful coastal city. It has extensive beautiful beaches, a pier, a boardwalk, and borders the neighborhood of Venice. Santa Monica is a great place to walk with spacious parks, cafes, galleries, and restaurants. We have a unique school system with an abundance of options depending on which part of the city you occupy. I give it four stars because Santa Monica lacks diversity and is very expensive. Because of skyrocketing rent prices, small and historical businesses are shut down left and right and replaced by luxury and novelty goods shops that most cannot afford...Read 139 Reviews

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• 91,577 Population

Palos Verdes Estates

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  33 reviews

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• 13,434 Population

Rolling Hills

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: It is an excellent gated equestrian community to raise a family.Read 2 Reviews

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• 1,513 Population

Irvine

• City in California
• Rating 4.36 out of 5  525 reviews

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• 273,157 Population

Ladera Ranch

• Suburb of Irvine, CA
• Rating 4.2 out of 5  66 reviews

Current Resident: Ladera Ranch is a great place for families! Accordingly, the statement made by "Niche" that most of the families in Ladera Ranch tend to be liberal is totally false. I've lived in the area for 20 years and I'm very politically active, so I've seen the voter registration lists. It's more like 75% conservative and 25% liberal...Read 66 Reviews

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• 27,277 Population

San Marino

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  49 reviews

Nearby Resident: The only way to tell where Alhambra ends and San Marino begins is the color of the street signs because both cities are gorgeous. San Marino has ordinances that keep it very safe. The city has no bars/convenience stores/ liquor stores, no fast food restaurants, no retail chain stores, no supermarkets, no hotels, no theaters, and only one 24-hour gas station. All other businesses close no later than 7:30pm, and the parks close no later than 8:30pm. There are also very few apartments/condos. There are no public activities in the evenings which eliminates most reasons for non-residents to be in the city after dark. It's a guarantee that the only vehicles you will see on the streets in the late evening/early morning hours are the police. If you desire to live in a city where an assortment of restaurant/bar/shopping options are convenient or within walking distance, then this is not where you would want to live. Residents need to venture to neighboring cities for such options & amenities...Read 49 Reviews

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• 13,194 Population

Hermosa Beach

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.46 out of 5  52 reviews

Nearby Resident: Hermosa Beach is a quaint beach town with tons to do. It has both a great day and night life. There are significant shops to visit and restaurants to eat at. Overall, I would recommend visiting!Read 52 Reviews

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• 19,539 Population

Redondo Beach

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  185 reviews

Current Resident: Redondo Beach is absolutely amazing! The city is extremely clean with many places to dine in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The beaches are extremely clean, and the pier is filled with fun activities. There are many places to take photos, enjoy the beach, get food, and spend quality time. The schools are also amazing, the district provides students with the necessary resources to help them succeed and prepare them for the future. The city itself is pretty safe, and if there were anything, local authorities are always on top of it. Redondo is also close to the freeways which allows you easy access to get where ever you desire to go. Although the property is on the more expensive side, the views, people, and cleanliness make up for it...Read 185 Reviews

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• 67,423 Population

Oak Park

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.14 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: Oak Park is a very welcoming and open suburban space with recreational opportunities, such as a community center and hiking trails. There is also a good school district, OPUSD, that consists of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The community is relatively small, but it is perfect for people who like to stay active and live in a quieter space close in proximity to Los Angeles, the beach, and the mountains. Although, it is quite expensive to live in Oak Park, with houses ranging from $600K-$1M...Read 64 Reviews

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• 13,853 Population

Culver City

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.41 out of 5  184 reviews

Current Resident: Culver City is an inclusive city that cherishes diversity and welcomes all kinds of people! Although we could take better care of our environment by stopping loitering in some places, many of us care for our town and strive to make it a more sustainable place. The weather is always beautiful and the city is close to the beach. Neighbors and other citizens are friendly and many of us feel safe in this area. At the same time, there are many students and adults who continue to fight for issues like gender and racial equality to make this city a better place for everyone...Read 184 Reviews

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• 39,169 Population

Rossmoor

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: I enjoy the calm cozy feeling that radiates from the neighborhood due to the good weather allowing families to spend time at the numerous parks. Additionally, trees line the streets within Rossmoor creating a sense of protection upon entering the neighborhood. The only downside is the neighborhood can be difficult to navigate if never driven in before; however, this can be solved with a navigational device. Furthermore, bike lanes line most streets within the neighborhood allowing for easy access for bikers as well as runners...Read 12 Reviews

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• 11,128 Population

Rolling Hills Estates

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: I don't know why this city gets a C+ crime rating. It is safe. There are more families moving in, but still plenty of retirement homes too. The local mall is not worth mentioning, sadly, don't know why businesses have such a tough time up here. Most of the people are friendly and helpful. We have lived here for 20 years. My son has gone to school here. No problems. Diverse community. His friends I call the mini- United Nations congregation! Horse trails, LA city views, close to beaches. Love it. If you are looking for nightlife, this isn't the place, unless you are into wildlife- the 4 legged furry kind...Beautiful place. Safe place.Read 26 Reviews

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• 8,169 Population

Coto de Caza

• Suburb of Irvine, CA
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  21 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Coto for 2 1/2 years now. I definitely enjoy the quiet even though the back of our house faces the main road in the neighborhood. Everyone is friendly and polite. Going to the local gym is always fun. The workers there are always there to help you when you need it. I think the only thing that makes this neighborhood a 4 instead of a 5 is the fact it takes so long just to exit the neighborhood. You need a car to live here, which is fine, but a simple run to grocery store is a mission; there's no way you could make it a "walk" to the grocery store... I tried. Nonetheless, it's a great place to live for families...Read 21 Reviews

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• 15,056 Population

Beverly Hills

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  72 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I feel that Beverly Hills is often times a very warm suburb when you encounter every day people in the neighborhood and local area. Despite the reputation the city has, people are extremely friendly and welcoming. It is not much different from other suburbs I have lived in before...Read 72 Reviews

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• 34,186 Population

Rancho Palos Verdes

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.13 out of 5  107 reviews

Current Resident: The city of Rancho Palos Verdes is quite beautiful. When you are at the top of Hawthorne boulevard and driving southbound down the hill, you can view the ocean from the right hand side and in front of you. ...The city is clean. The fire department is awesome. Be careful not to speed because the sheriff's will definitely catch you and give you a speeding ticket. The downside is the fact that many of the drivers in this city drive poorly. There is a reason automobile insurance is higher here than off the hill. ...Due to the close vicinity of the post office, mall, grocery stores, large parks with playgrounds, gas stations, and five different Starbucks within a five mile radius, there is really no reason to leave the city. The neighborhood is very safe...Read 107 Reviews

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• 42,030 Population

Arcadia

• Town in California
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  248 reviews

Current Resident: Arcadia is a beautiful, well balanced foothills city. Population is medium sized with lots of places to see. The city park is large and offers children and adults a fun place to walk, play and mingle. There’s a nice mall for shopping, the LA arboretum is wonderful to visit. The city has summer concerts and is near downtown but less crowded than other suburban cities. Schools are top rated and has a large local hospital (Methodist hospital) and other health care facilities are not excellent. It is a great place to live for all ages...Read 248 Reviews

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• 58,152 Population

North Tustin

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  32 reviews

Current Resident: North Tustin is a safe, clean, and beautiful area in Orange County. Public schools in this area are highly rated, which is important for perspective families and good for property values. North Tustin is also conveniently located near Toll Roads and freeways, but not close enough to be disturbed by traffic. It is also a short distance to the gorgeous Orange County beaches!...Read 32 Reviews

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• 24,705 Population

Seal Beach

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.44 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: Best city I’ve ever visited in California. Very close to airports, and nightlife scene, however it’s tucked away as a sleepy little town in the heart of Orange County/LA area. Awesome pier, cute downtown. Perfect weather. Quite enough to raise a family, but active enough to stay very much so entertained. A beach family’s paradise. Tight knit, clean, and community pride. Hard to come by a city like this these days. A hidden gem and crown jewel of SoCal...Read 48 Reviews

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• 24,204 Population

Aliso Viejo

• Suburb of Irvine, CA
• Rating 4.27 out of 5  151 reviews

Current Resident: Aliso Viejo is a quiet little suburb. While it is not as safe as Irvine, it is still a safe place to raise your children and have a family. There is a fire station practically next door from you! In addition, everything you could want in terms of amenities are all within a reasonable distance from you. From groceries at Costco to food at Chile's and clothing at Vans, this is the place to live. It is ideal for families with children of any age. For those with teenagers, there is a high school embedded in the heart of town. If you are looking for a place that is still attached to the hustle and bustle of the city but retains its peace and serenity, then this is the place for you...Read 151 Reviews

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• 50,663 Population

Cerritos

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.26 out of 5  215 reviews

Current Resident: Cerritos is a very Asian dominant filled city. That being said it is a very quiet city, which is good for families and elderly. Cerritos is very strict with its cleanliness but overall well kept. There is no overnight street parking allowed, if you're planning to have people over the weekend you do need to display an overnight parking permit provided by community safety department by the Sheriff's Station. Overall the city is very community orientated and is well kept. But don't just take my word for it, drive through the city yourself and see!...Read 215 Reviews

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• 50,143 Population

Stevenson Ranch

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.27 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: I love Stevenson Ranch because it's a good place to grow up. It's safe yet diverse, and it's just outside of a large cultural city, so there is significant access to different types oof culture exposure. If I could change anything, I'd like more people to take advantage of the close proximity to the city to explore new things and gain new perspectives. It's such a good place to grow and learn before starting the greater and more independent stages of life...Read 48 Reviews

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• 19,179 Population

Yorba Linda

• Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
• Rating 4.35 out of 5  147 reviews

Current Resident: We've been living in Yorba Linda for 7 years and love it! Great schools, friendly people and a small town vibe. Not surprising to run into friends at the grocery store, see your kids friends working part-time at local restaurants, etc. Beautiful parks and walking trails too. We love YL!...Read 147 Reviews

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• 67,725 Population