What makes a good neighborhood? Some people prefer a pedestrian-friendly community with lots of amenities nearby, while others prefer a more affordable, tranquil suburb away from the city noise and traffic. In a city as large as Los Angeles, where there are well over 200 different neighborhoods, pinpointing a specific neighborhood that’s right for you might sound like a herculean task. For many new students and professors attending the popular Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Westchester, finding a great community to live off-campus is a common problem. Luckily, there are several neighborhoods close to LMU.

Below are some of the best neighborhoods near LMU in Westchester. 

El Segundo

An aerial of El Segundo and the beach / Photo by Ken Lund / CC BY-SA

For those who plan on traveling a lot, living in El Segundo means being closer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). But residents in this neighborhood who are part of the LMU community aren’t just conveniently located near the airport, they’re also close to school. The commute to LMU by car from El Segundo only takes about 15 minutes. Although there aren’t too many densely-packed residential complexes in the area, homebuyers can find a variety of single-family and attached homes in the neighborhood ranging from $500,000 for a two-bedroom home to nearly $3 million for a luxurious estate, according to local listings. With a small-town vibe, despite being next to the big city and a jet-roaring airport, El Segundo is a close-knit community offering a quaint lifestyle. The neighborhood is close to the beach as well as the 105 and 405 freeways.

Palms

A tree filled park in the Palms neighborhood

LMU students who want to live around other students, as well as entertainment and tech professionals, can head towards the small neighborhood of Palms. This community—only 20 minutes away from campus—is surrounded by more affluent neighborhoods including Culver City, Pico Robertson, and Marina del Rey. Known as a millennial magnet, potential homebuyers looking for a home in the eclectic Palms neighborhood can expect prices ranging from the low $300,000s to $2.4 million. There are many residential complexes as well as single-family and attached homes scattered throughout Palms. However, the community’s main draws include its proximity to the amenity-filled Downtown Culver City, diverse dining options, and the Metro’s Expo Line.

Inglewood

An aerial of Inglewood / Shutterstock

For LMU individuals who want to invest in an up-and-coming neighborhood near campus, a solid option is Inglewood (only 10 minutes away from campus). Because the community is currently seeing lots of construction for its new NFL stadium as well as future renovations for Metro stations, many developers are flocking to areas near Morningside Park, Hyde Park, and Prairie Avenue. Construction and condominium developments are expected to finish by 2023 at the earliest.

Mar Vista

Venice Grind coffee in Mar Vista

Living in Mar Vista is not cheap, but for those in the LMU community who enjoy having plenty of restaurant and café options to choose from, this neighborhood might be right for you. Mar Vista—not to be confused with Mar Vista Avenue in Pasadena—is a short 20-minute drive from Loyola Marymount. Residents can expect streets lined with quality restaurants and dessert shops as well as a 15-minute trip to the beach. The community of Mar Vista is close-knit, and it gives off a sense of small-town charm because of the neighborhood’s commitment to preserving historic architecture alongside more contemporary renovations. Current prices for this neighborhood range between the high $400,000s to nearly $5 million.

Mid-Wilshire

Street in Mid-Wilshire neighborhood

Although many people like to live closer to campus on the westside of Los Angeles, there are others who don’t mind living farther away. Mid-Wilshireis about 30 minutes away from LMU by car. It’s filled with a mixture of residential properties, from gated communities and high-rise complexes to single-family homes and townhomes. Many residents prefer living in Mid-Wilshire for its central location, which allows similar travel times to both westside and eastside LA. However, this neighborhood gets the bulk of traffic congestion during peak hours, and since it’s still very spread out, most people complete their errands by car. However, if you live closer to more popular areas near The Grove or the La Brea Tar Pits, errands can easily be achieved on foot.