Highland Park is a neighborhood approximately eight miles north of Downtown Los Angeles, and it’s adjacent to trendy areas such as Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, and Atwater Village. These days, it’s nearly impossible to discuss these neighborhoods without mentioning Highland Park as well. 

Although Highland Park has had a checkered past, longtime residents as well as the arrival of upscale restaurants and coffee shops have worked to clean up and transform the neighborhood in recent years. Highland Park is now an eclectic, hip, and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with tree-lined streets, cool dive bars, dynamic gastropubs, and local art galleries. 

For prospective homebuyers who are interested in moving to Highland Park, here are five reasons why you should consider relocating to this trendy and urban neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles.

Variety of Homes

Home in Highland Park

In the beginning of the century, Highland Park had many majestic and unique-looking Mid-Century Craftsman style homes such as the Lummis Home. While many have been preserved or landmarked since then, homes now are either single-family residences, townhomes, or luxury condominiums.

Homebuyers will find a variety of home styles in Highland Park, from charming and historic to elegant and contemporary—it all depends on where you look. To find some of the neighborhood’s nicest homes, head towards Highland Park’s main corridors, which include York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street.

Although home prices in the relatively affordable neighborhood have risen in recent years, current home prices range from high $200s to $3.5 million. 

Artist Haven

Art Galleries in Highland Park

When it comes to artists in Los Angeles, where you live in the city can help with networking and finding opportunities. While Downtown and Silver Lake are ideal artist enclaves, they’re typically for more established and well-known artists who have either grown up in the neighborhood or worked in the industry for many years.

The neighborhood currently has several art galleries and studios scattered along York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street. Up-and-coming artists, whether they’re looking to get their artwork into a gallery or record an album at a studio, might find Highland Park a great place to network. Many residents in this neighborhood might work at a local coffee shop or restaurant while they moonlight as a musician, actor, or artist—classic LA. 

Eat Your Heart Out

The Greyhound Bar & Grill

From fusion sit-down restaurants to BYOB, Highland Park means business when it comes to mouthwatering food. Although not as heavily commercialized as the foodie destinations in Atwater Village or Silver Lake, Highland Park is definitely a contender among the best in the city. 

If you’re looking to move to an affordable neighborhood that’s a foodie haven, simply head towards Highland Park. The bulk of the neighborhood’s pour-over coffee shops, brunch spots, dessert eateries, breweries, and restaurants can be found along the main streets of York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street. Popular restaurants include The Greyhound Bar & Grill and Kitchen Mouse.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities

Highland neighborhood in Los Angeles

Even though the main thoroughfares of the neighborhood are York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street, there are still plenty of activities to partake in for both locals and visitors in Highland Park. From retro bowling and novel boutiques to unconventional museums and historic landmarked homes, this diverse and varied neighborhood does not hold back when it comes to off-the-beat activities and recreation.

These activities might include catching a film at Highland Theatres, playing a round of bowling at Highland Park Bowl, the city’s oldest bowling alley, or shopping for vintage soda at Galco’s Soda Pop Stop.

Pedestrian- and Commuter-Friendly

Highland Park Metro

Even though most residents in Los Angeles drive, many prefer living in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood like Highland Park. While York Boulevard and North Figueroa are extremely walkable, more residential parts of Highland Park might offer less of a walking culture.

However, with the recent opening of the Metro’s Gold Line Station near the intersection of North Avenue 57 at Marmion Way, the neighborhood is rapidly evolving into a transit-friendly community. The new station, paired with the influx of new nightlife establishments, have activated the Figueroa corridor as one of Highland Park’s most pedestrian-friendly and trendy areas. With the new station, traveling to Downtown by train has never been easier. For commuters who want to easily travel to other parts of the city, the 110 freeway is also conveniently located nearby.