Homes in Los Angeles: Mar Vista is the best choice for buyers due to high prices in Santa Monica and Venice.

Mar Vista on the West Side of Los Angeles is gaining popularity, which is driving real estate prices up. This area in West Los Angeles had long remained a relatively unknown corner of the city that one could drive through on the way to the beach without even knowing its name. However, since the early 2000s, Mar Vista has started to appear on the map, both literally and figuratively - the neighborhood was officially established only in 2006. Today, this three-square-mile enclave is considered one of the best places to buy real estate on the West Side, as evidenced by the rapid increase in prices. Located between Venice and Culver City, and on the border of the so-called Silicon Beach, it’s surprising that Mar Vista took so long to gain its newfound popularity. Nevertheless, its relative anonymity has worked in the neighborhood's favor, preserving its calm, family-friendly atmosphere.

The demand for real estate in Mar Vista is partly driven by rising prices in neighboring Santa Monica and Venice, says luxury real estate specialist Paul Salazar from the Beverly Hills firm Hilton & Hyland. "What happened in Cheviot Hills, which experienced a huge price surge due to spillover from Beverly Hills, is now happening in Mar Vista. Santa Monica and Venice are more expensive areas, so buyers are turning their attention to Mar Vista, where they can find more options and more space." Each year, an increasing number of buyers are focusing on Mar Vista, attracting the attention of residential and commercial developers, whose new buildings are transforming the former transit area into something of a destination.

Living in Mar Vista

The construction boom in the 1950s and 1960s led to the emergence of single-family neighborhoods in Mar Vista, which still exist today. As a result, the area has long been associated with the supply of mid-century homes and rustic bungalows on lots of about 5,000 square feet, with the best properties even occupying up to 16,000 square feet. However, as wealthy buyers have increasingly turned their attention to real estate in Mar Vista, the construction of new homes is on the rise, says Salazar. "Developers have started to recognize this new wave of buyers in Mar Vista, and they are replacing some of the old properties with new buildings."

Home prices in Mar Vista

Perhaps no other neighborhood in Los Angeles illustrates how much the real estate market of a specific area can change over the years as well as Mar Vista. "Until 2018, there were no transactions over 4 million dollars.

The atmosphere in Mar Vista

With its suburban character, Mar Vista is mostly made up of quiet residential streets. Therefore, the neighborhood has attracted many young families looking for a safe place to live with close access to busier neighborhoods. However, more businesses are beginning to pop up in Mar Vista, and in particular, a wave of new well-received restaurants is causing a stir among food lovers in Los Angeles.

Schools in Mar Vista

Students are served by the Los Angeles public school district. In this part of the city, there are three elementary schools and one middle school. The prestigious private high school Windward, one of the best in the city, is located on Palm Boulevard at the western end of Mar Vista.

In the Mar Vista area

In about 10 minutes, residents of Mar Vista can find themselves at Venice Beach or in the heart of Culver City. Santa Monica Pier is located about five miles northwest, or roughly a 15-minute drive away. Depending on traffic, Los Angeles International Airport can be reached in just 20 minutes by car. Thanks to its proximity to Interstate 10, downtown Los Angeles is easily accessible and can be reached in 20 minutes.