Thinking about Westwood for your next move and trying to compare it with Santa Monica or Beverly Hills? You want a neighborhood that works for daily life, not just a pretty street. In this guide, you will learn how Westwood fits family needs across housing, schools, commuting, parks, and practical logistics. Let’s dive in.
Westwood at a glance
Westwood sits on the Westside and is anchored by UCLA and Westwood Village. You will find a mix of dense condo and apartment corridors along Wilshire and Westwood Boulevard and quieter single-family streets in pockets like Westwood Park and North Westwood. The population blends students and young professionals with long-term households and UCLA faculty and staff.
Westwood Village offers walkable restaurants, cinemas, and everyday services. The campus brings cultural and athletic events, and it also adds traffic and foot activity, which can vary by block and time of day. If you want a quieter feel, look for residential blocks set back from the village and campus edges.
Housing options for $1M–$4M
In Westwood, most options under $4M are condos, townhomes, and smaller single-family homes, often with some renovation needs. Larger single-family properties in prime pockets often exceed $4M. Inventory moves quickly, so you will want to track live comps when you get serious about a block or building.
- $1M to $1.5M: mainly 1 to 2 bedroom condos or small townhomes.
- $1.5M to $3M: higher-end condos, larger townhomes, and occasional small single-family homes that may need updates or sit on smaller lots.
- $3M to $4M: renovated single-family cottages or mid-size homes in select pockets, plus premium multi-bedroom condos and townhouses.
Buyer persona: young family, 1–2 kids
You want a 2 to 3 bedroom townhome or large condo within walking distance to errands. Focus on newer infill along commercial corridors, and confirm parking and storage. Noise can vary, so visit after dinner or on weekends to test the vibe.
Buyer persona: established family seeking quiet
You want a single-family home on a calmer street in North Westwood or Westwood Park. In the $3M to $4M range, you may find renovated cottages or mid-size homes. If you need more space or a move-in product, be prepared that many single-family options run above $4M.
Buyer persona: owner-occupant investor
You want a condo or small multi-unit style building where rental potential matters. Westwood’s strong rental demand from UCLA students and employees supports occupancy, but you should review rent control, tenant protections, and short-term rental rules before you buy.
How Westwood compares nearby
Westwood vs. Santa Monica
Santa Monica offers beach access, larger park systems near the coast, and a wider single-family inventory, often at a higher price per square foot in many pockets. Westwood offers stronger access to UCLA, a larger condo and townhome mix in the $1M to $4M range, and shorter drives to Beverly Hills and Century City.
Westwood vs. Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills features more estate-scale single-family homes and larger lots, with fewer rental and student dynamics. Prices for single-family homes are typically higher. Westwood trades lot size for access to UCLA and a broader mix of multi-family options within the $1M to $4M range.
Schools and child care
Westwood is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. School assignment depends on your exact address, and boundaries can change, so always verify with LAUSD. Many families also look at magnet or choice programs, which can affect enrollment paths.
The Westside has a dense network of private and independent schools within a short drive. Preschools and daycares are plentiful, though waitlists are common, so starting early helps. Parents often review third-party school profiles and state accountability reports to understand academic programs and context.
UCLA is a major asset for enrichment. You will find public events, museums, youth camps, and more that support year-round learning and activities.
Getting around daily
Westwood Village and the major commercial corridors are very walkable for errands, dining, and services. Residential pockets vary, so your walkability depends on which side of the corridor you live on.
Transit options include local bus service along Wilshire and Westwood Boulevard. The Metro Purple Line Extension is under construction toward stations near UCLA and the VA Hospital. Timelines have changed in the past, so you should check current updates, yet once open, the line is expected to improve transit access and reduce driving for many commutes.
For driving, Wilshire Boulevard and the I-10 connect east and west, and the I-405 links north and south to Brentwood, Beverly Hills, and Century City. Typical off-peak drive times are about 10 to 20 minutes to Century City or Beverly Hills, 20 to 40 minutes to Downtown, and 25 to 45 minutes to LAX, depending on traffic.
Parking is a mix of metered or permit street parking and paid structures in Westwood Village, plus driveways or garages on some single-family streets. Multi-car households should confirm on-site parking and any permit rules for their block.
Parks, groceries and healthcare
Westwood has small neighborhood parks and the Westwood Recreation Center, which offers youth programs, sports fields, and playgrounds. Nearby Holmby Park provides additional green space, and beaches in Santa Monica are a short drive.
Grocery options include national chains, natural and organic markets, and smaller specialty stores within a short drive or walk from many blocks. Westwood Village still provides cinemas and a range of restaurants. Nearby districts, including Sawtelle, offer diverse dining.
Healthcare access is excellent due to the proximity of UCLA medical complexes and a wide selection of pediatric and family providers on the Westside. Urgent care and primary care services are readily available.
UCLA events, including sports and commencement, can spike traffic and activity in parts of Westwood. If you prefer quiet evenings, prioritize residential blocks away from university-adjacent corridors.
Safety, zoning and rentals
Like much of Los Angeles, Westwood experiences mostly property crimes, such as theft and vehicle break-ins. Activity can shift block by block, especially near retail and university areas with higher foot traffic. For due diligence, review crime maps, speak with neighbors, and visit the block at different times.
Zoning in Westwood mixes multifamily along major corridors and single-family inside residential pockets. Rent regulation includes the City of Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance for many pre-1978 units and statewide limits on many rent increases under AB 1482. Short-term rentals have city restrictions and registration requirements.
Recent development trends include infill condo construction along Wilshire and other corridors. The Purple Line Extension is a major infrastructure project that could support more transit-oriented development over time.
Quick block-by-block checks
Use this short list to vet a specific address:
- Verify LAUSD school boundaries for the exact street address.
- Confirm on-site parking, guest parking, and any residential permit rules.
- Review property history, year built, and any rent stabilization status if relevant.
- Test noise at night and on weekends near Westwood Village or campus venues.
- Note proximity to future Purple Line stations and any construction impacts.
- Walk the route to groceries, parks, and after-school activities you use most.
Is Westwood a fit for your family?
If you value walkable amenities, access to UCLA programs, and a wide range of condos and townhomes, Westwood delivers strong day-to-day convenience. If you need a larger, move-in single-family home, expect fewer options under $4M and consider targeting specific pockets. With careful block selection and the right timing, you can match space, budget, and daily life.
Ready for tailored guidance and private access in 90024? Reach out to the team at Bellet/Grakal/Glick Real Estate Group for a local game plan, on- and off-market options, and a smooth path from search to closing.
FAQs
What can you buy in Westwood for $1M–$4M?
- Expect mostly condos and townhomes, with some smaller or fixer single-family homes appearing at the upper end, while many larger single-family homes exceed $4M.
How do Westwood public schools work under LAUSD?
- School assignments are based on address and can change, so verify boundaries with LAUSD and review magnet or choice programs that may affect enrollment.
What is the parking situation in Westwood’s 90024?
- Parking varies by block, with a mix of metered and permit street parking, paid village structures, and on-site driveways or garages on single-family streets.
How will the Metro Purple Line affect Westwood commutes?
- Once completed, the extension toward UCLA and the VA Hospital is expected to improve transit access, though timelines change, so check current project updates.
Is Westwood kid-friendly for everyday family life?
- Many pockets offer parks, a recreation center, and UCLA cultural amenities, while blocks near the Village can have more student activity and evening foot traffic.
