Why Your Home Search Needs to Include a Neighborhood Search

Why Your Home Search Needs to Include a Neighborhood Search

It is easy to fall in love with a beautiful house with an up-to-date kitchen, an open floor plan, a beautiful yard, all the upscale finishings, and the correct number of ensuite bedrooms and then compromise on the neighborhood. However, it’s important to evaluate whether or not the community is a good fit.
 
Instead of compromising, look first for the neighborhood that suits your lifestyle and interests. Doing so will help you narrow down your home search and prioritize homes that are most likely to check all the boxes in a perfect new location. Start your exploration by looking at some unique qualities that make Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Malibu, or Pacific Palisades a special place to call home.

Bel Air and the Golden Age of Hollywood


Bel Air and its close neighbor Holmby Hills make up two legs of the Platinum Triangle. In Bel Air, you’ll find some of the most famous and luxurious mansions of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and Olympic-sized swimming pools and tennis courts are standard amenities. The landmark Hotel Bel Air, a rival to the Beverly Hills Hotel, entertains guests from around the world, and the home of the late filmmaker Ernst Lubitsch looms prominently in the landscape. Today’s film stars also seek the tranquil privacy of a home in Bel Air.
 
Tucked among the many glamorous Hollywood mansions are townhouses and luxury homes for sale in Bel Air. Both private and public schools are convenient. The campus of UCLA and the American Jewish University are also within easy reach. Above all, there is space to breathe air freshened by ocean breezes.

The secret sides of Beverly Hills


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Beverly Hills has many sides. Within this section of the Platinum Triangle, the Beverly Hills shopping district offers luxury retail stores on Rodeo Drive. The modernist Gagosian Gallery is just a few minutes away on North Camden Drive. Dining begins with Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and spreads to cafes, coffee houses, and casual dining options. This side of Beverly Hills is vibrant, exciting, and a place to see and be seen.
 
Beyond the busy mix of shoppers and sightseers is the peace and privacy of residential palm tree-lined streets. The Beverly Hills Post Office section has the cachet of having the only Beverly Hills zip code, making it the most desirable of addresses and the priciest real estate in Beverly Hills. Luxury homes in the “Flats” have architectural styles ranging from mid-century modern to Hollywood glamour. Living in Beverly Hills Flats provides quick access to the excitement of downtown while enjoying the privacy afforded by a home on a generously sized lot. Public and private Beverly Hills schools are also within easy reach.

Brentwood’s eclectic vibe


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Brentwood has an eclectic vibe that supports arts, culture, and recreation. The world-renowned Getty Center attracts scholars from around the world and showcases fantastic works of art.
 
Art, music, and theater are at the doorstep of Brentwood residents. The city of Brentwood actively supports local artists and writers through opportunities to showcase their work and receive financial support, and there are public art installations throughout the city. In addition to a wide selection of shops and restaurants, if you are moving to Brentwood, be sure to check out the Brentwood Village Certified Farmers’ Market year-round every Sunday. Local restaurants also make use of a wide choice of seasonal organic produce.
 
A Brentwood home is generously set apart from its neighbor. Options range from the privacy of gated communities to golf homes. This family-friendly neighborhood has excellent public and private schools and mixes suburban living with convenient access to shops, services, and the campus of UCLA.

From the oceanfront to the foothills: Malibu and Pacific Palisades


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Malibu beckons the person who believes life is always better at the beach. Nowhere is there a more significant opportunity to be immersed in the magical qualities of the sea than along the 21 miles of southern California beach along the Pacific Coast Highway. Surfers worldwide flock to Malibu to pay homage to the home of modern surfing and surf the consistently perfect waves at Surfrider Beach.
 
When not surfing, there is still plenty to do outdoors, from dolphin and whale watching from the Malibu Pier to diving for lobster and sea bass to exploring Zuma, Point Dume, and many other nearby beaches. From surfer hangouts to an upscale dining option or making the difficult choice between the Malibu Farm Restaurant and the Malibu Farm Cafe located on opposite ends of the Malibu Pier, eating out is always a pleasure.
 
Malibu real estate has a wide range of prices. Naturally, an oceanfront getaway is highly desirable and sells quickly. In the town of Malibu and along the bluffs, a luxury home with an ocean view is a desirable option.

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Pacific Palisades benefits from fresh breezes flowing off the ocean onto the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Home buyers include film industry professionals seeking the cooler temperatures and the softly enveloping beauty of the morning fog formations in May and June.
 
Pacific Palisades residents enjoy hiking on one of the many scenic trails at their doorstep. Two state parks and the J. Paul Getty Villa add to the beauty of the canyons. Pacific Palisades homes feature an architectural style that embraces clean lines and expansive windows to let in the incomparable views and the ocean breezes. Roof decks are a popular way to increase the breadth of view from the home. Other Pacific Palisades homes, such as the Modern Tree House designed by architect David Hyun, embrace the play of natural light in the canyons.

The search for your dream home made easy


When searching for properties in these incredible neighborhoods, you’re sure to find a home with an up-to-date kitchen, an open floor plan, gorgeous scenery, and all the amenities imaginable. Get started on the right foot by hiring an agent who’s knowledgeable about all the unique qualities of the neighborhoods of Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades. Your agent will have all the insider information about these communities and can connect you with homes that have all the features you’re looking for.
 
Connect with Realtor® Desirée Lapin today for expert assistance in exploring the amazing homes in each of these neighborhoods. She looks forward to your call!

*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock




Work with Desirée

While considered a veteran in the industry, Desirée embraces the newest technologies and keeps pace with the latest real estate trends. When you choose to work with her, you benefit from the experience of a full-time, life-time professional who listens.