Inglewood

Do you have a pet chinchilla? Your pet's origins can likely be traced back to Lennox in Los Angeles County's South Bay. At one time, the area was home to a large chinchilla farm to which most domestic pet chinchillas can be linked. And that's not all; Lennox also was the site of the world's largest parrot aviary. Today Lennox is not particularly known for furry or feathered friends — it's a mixed-used residential neighborhood with access to schools, a park, and various spots to shop and eat. Lennox's identity is tied in with Inglewood's, and it's notable for its closeness to Los Angeles International Airport. As you walk along the sidewalks of Lennox, you'll notice most homes here have front yards, many with palm or flowering trees and shrubs, and a good portion are surrounded by decorative iron fencing or stone or brick walls. Stroll along long stretches, as the blocks running north-to-south are fairly long. When you reach a busy street like Lennox Boulevard, look for a market on the corner and some small businesses. There's a good range of real estate here, with sale prices such as $525,000 for a two-bedroom of under 800 square feet to more than $1.25 million for a newly constructed, two-story four-bedroom. Home styles in Lennox include midcentury bungalows, often with porches and large front windows. One-story homes are prevalent. You may see Spanish-style architecture, including stucco exteriors, archways and clay tile roofing. Lennox also has apartments available. Jose Jaime, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Service, recommends Lennox Park. "It's in walking distance from most homes, and is family oriented," he says. A social hub for the community, the park has more than five acres of space and plenty of outdoor amenities, including sports areas and a swimming pool. Aerobics, teen club, after-school programs, and senior luncheons are just a few of the park's recreational offerings. Annual events include the Hispanic Heritage Festival and the week-long Cinco de Mayo Celebration. About Cinco de Mayo, Jaime says, "It's packed. It lasts for a week and all the people from the Lennox area and neighboring cities are there." Kids in the neighborhood may attend public schools in the Lennox School District, including Buford Elementary, one of two elementary schools in the district to offer dual language with English/Spanish curriculum. Students can continue their bilingual progress at Lennox Middle School. The school has a wide array of sports opportunities, including volleyball, basketball, and intramurals at lunchtime. For extracurricular fun, students can engage in Pokémon club, engineering club and games club. At the secondary level, Ánimo Leadership Charter High School is free to attend, with seven competitive sports teams and multiple clubs, including drama, dance and art. Yearly field trips to local universities kickstart students' college readiness. There are quite a few neighborhood markets in Lennox, like Numero Uno Market and La Mexcla Market. A small shopping plaza provides necessities like phone services and a dental clinic. For a bite to eat, check out one of the eateries in the neighborhood. Burgers, Mexican food and seafood options provide variety, depending on what you're in the mood for. And for a sweet treat, Lennox has a couple of doughnut shops. Rose Doughnuts is a tasty choice, whether you like toppings like sprinkles and coconut flakes or jelly filled. Jaime also emphasizes Lennox's convenient location, close to SoFi Stadium and shopping in Torrance at the South Bay Galleria. For a visit to the shore, he says, "Redondo Beach is very popular; many people from the area go there and to Manhattan Beach. Some people like to go to Santa Monica Promenade for the activities." The Promenade is a draw for foodies and shoppers alike, with over 80 stores and plenty of restaurants. Besides the close beaches, Lennox has other enticing amenities nearby. It's only a few miles from LAX and multiple Inglewood sites, including the Kia Forum indoor arena, the SoFi Stadium, which attracts huge crowds for games and concerts, and the Intuit Dome, which will be the home of the Los Angeles Clippers. Convenient for commuters, Lennox has highways on two sides, with Interstate 405 running along the west side and Interstate 105 along the south. Whichever way you turn in Lennox — beachward, toward Downtown LA, or into the sky on an international flight, this South Bay neighborhood has plenty of benefits.

On quiet, tree-lined streets, amid an array of well-kept established homes, is Inglewood Knolls, a small residential neighborhood tucked away among the communities of central Los Angeles. Surrounded by all the amenities of urban life, it nevertheless maintains a peaceful exclusivity. “Homes don’t come on the market often. People come here and they stay,” says Monica King, a Realtor with Bishop Realty based in neighboring Hawthorne. “It’s a stable community, and people like stability. They like knowing their neighbors.” The walkable neighborhood, which is notched into the southwest corner of Inglewood, features a collection of midcentury homes built primarily during a post-World War II construction boom. Standard features include private driveways that lead to spacious backyards with room for amenities such as pools and ADUs, or accessory dwelling units. Typically in California, homes are built closely together, but Inglewood Knolls offers wider lots with larger yards, many of which feature custom landscaping and complement the many trees that give the neighborhood a suburban feel. Multi-level additions, which increase square footage and home values, stand out among the established homes. Prices range from the low $700,000s to the high $800,000s. Inglewood Knolls’ youngest students can walk to school at Century Park Elementary, conveniently located in the neighborhood. Older students can attend Animo Legacy Middle School, a public charter institution, and Washington Preparatory High School, which features a well-established STEAM magnet program that began in the early 1980s. While the neighborhood is tranquil, it is also convenient. “It’s very centrally located,” says King. “There are a lot of shops and restaurants nearby, and it’s accessible to so many things. Inglewood has always been a nice community, but it’s really up-and-coming. You’re near SoFi Stadium, the casino and The Forum. There’s a lot going on in Inglewood.” The activity is concentrated at Hollywood Park, a sprawling entertainment complex about 2 miles away. SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, is the centerpiece, but many other attractions are available. American Airlines Plaza is an outdoor gathering place open year-round. The nearby YouTube Theater hosts regular concerts and other performances in an intimate setting. Hollywood Park Casino is a premier destination for card players. The Forum, adjacent to SoFi, regularly hosts the biggest acts in music. The closest traditional green space is Center Park, where kids can take advantage of the playground and adults can relax amid the trees. Several retail and dining options can be found in and around the neighborhood. The Crenshaw Shopping Center is located on the neighborhood’s south side, and the Crenshaw Imperial Plaza is located across the street in South Inglewood. Residents can stock up on essentials at Superior Grocers without leaving the neighborhood and eat at a variety of nearby restaurants. Popular eateries include Brolly Hut, which has been serving up traditional diner fare in an iconic building for more than 50 years. Residents have access to multiple bus stops on streets surrounding the neighborhood. In addition, Interstate 105 is about a mile south of the neighborhood, and Interstate 110 is not much farther away to the east.