East Whittier

East Whittier is a neighborhood where tranquil suburban living comes without sacrificing access to what the nearby cities of Los Angeles and Anaheim have to offer. However, this unincorporated community’s convenient location is just the tip of the iceberg. The amenities and relative value you’ll also find here add to East Whittier’s appeal. “I think the primary factors that draw people to East Whittier City are how good the schools are and how affordable it is,” says local Realtor Willie Garcia of RE/MAX Classic Real Estate. “You can get more square footage and more land for your money here than you can in Orange County or LA.”

The residential blocks of East Whittier have a cohesive look thanks to the neighborhood’s collection of handsome homes. Most houses here date back to the mid-20th century, many of them single-story ramblers with gabled roofs and attached garages. These homes are roomy too, most of them well over 1,000 square feet and some of them pushing 2,000.

East Whittier’s homes fill lots that are usually between 6,000 and 7,000 square feet, and well-manicured lawns are the norm around the neighborhood. The properties in East Whittier line wide streets, that come complete with smooth sidewalks. Many houses here sell for prices in the $800,000s, and it’s not uncommon for a home to last less than two weeks on the market.

The school system a child may enter here depends on where in East Whittier they may live, either the East Whittier City School District or the Lowell Joint School District. Those on the community's west side are part of the East Whittier City School District and can start at Scott Avenue Elementary for kindergarten to fifth grade, before moving on to Granada Middle for Grades 6 to 8. The teachers at both of these schools boast A ratings on Niche.

Children on the east side of East Whittier are covered by the Lowell Joint School District and can go to Meadow Green Elementary for kindergarten to sixth grade. Fourth through sixth graders at Meadow Green can hone their leadership skills in the school’s Peer Assistant Leadership Program, which includes community service opportunities. Students can progress from Meadow Green to Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate for Grades 7 and 8, where there’s a wide range of elective classes, including robotics and music production.

Students progressing from Granada Middle can attend La Serna High for Grades 9 to 12, part of the Whittier Union High School District. La Serna features multiple academies to help students hone skills they can take into their future careers, including a Green and Clean Business Academy, Film and Media Academy and Sports Careers Academy. Those graduating from Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate can go to La Habra High, in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. La Habra has its own academies, like the Forensics Police and Fire Academy and the Marketing and Business Academy.

East Whittier is mostly residential outside of the schools here, but a handful of restaurants dot the area, convenient for a quick bite to eat. One well-liked spot is La Casa Del Cocinero, particularly for its margaritas. Sushi lovers will like that there’s a location of the chain sushiholic in the same shopping center, Green Hills Plaza. Residents can head just down Imperial Highway for grocery and retail needs, too. There’s a Smart & Final Extra! grocery store, Walmart Supercenter and a Lowe’s all in the vicinity.

When it’s time to relax and enjoy some outdoor time, East Whittier residents can look no further than the 26-acre La Mirada Creek Park. This is a popular place for leisurely strolls and jogs, thanks in part to the serene, rolling terrain here. The park features an amphitheater as well and serves as home to the annual Stroll in the Park event every July, with live music and food.

Those in East Whittier who want to head to L.A. or Anaheim have quick access to Interstate 5 — the commute to LA is about 20 miles north and the commute to Anaheim is roughly 11 miles south. It’s a benefit of a neighborhood that stands tall on its own, too, for multiple reasons.

Written By

Wayne Epps Jr.

Photography Contributed By

Michael Rutt

Video By

Stewart Taveras