A central LA city known for being one of the first postwar planned communities
Famous for being one of the first midcentury suburbs, Lakewood was dubbed “Tomorrow’s City Today.” Affordable ranch-style homes spread at an exponential rate. Over three years, the land went from lima bean fields to a residential community catering to the middle class and World War II veterans. In 1954, it also became the country’s first “contract city,” contracting Los Angeles County to do its municipal services. Now Lakewood is home to approximately 78,000 people, many of whom commute to downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim. The city retains much of its suburban appeal, with the same ranch-style homes and contracted services. “A lot of people move back to where they grew up because of the family atmosphere and multigenerations. It's just a good city for young families. It’s a great place to live,” says Realtor Debra Van Leeuwen, who works with Home Base Realty and has over two decades of experience in the area.
Lakewood has many ranch style homes as well as larger custom homes in its neighborhoods.
Lakewood is famous for being one of the first midcentury suburbs in the area.
Lakewood has a popular pedestrian walkway with a sign that reads "Times Change Values Don't.
Lakewood has affordable ranch style homes that were built in the midcentury.
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Midcentury ranch-style homes in Lakewood
Lakewood was designed to be primarily residential, and over 85% of the city’s housing is single-family homes. With retail on its main thoroughfares, the city is otherwise composed of neighborhoods in a loose grid, meant to decrease through traffic without eliminating the convenience. Some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods are Lakewood Mutual and Mayfair, both offering ranch-style homes from the postwar years. The city center also appeals to many. “Lakewood Park is one of the most desirable areas of Lakewood and located in the heart of Lakewood,” Van Leeuwen says. The houses often come with driveways, detached garages and lawns with enough space for garden beds. The city’s median sales price is $850,000, with homes on the market for an average of 23 days, lower than the national average of 44 days. Although Lakewood’s inventory is on the low side, the market is becoming more balanced. “It's becoming more of a normal market, not a buyer's market and not a seller's market,” Van Leeuwen says.
One of Lakewoods most popular neighborhoods is Lakewood Mutual with unique large homes.
Lakewood has a variety of home styles with great shopping amenities like Lakewood Center.
Lakewood Park is one of the most desirable areas of Lakewood with stunning homes.
Lakewood was designed to be primarily residential with the majority single family homes.
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The Lakewood Center, Lakewood Marketplace and LBX Long Beach Exchange
One of America’s first indoor malls, the Lakewood Center has been the city’s main retail hub since 1952. Today it houses over 200 shops and services in the heart of town, including familiar names like Macy’s and H&M. The mall also offers a food court and entertainment at Round1 Bowling & Arcade. There are strip malls throughout the city; centrally located Lakewood Marketplace is one of the largest, with a supermarket and local restaurants. On the southern edge of Lakewood, LBX Long Beach Exchange Retail is an open-air hangar with a diverse food court, where visitors can find indoor and outdoor seating.
Paramount locals can head over to Round 1 for bowling and family fun games.
Head into Dale's Dinner for that nostalgic 1950's dinner feel.
Lakewood Center Mall has great options for dining at its food court.
Caesar's Mongolian BBQ is a popular restaurant among the locals.
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Community events, including the Civic Center Block Party
Right next to the Lakewood Center, the annual Civic Center Block Party kicks off the summertime each June. “I’d say it’s the biggest event in the city,” Van Leeuwen says. It features a Family Fun Zone, with activities for kids, plus live music and a food court. The night ends with a bang — a professional fireworks show. At the Tree Lighting in December, locals can see the city’s decorated 24-foot-tree in the Civic Center Plaza. The celebration includes carolers, pictures with Santa and artificial snow. The Lakewood Farmers Market starts every Saturday morning, with vendors for fresh produce and crafts.
Stroll and take in the sights and aromas of the Lakewood Farmers Market.
Each year, the Pan Am Fiesta returns Thursday - Sunday over Mothers Day weekend to Mayfair Park.
The Fiesta is Lakewood’s longest-running community event, dating back to the mid-1940s.
Specialist growers bring the freshest fare to the Lakewood Farmers Market.
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Well-rated Long Beach Unified public schools
The city is served by the Long Beach Unified School District, which has an A rating on Niche. It earns an A-plus in college prep, plus A ratings in diversity and teachers. Nine of its schools have won the Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon award. With approximately 66,000 students, the district’s student-teacher ratio is 24-to-1. Nearby higher education options include Fremont University in Cerritos and California State University, Long Beach.
Lakewood High School entrance welcomes all it's students.
Cleveland Elementary serves students in grades K-5.
Fremont University is a great option for after highschool in Lakewood.
Riley Elementary School in the
Lakewood neighborhood serves grades K-5.
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Mayfair Park and more outdoor recreation
As one of the country’s premier planned communities, Lakewood offers strategically placed parks — one per neighborhood, with 10 major parks in total. The most popular is Mayfair Park, about 18 acres of outdoor activities in the middle of the city. It has a public pool as well as sports facilities like ballfields and a basketball court. On the west side of Lakewood, Bolivar Park also has a swimming pool, plus gazebo picnic areas. Its playground features a zip line and double swings that allow parents to swing with their children. The Lakewood Golf Course, in the southwest part of the city, is a public 18-hole course beside a Mediterranean clubhouse. Good weather means residents can be outdoors most of the year. The area has warm summers and mild winters.
Lakewoods Bolivar Park has a popular zip line that attracts many residents.
Lakewood Golf Course brings golfers from around the area with its great course.
Mayfair Park is about 18 acres of outdoor activities
Palms Park and Community Center is a great park to get in on a game of hoops.
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A 20-mile drive to downtown LA
In car-dependent Lakewood, most residents commute to work with nearby highways: interstates 605 and 405, plus state routes 91 and 19. Via Interstate 710, downtown Los Angeles is about 20 miles away, while downtown Long Beach is about 10 miles away. Some residents work at major employers nearby, including the UCI Health – Lakewood, the Lakewood city government and Long Beach Unified public schools. For public transportation, there are Long Beach Transit and Metro bus stops throughout the community. Long Beach Airport is only 3 miles from Lakewood, while the Los Angeles International Airport is about 20 miles away.
Lakewood crime rates
According to data from the FBI, the violent crime rate in Lakewood is lower than to the state and national rates. Rhe property crime rate is lower than the state rate, too, but higher than the national rate. The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station has programs like vacation checks and civilian volunteering to help decrease crime.
On average, homes in Lakewood, CA sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Lakewood, CA over the last 12 months is $765,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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