West Athens is an up-and-coming LA suburb with great commuting options
Athens is a suburban community situated between Central LA and the South Bay Cities. that offers easy commuting and convenient shopping. Once best known as the stomping grounds of a young O'Shea Jackson Sr., a.k.a. Ice Cube, and the filming location for the hit movie Friday, today West Athens stands out for its genuine sense of community and rapidly rising quality of life. "It's a good neighborhood, there are a lot of good schools in the area, and the prices are fairer than you're going to find anywhere else in Hawthorne," according to local Realtor Steve Fingerhut.
West Athens is a suburban community situated between Central LA and the South Bay Cities.
West Athens is prized for its commutability and proximity to major South Bay employers.
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Midcentury ranch-style homes and a selection of 2-story homes as well
Housing options in West Athens range from townhouses and apartment complexes to mid-century ranch-style homes. There's also a sizeable selection of two-story homes — rare for the area — which are mostly concentrated just north of 120th Street. The area was first developed in the 1940s, and the vast majority of properties here were built between 1940 and 1970, though many have undergone substantial renovations in recent decades. Townhouses generally sell for between $700,000 and $8000,000, while single-family homes go for $800,000 to $1 million. Multi-unit properties also regularly pop up for sale in the area as well.
The residential streets of West Athens are lined with midcentury ranch style homes with small front yards.
West Athens’s housing inventory is mostly made up of midcentury ranch-style homes, along with a selection of two-story properties
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Easy access to multiple interstates, LAX and the Metro C Line
The community's location makes both commuting and shopping a breeze. It's right next to Interstates 105 and 110, allowing a simple and direct commute to Downtown LA, Long Beach, and most of the South Bay area. LAX is particularly easy to get to — less than 7 miles away on the 105. And if residents don't feel like dealing with airport parking, they can always jump on the Metro C Line, which has a stop in West Athens, and take it straight to the airport. There are also a number of bus routes serving the area, with stops concentrated along Western Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard, the area's major thoroughfares.
Restaurants on El Segundo and shopping in nearby Hawthorne
Retail in West Athens is concentrated along the southern El Segundo Boulevard, the area's main commercial corridor. The major exception to this is the local Ralph's supermarket, which is located on the north side, on Vermont Avenue. Most residents are just a mile or two away from big box shopping in Hawthorne, including Costco and Lowe's.
As for dining options, locals can enjoy top-notch local Mexican restaurants like El Cielo, or grab some classic LA-style takeout at longstanding burger and pastrami joint Steven's Burgers. They can also head a half-mile West on El Segundo and check out the many popular breweries and eateries surrounding the SpaceX campus — the neighborhood is just half a mile away from the major aerospace employer.
Stop by Ralph's in West Athens for all of your grocery essentials.
My Panecito is specializing in exquisite Mexican sweet bread, gourmet cakes and seasonal treats.
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Highly rated high school on the local community college campus
While West Athens isn't technically part of the city of Los Angeles, it's served by the Los Angeles Unified School District, and there are several public and charter schools serving the area. West Athens Elementary School has a C-plus on Niche, while Henry Clay Middle School on the west side of West Athens was recently converted to Legacy Charter Middle School and hasn't yet released performance data. Middle College High School is a particular standout, with an A-grade on Niche. The alternative high school is located on the Los Angeles Southwest College campus on the north side of West Athens, and its students are eligible to take certain college-level courses at LASC. Los Angeles Southwest College itself plays a big role in the community. Separated from the rest of West Athens by the I-105, the community college is both a major local employer and a great place to catch a football or soccer game.
LASC is both a major employer in the community and a popular spot to catch football and soccer games.
West Athens Elementary School has an overall rating of C+ from Niche.
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Home to the Chester Washington Golf Course
There are a few nicely maintained green spaces in the neighborhood, including Helen Keller Park, which features basketball courts, athletic fields and a modern playground. Golfers can visit West Athens' own Chester Washington Golf Course, which is home to a William Bell-designed 18-hole course and driving range. It's also just a 10-mile drive from the neighborhood to El Segundo Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Education
There are a few nicely maintained green spaces in the neighborhood, including Helen Keller Park, which features basketball courts, athletic fields and a modern playground.
Golfers can visit West Athens' own Chester Washington Golf Course, which is home to a William Bell-designed 18-hole course and driving range.
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Written By
Andrew Moreno
Photography Contributed By
Josh Cavallo
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rudy Kusuma,
an experienced agent in this area.
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