$1,662,563Average Value$575Average Price per Sq Ft15Homes For Sale
Like stepping into the American Dream
Every bit as inviting as it sounds, Friendly Hills is a peaceful community of high-end character homes on the outskirts of Whittier. “A buyer recently told me that being in the neighborhood felt like stepping into the American Dream,” says e-Homes Realtor Jordan Partida, who grew up in the area. “There are large front lawns, well-maintained landscaping, tree-lined streets, different custom homes and families walking their dogs. It’s a very movie-like setting.”
Friendly Hills is an upscale neighborhood located in the city of Whittier, California.
Friendly Hills has a reputation as an affluent and desirable place to live.
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Custom homes with vintage and contemporary builds
The homes in Friendly Hills are almost entirely single-family, with very few multifamily options. "The nice thing is that you're not going to find two of the same thing. You have a large variety, including Mediterranean, Craftsman, ranch-style midcentury, and then more contemporary builds," Partida says. "A few investors have come in to tear down older homes, so we're starting to see some newer builds." Homes were built out in the 1950s and '60s, with a heavy emphasis on the ranch style. The early builds were modest three bedrooms, but the more modern offerings can be expansive. "Inventory is always light here because it's such an exclusive neighborhood. It's small and tough to get into in terms of affordability, so you see many homes stay in the family," Partida says. Homes range in price from around $1.2 million to over $3 million, though most homes list between $1.7 and $2.2 million. Within the larger Friendly Hills neighborhood, Friendly Hills Estates is a higher-end community with a 24-hour guard station.
Homes in Friendly Hills though older are well maintained.
Find homes of all sizes to fit you needs in Friendly Hills.
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Hiking and biking at dog-friendly Murphy Park Ranch
Outdoor access is a big selling point for Friendly Hills, which has a robust community park and plenty of places to exercise. "There are a lot of hiking and biking trails in Whittier. The most frequented trails are in Murphy Ranch Park, which is within walking distance for many people in the neighborhood," Partida says. Tucked away in a residential area surrounded by beautiful shade trees, the park is popular with locals and visitors and is known for a lot of foot traffic. There is a moderately challenging 3.5-mile out-and-back loop along the Arroyo San Miguel Trail, which, unlike Murphy Park, does not allow dogs. "The Friendly Hills Country Club is an attraction to the residents who live nearby. Many have private access to the club," Partida says. In operation since 1968, it's a high-end private golf course with family-friendly amenities like tennis, pickleball and swimming.
Murphy Ranch Park is the nearest natural area of Friendly Hills.
Stroll underneath lush green trees along the trails near Friendly Hills.
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Buyers seeking out the school districts
The East Whittier City Elementary School district is graded B-plus by Niche, while the Whittier Union High School District gets an A. “Many buyers move to Friendly Hills specifically because of the schools. They are some of the best in the city,” Partida says. Murphy Ranch Elementary is graded A-minus by Niche, and East Whitter Middle gets a B-plus. Graded A by Niche, but with an A-plus grade for its teachers, La Serna High School is known for robust athletic programs. In December 2023, the football team won their division’s state championship. The water polo teams are also highly competitive.
Murphy Ranch Elementary School in the city of Whittier.
La Serna High School, home of the Lancers.
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Serious fire risk in parts of the neighborhood
Due to its location along the Puente Hills and the green space surrounding the neighborhood, there is a substantial fire risk for many properties in Friendly Hills. Securing fire insurance is becoming more costly as insurers continue to pull out of the California market.
A bird's eye view of Anaconda Park in Whittier.
A side hiking trail at Murphy Ranch Park in Whittier.
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No direct highway access means longer commute times
Friendly Hills does not have direct highway access. Interstate 605 is about 5 miles west via Whittier Boulevard, also known as state Route 72. The neighborhood's other main thoroughfare is Colima Road, a four-lane road lined by bus stops with traffic lights every few blocks. For commuters, downtown Los Angeles is about 25 miles northwest, a seemingly reasonable distance that can take one to two hours during unpredictable rush hours. "Depending on where you're going, drive times can be long, which can be a determining factor in this location, but most commutes are closer to 45 minutes," Partida says. "People love this area so much that commute times are not a deal-breaker." Frequent fliers have their choice of airports — John Wayne, Los Angeles International and Hollywood Burbank are about 30 miles away, but all routes have traffic woes. The Whittier Hospital Medical Center is conveniently located within the neighborhood.
Crime is exceptionally low in Friendly Hills. The neighborhood’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, compared to 4 nationally. Property crime happens at a slightly higher rate, with a CAP score of 2, compared to 4 nationally. “This is probably the safest area in Whittier,” Partida says.
A little bridge connecting golfers to other parts of the private country club in Friendly Hills.
A small group of people waiting in Friendly Hills for the Whittier bus line to arrive.
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Grabbing a bite to eat in downtown Whittier
Primarily residential, there are some shopping and dining opportunities along Whittier Boulevard. For groceries, there's an Amazon Fresh, Trader Joe's and Ralphs within blocks of each other. Retail offerings include Target, Office Depot and others. National chain favorites like Starbucks and McDonald's are in the same area. "People going out for a meal are probably going into downtown Whittier," Partida says. "Phlight is a total standout. It's a wine bar with Spanish tapas, and every single thing on the menu is great." The venue's interior is rich, with exposed wooden beam ceilings and a warm red palette. The Chicken Koop is laidback restaurant with an inviting atmosphere and inventive lighting concepts. It has a chicken-centric menu and plenty of craft beer on tap. Guests rave about the chicken and waffles and Brussels sprouts — not necessarily together.
A shopping center with Amazon Fresh and HomeGoods sits at the southern end of Friendly Hills.
A customer walking in front of the flower display at the front of Trader Joes in Whittier.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jordan Partida,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Laurel Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Murphy Ranch Park
Picnic Area
Parking Lot
Hiking
Leffingwell Ranch Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Tennis
Michigan Park
Baseball/Softball
Grills
Picnic Area
Parnell Park
Baseball/Softball
Grills
Picnic Area
Anaconda Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Transit
Airport
Long Beach (Daugherty Field)
33 min drive
Bus
Whittier & Santa Gertrudes
Bus
Colima Rd And Mar Vista Dr N
Bus
Whittier & Gunn
Bus
Colima Rd And Whittier Blvd N
Bus
Colima Rd And Carretera Dr N
Bus
Whittier Blvd And Santa Gertrudes Ave N
Bus
Whittier Blvd And Whittwood Dr N
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Friendly Hills
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Friendly Hills Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Friendly Hills, Whittier sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Friendly Hills, Whittier over the last 12 months is $1,520,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Model Home Perfection with Designer Finishes, Paid-Off Solar & Builder Incentives! Step into elevated living with this professionally designed tri-level model townhome, where modern luxury meets thoughtful details at every turn. Fully furnished and move-in ready, this showcase residence is loaded with premium upgrades and elegant designer finishes that set it apart. The first level features a
Welcome to a rare opportunity in the prestigious Friendly Hills neighborhood of Whittier. This expansive 6,313 square foot estate blends the timeless elegance of Hollywood Regency and Neoclassical Revival architecture with tasteful modernist influences. Featuring four spacious bedrooms, six bathrooms, an expansive pool, and a separate pool house with its own bathroom, this home offers both
Welcome to 8606 Lindante. Perched above the 4th hole of Friendly Hills Country Club this home has fantastic golf course and city lights views. House has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with 3,003 sq feet of living space. Large living spaces open up to a wide backyard with plenty of room for a pool, outdoor bbq area and/ or adu. Lot size is 11,705 sq ft. 3 car garage has had an addition, bringing
Nestled on the picturesque La Vela Avenue—just half a block from the prestigious Friendly Hills neighborhood—this expansive 3,833 sq. ft. home is brimming with possibilities. Situated on a generous 14,041 sq. ft. lot, it offers five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a sparkling pool, perfect for outdoor fun and entertaining.A convenient half-circle driveway allows easy entry and exit, complemented by
Welcome to your newly renovated home at Malibu Apartments! We offer spacious 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans with brand new stainless steel appliances, new hardwood floors and carpet, quartz countertops, and updated modern fixtures and lighting. Relax by our sparkling pool and BBQ area that is perfect for the weekend. We are close to schools, Trader Joe's, shopping at the Whitwood Center, and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jordan Partida,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,905
Median Age
48
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$158,940
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$179,645
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94%
College Graduates
53.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.3%
% Population in Labor Force
52.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
13''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
33/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
13/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
