Los Angeles suburbs guide

Quick insights

• The homebuying process involves many steps such as determining your budget, getting preapproved from a lender, working with a real estate agent and conducting home inspections.
• The three largest suburbs in Los Angeles are Anaheim, Santa Ana and Riverside. Each suburb offers unique attractions such as Disneyland Resort and Santa Ana Zoo, among others.
• When buying a home, it might be a good idea to look for areas with good access to major highways, grocery stores, schools and family-friendly amenities to enhance quality of life.

Are you daydreaming of palm trees swaying outside your window, but with a touch more space for your kids and peace from the city? You may want to consider looking at homes in the Los Angeles suburbs. Here, you might find charming neighborhoods, diverse housing options like townhouses and a quieter environment that keeps you close to the action.

Exploring the Los Angeles suburbs

The greater Los Angeles area is massive and filled with tons of neighborhoods, but it’s not entirely metropolitan. Los Angeles can be an appealing option because of the additional space, quieter environment and access to the city’s amenities. The four largest Los Angeles suburbs by population are Anaheim, Santa Ana and Riverside.

• Anaheim: To many people, this suburb will be forever associated with iconic theme park Disneyland Resort, but there is so much more to this family-friendly neighborhood. Anaheim is within proximity to beaches and scenic mountains, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and weekend getaways.
• Santa Ana: History buffs can explore the downtown area which is known for its historic buildings and art galleries. The Santa Ana Zoo is a small, family-friendly zoo with a variety of animal exhibits and educational programs. Art lovers can explore the art exhibits at Bowers Museum.
• Riverside: The cost of living overall is high in Los Angeles, but Riverside is a less expensive city compared to other regions of LA. The suburban feel can be an attractive option for homebuyers seeking a quieter environment.

Each area has shopping centers, pools, golf courses and community facilities. The major shopping centers in each town are MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana and Riverside Plaza. Families can enroll their kids into aquatic programs or take a dip in the pool at the Anaheim Family YMCA. For golf enthusiasts, you can play golf at a private golf club such as Victoria Club in Riverside or a public course with 18 holes at Riverview Golf Course in Santa Ana. Each suburb offers its own amenities, providing many options for leisure.

Popular restaurants in the Los Angeles suburbs

There are several popular restaurants in the Los Angeles suburbs. The food scene is diverse, from fine dining to everyday comfort food.

• Pasadena has a wide range of cuisines including Asian, Italian, French and American. The city is home to the famous Rose Bowl Flea Market, where you can find a variety of food vendors. Maestro specializes in Italian cuisine like their osso buco. The Raymond is known for its upscale American cuisine like the truffle mac and cheese.
• Anaheim has a bustling food scene with a mix of family-friendly restaurants and trendy eateries. You can eat delicious food and enjoy rooftop views at The FIFTH Rooftop Restaurant & Bar. If you’re craving something sweet, you can check out the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop or Tortilla Jo’s.
• Santa Ana is known for its food market, food trucks and authentic Mexican restaurants. You can also find many international cuisines including Vietnamese and Korean. Taco Maria specializes in modern Mexican cuisines with standout dishes like their chorizo tostada.

Los Angeles suburbs host several food festivals and events throughout the year. The Long Beach Seafood festival is an annual event showcasing seafood offerings and entertainment. Pasadena Restaurant Week is a week-long event celebrating Pasadena’s culinary scene by participating with local restaurants to offer prix-fixe menus and discounts. Riverside Tamale Festival celebrates the beloved Mexican dish, tamales, with various tamale vendors and entertainment. Overall, the Los Angeles suburbs offer an exciting and diverse culinary scene with something to satisfy every palate.

Pros of living in the Los Angeles suburbs vs. city of Los Angeles

Living in the Los Angeles suburbs can be advantageous compared to living in the city of Los Angeles. Here are some of the benefits of living in Los Angeles suburbs:

• Spacious home and large backyards: Suburban areas often come with more living space, both indoors and outdoors. The homes and yards are typically larger, providing more room for families, pets and outdoor activities.
• Quieter environment: The suburbs tend to be quieter and less crowded compared to the city. For families and homebuyers looking for a more peaceful environment, the suburbs may be a good option for you.
• Schools and family-friendly: The suburbs tend to have highly rated schools and a range of family-friendly amenities such as parks, playgrounds and community centers.
• Access to natural beauty: The proximity to natural landscapes, parks and recreational areas can be an appealing option to individuals who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

There are different types of homes in the city and suburbs including single-family homes, townhomes and apartments. The decision to live in the Los Angeles suburbs or city depends on your personal preferences, lifestyle and priorities.

Additional considerations for first-time homebuyers

For first-time homebuyers considering the Los Angeles suburbs, you may want to look at location, proximity to major employment centers and essential services like schools and healthcare facilities. You can look for suburbs with easy access to major highways like the 405, 101 or 5 freeways. You may also want to research school districts. Evaluate community facilities, shopping centers and grocery stores for convenience in daily life. It may be a good idea to analyze the potential for future development such as planned infrastructure, new grocery stores or businesses and community initiatives.

Introduction to the homebuying process

The homebuying process in the greater Los Angeles area can be a joyful and emotional journey. From the thrill of finding your dream home to making an offer and closing, there are several steps involved in the process. Below is an overview of the homebuying process from start to finish.

• Establish your budget: Assess your financial situation and determine how much you can afford to spend on a property. Consider your income, savings, debt and credit score.
• Get preapproved from a lender: Make a list of local mortgage lenders in your area that offer different loan products and have a good reputation. Obtaining a preapproval letter can give you a clearer idea of how much you can borrow.
• Find a reliable real estate agent: You can find a real estate agent by visiting a local real estate company, asking your personal network for referrals or researching different agents.
• House hunting: Start searching for homes in different neighborhoods, attend open houses, schedule private property showings and look at listings online. 
• Make a compelling offer: Once you find your dream home, speak with your real estate agent to make an offer. You can increase your earnest money deposit to make your offer stand out. 
• Conduct inspections: If the seller accepts your offer, hire a professional home inspector to evaluate the safety of the home.
• Secure financing: After inspections, complete the mortgage application to kickstart the underwriting process. During this process, the mortgage lender may ask for additional documentation to make a final decision.
• Get homeowners insurance: Most mortgage lenders may require you to purchase homeowners' insurance as a condition of giving you the loan.
• Close the deal: Once your loan has been approved, you will proceed to the final stage of the process. This involves signing paperwork and legal documents, paying closing costs and transferring ownership of the property. Congratulations, you’re a new homeowner!

Throughout the homebuying process, it can be beneficial to stay organized, communicate openly with your real estate agent and seek guidance from your mortgage lender to make a confident decision.

Understanding 30-year fixed mortgages

One of the most common loan options in the Los Angeles suburbs is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a loan that must be paid off completely in 30 years. This means as the borrower you are required to make monthly mortgage payments for 30 years. Most 30-year mortgages are fixed rate, meaning that the interest rate and monthly payments remain the same for as long as you keep the mortgage. A portion of your mortgage payment will go toward paying down the balance of the loan (the principal), interest, escrow and mortgage insurance.

The benefits of choosing a 30-year fixed mortgage include:

• Lower monthly payments: A 30-year mortgage is stretched out over 30 years instead of 15, which is twice as long, resulting in lower monthly mortgage payments.
• Predictable monthly payments: Your monthly payment will remain the same because the interest rate is fixed.
• Greater Flexibility: You can make extra payments to pay off the loan faster or free up cash for savings and other priorities.

The drawbacks of choosing a 30-year mortgage include:

• Higher interest rates: Since the repayment schedule is spread over a longer time, lenders may charge higher interest rates.
• More interest paid: Committing to making payments over 30 years means you will pay much more in interest over the life of the loan.
• Slow home equity growth: In the first few years of your mortgage, only a small portion of your monthly payment will go toward the principal. It may take longer to build equity.

30-year fixed mortgages can be a good option for homebuyers looking to lock in a fixed interest rate and potentially lower monthly payments. When deciding on a mortgage term, consider factors like your financial goals, budget and long-term plans.

Conclusion

As a first-time homebuyer looking for a home in the Los Angeles suburbs, it can be beneficial to consider the financial investment, location, community and accessible amenities. At this stage, it's recommended that you take some time and try to identify what matters most to you in a home and community and work with a reputable real estate agent and California mortgage lender to help you navigate the process.