Highland Park: The New Echo Park

Echo Park has the reputation of being one of the greatest neighborhoods in LA. It’s more affordable than Silver Lake, more uppity than Highland Park and has a central location in Los Angeles connected to four major freeways. On top of the firework spectacular over Elysian Park, the Victorian-era pocket neighborhood full of classic mansions to tour and a melting pot of culture and diversity - Echo Park was a pretty tough neighborhood to beat.

Until Highland Park stepped up it’s game.

In 2013 the real estate website, Redfin, listed Highland Park as the hottest housing market in the country. Not just Los Angeles. The country. Housing prices are on a rise, rent prices are increasing and the people who contributed to Highland Park crime are being siphoned out. Highland Park real estate has become gold and buyers and Highland Park realtors are reaping tremendous rewards.

Despite the increase in rent, Highland Park remains cheaper than both Silver Lake and Echo Park. With the glow of gentrification Highland Park has begun to attract millennials with dreams of creating their dream homes.

The improvements of Highland Park homes have started to manifest in the business districts on York Boulevard and Central Street. What used to be dollar stores and closed up shops has now transformed into streets, which constantly sprouts new bars, vintage shops and trendy cafes.

What makes Highland Park stand out from the other neighborhoods is the brooding sense of community full of people who collectively love Highland Park. The “Bohemian” vibe that once brought the community to life still thrives in undertones through street mural art and original shops.

The owners of the trendy shops live within close proximity to their stores. Once they find out that you do as well, they instantly recognize Highland Park camaraderie. This sense of community has initiated new, popular traditions like Second Saturday. This is a monthly gallery night, which has become more popular in crowds and venues than Downtown Art Walk. The Fourth of July is highly celebrated, but instead of a Fireworks show over a lake - residents put on their own display of illegal, fantastical fireworks.

Highland Park is home to Los Angeles’ largest historic district, the Highland Park-Garvanza Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. This special area is home to approximately 50 Historic-Cultural Monuments that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Unlike most areas of Los Angeles, Highland Park is still a relatively easy place to find parking - even during weekends. Furthermore Highland Park is convenient to major freeways, especially the 110, which puts Downtown Los Angeles only ten minutes way for those who need to commute to their jobs.

Although Echo Park has its own special perks, and they are more the same than not, nothing compares to the up-and-coming inertia and popularity of Highland Park. At least not now.

But who knows what neighborhood is the next up-and-comer? Only time will tell.