Los Angeles Living

This is is the first part of a 7-part series on great places to live in L.A. starting with Silver Lake/Echo Park.

SILVER LAKE, (90039, 90026, and parts of 90029 and 90027) east of the Hollywood Hills, is a mix of socioeconomic groups and diverse cultures. It houses some of the famous mid-century modern achitecture in the country, Richard Neutra having designed many area homes.

Silver Lake was originally named "Ivanhoe" after the reservoir in the center, and many of the streets are named for characters in the Walter Scott novel, or carry British names. The upper section of the lake is still named "Ivanhoe" and the lower section "Silver Lake".

The area has spectacular views,many trendy restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops and has been the center of the indie and alternative rock scene, and because of the latter, Silver Lake has been compared to Williamsburg, New York.

ECHO PARK, (primarily 90026) listed every year as one of the top 10 growing neighborhoods in the U.S. Founded in the 19th century. It's central attraction is the reservoir in what is the original Echo Park, so named because the workers building it heard their voices echoing off the surrounding hills.

Once the poor man's Silver Lake, Echo Park is fast joining its wealthier neighbor to the west in competition to house one of the most diverse populations in the country. Its proximity to Downtown L.A. with its undulating hills, spectacular views and still affordable housing make it a place well worth considering making your home.

Such notable films as Chinatown, Echo Park, the original The War of the Worlds, T.V. series such as Gilligan's Island, and Charmed were shot in Echo Park, and the list of the rich and famous who have lived there and still do is immense. 

Probably the most famous neighbor is Dodgers Stadium in Elysian Park, but other attractions include Echo Park  Lake, with its picnicking and paddle-boating visitors, the annual Lotus Festival, and Cuban Festival celebrating the birth of José  Martí the famous Cuban poet of whom there is a statue in the park.

There are many coffee houses, restaurants, art galleries unique to the area.

Silver Lake and Echo Park are in the Los Angeles Unified School District where you can search for a school by address.

Search homes for sale in Silver Lake - Echo Park, Los Angeles.

Some useful local links are:

L.A. City Council District 13

Echo Park Chamber of Commerce

Photos of Echo Park

Historic Echo Park

About Silver Lake

Silver Lake Neighborhood Council