I keep my ears to the ground for “next hot neighborhoods”, so I was pretty excited to read a long Vanity Fair profile about a section of Western Avenue that is suddenly an art hot spot.

 

Art galleries and studios can be indicators of a changing neighborhood - they seek out large, cheap spaces and do a minimal build-out. They are usually first movers into a vibey area.

 

But…they are not always welcome. A much-covered anti-gentrification movement ran a bunch of art galleries out of Boyle Heights a few years ago.

 

The narrative can definitely feel problematic: “Art Galleries Are Not Reviving a “Desolate” LA Neighborhood” justly points out that this stretch of Western is already dense and diverse and full of families who would rather not move, thank you very much.

 

But there's an exciting sense of discovery as a neighborhood shifts, and there's home equity to be gained if you get in early, as West Adams home-owners can tell you.

 

What's the best way to discover these areas first?

 

Be a real estate hobbyist. Don't just look at houses. Keep up with development news - Urbanize LA and good email newsletters like the Eastsider keep me apprised of where commercial and retail money is going.

 

Believe the hype. It's not too late by the time a hot area is mainstream news. West Adams was named Neighborhood of the Year by Curbed in 2015. Prices are way up, way up since then. 

 

And most of all…live where you love. The average home-owner in LA will remain in their home for 18 years, the longest in the country.

 

 

🔑 2419 Berkeley Ave, Silver Lake - Two gorgeous craftsman bungalows, complete with pool and two car garage  - $1,997,000 - Open Saturday and Sunday 2-5pm 

 

🔑 20102 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu - Beachfront Malibu traditional for under $6mil? A must see. - $5,995,000 - Open Saturday 12-3pm

 

 

 

🚧 L.A. home market stalls as signed contracts and listings decline - Low inventory and high interest rates put buyers and sellers in “stuck” mode.

🏗 I can't wait for this development on Vermont next to Barnsdall Art Park. Buh-bye to Los Feliz's ugliest strip mall.