Living in Palms, Los Angeles: A Historic Neighborhood, Populated by Millennials

A community with well-established roots in California history, Palms has become a good location for ambitious post grads and young families looking to make their home in Los Angeles. Palms provides a central hub for residents — closely located to the growing cultural center of Culver City, near freeways for commuters, and only five miles from the bustling UCLA campus.

Where is Palms?

Palms is located on the Westside of Los Angeles, south of Beverly Hills, Rancho Park and Beverlywood and just north of Culver City. Small in size, it covers only a two-square mile area marked by signs on Venice, Robertson and Palms boulevards. With over 42,500 people in that small plot of land, it is currently one of the most densely populated areas in Los Angeles County, and a favorite destination for Millennials.

History

Palms is the oldest neighborhood annexed to Los Angeles. It was founded in 1886 by three entrepreneurs who saw potential in a mostly flat and fertile parcel of land. These founders subdivided the land for sale to individual families, then transplanted 5,000 palm trees to line the streets. The individual plots for sale were designed to be large enough to host a home as well as a small yard for family gardening in order to take advantage of the fertile soil. The advertisements to Westward bound settlers proclaimed: “No cold winters. No hot summers. No saloons at The Palms.”

Lifestyle

What to Do

In general, the Palms area has a healthy community life; there are libraries, several public parks, and an organization that works to involve veterans in community events. There is even an annual “Bike Rodeo”, a community event that promotes bike safety for kids and families.

There are plenty of retail outlets on Motor Ave  – including the Anonymous LA boutique which offers everything from locally made fashion items to hats and candles – as well as larger shopping venues such as the National Sepulveda Shopping Center at 3010 Sepulveda Blvd.

 

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Where to Eat and Drink

One of the best places for simple quality food in the Palms neighborhood, The Doughroom defies the founders’ original “No saloons at the Palms” rule in the most delicious way. The Doughroom is a pizzeria that specializes in craft beer, artisanal wine, and rustic food made with local and seasonal ingredients.

 

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While high-end dining options in the neighborhood aren’t particularly diverse – they are quite plentiful in the surrounding area. If you are willing to travel to nearby Culver City, food options become much more interesting.

Moving to Palms

Real Estate Snapshot

There isn’t much land left to develop in the Palms area, but that isn’t to say that new construction and renovations to existing properties aren’t happening. In the past years several multi-unit mixed-use properties were constructed in the area, expanding the potential for population growth. Boasting many perks, apartments in Palms run for about $2,300 a month, which is less than the average rent in LA.

Transportation

Like most Los Angeles neighborhoods, travel by automobile is the most popular method of transportation throughout the area; the nearest freeways are the 405 and the I-10. However, due to the area’s high population, parking tends to be excessively congested. Most apartment buildings have limited parking spaces, and street parking becomes very competitive.

Biking is an option if work or school is close, and there’s bus transportation and rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft. Travel by rail is available through the Metro Expo Line near the intersections of Venice and Robertson Boulevards.

Schools & Employment

Schools in the area are plentiful both inside the Palms community and in nearby Culver City. There are over twenty public elementary schools and private elementary schools within the immediate area. College students who attend UCLA often choose to live in the Palms area due to the close proximity to the UC campus, which is only five miles north.

The area is home to a museum and a research institute, but there are many job opportunities in the nearby neighborhoods as well.

Looking for a vibrant place to call home? Look no further than Palms. Residents love this LA community for its lively dining and entertainment scene, walkable neighborhoods and relatively affordable housing options.

Check out more Los Angeles neighborhood guides:

Hollywood – a Vibrant LA Neighborhood with Celebrity Status
Koreatown – The Little City That Never Sleeps
Westwood – Live Large in the Center of It All
Sherman Oaks – Timeless Elegance in the Heart of the Valley
Sawtelle – A Walkable, Culture-Filled Enclave Bustling with L.A. Charm