For a decade, the narrative was always the same: the Westside was “prime,” the Eastside was “up-and-coming.”
But the data has officially flipped the script.

In 2025, the Eastside isn’t up-and-coming.
The Eastside is the moment.

Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Echo Park, and Atwater Village continue to outperform many Westside neighborhoods — even outperforming Pasadena in certain micro-segments.

Why? Culture. Character. Creativity. Walkability.
And most importantly: migration trends and demand velocity.

Let’s break down why the Eastside is winning — and where buyers should focus now.

1. Appreciation Doesn’t Lie — The Eastside Is the Growth Engine

Over the past 12 months:

• Silver Lake: +6.4%

• Los Feliz: +7.1%

• Highland Park: +8.3%

• Glassell Park: +9.2% (!!)

• Echo Park: +6.7%

Compare that with:

• Santa Monica: +2.1%

• Brentwood: +1.4%

• Venice: +1.8%

Buyers want neighborhoods with identity.
Neighborhoods with story.

And Eastside architecture delivers:

• 1920s Spanish Revivals

• Mid-century gems

• Restored Craftsmans

• Industrial lofts

• Hillside hideaways with views

People aren’t buying square footage.
They’re buying feeling.

2. Millennials & Creative Professionals Are Driving the Market

Buyers in their late 20s to mid-40s — tech workers, founders, designers, content creators — want:

• Walkability

• Community

• Cafés + culture

• Character architecture

• Shorter commutes to DTLA, Burbank studios, and Pasadena tech clusters

The Westside used to hold that advantage — but traffic has eroded it.

Meanwhile, the Eastside offers lifestyle density that feels like Brooklyn, Austin, and Portland — all rolled into LA sunshine.

3. Inventory Is Limited — and That Fuels Momentum

The biggest driver? Scarcity.

Eastside neighborhoods were built decades ago with tightly preserved architectural fabric.
That means:

• Few teardown opportunities

• Limited new construction

• Strict zoning

• Small supply + strong demand = appreciation

Highland Park now averages just 35–45 active listings at any given time.
Silver Lake? Even less.

Meanwhile, Venice often has over 100.

Scarcity creates stability.

4. Migration From the Westside → Eastside Is the Quiet Trend of 2025

Families who once defaulted to Santa Monica or Westwood are now choosing:

• Los Feliz for school stability + architecture

• Silver Lake for creative culture

• Atwater Village for community vibe

• Highland Park for affordability with upside

• Glassell Park for long-term value

Home offices, remote work, and hybrid schedules have made lifestyle > location.

5. The Pasadena Connection

Here’s where your world blends with the Eastside beautifully:

Eastside buyers often graduate into Pasadena.
They outgrow condos or tight urban homes and step into:

• Madison Heights

• Bungalow Heaven

• San Rafael Hills

• Chapman Woods

• Linda Vista

The migration flow is Eastside → Pasadena.

That’s why Pasadena stays insulated:
It’s the next chapter for Eastside buyers stepping into family life.

FAQ

Q: Is the Eastside still competitive?
A: Yes — but smart December buyers gain leverage.

Q: Will Eastside appreciation continue in 2025?
A: Almost certainly, due to demand and limited supply.

Explore Eastside + Pasadena cross-market strategy with Jason Bergman – The Agency Pasadena.