Los Angeles County
Whittier Homes for Sale
Whittier was founded by Quakers in 1887 and it still has the bones of a real town: Uptown Whittier, a walkable grid of early-twentieth-century storefronts along Greenleaf Avenue and Philadelphia Street, with Whittier College a few blocks up the hill. That combination — a historic downtown, a college and the Puente Hills rising directly behind it — sets Whittier apart from the flat post-war grid of the cities to its south and west.
The housing follows the history. Around Uptown and the college the streets are lined with Craftsman and Spanish bungalows from the 1910s through the 30s, many restored; the hillside neighborhoods above them, and Friendly Hills to the east, carry larger mid-century and custom homes on sloping lots with views; and East Whittier, where Placid Drive sits, is the 1950s–60s ranch-tract city that most families land in — single-story homes on quiet streets between Whittier Boulevard and the hills.
Because Whittier is large and older, its schools are split across several districts by address: the Whittier City School District and the East Whittier City School District at the elementary and middle levels, with the Whittier Union High School District beyond. The Greenway Trail — a former rail line converted to a paved path — runs across the city, and Turnbull Canyon and the Puente Hills preserve trails start at the top of the residential streets. The 605 runs along the west edge and the 60 crosses the north.
Ismael Chavez closed a home in Whittier on Placid Drive in 2025, and the team works it together with La Mirada and La Habra just to the south.
At a glance
- Vibe
- Historic college town with a walkable Uptown; hillside above, ranch tracts to the east
- Housing
- Craftsman and Spanish bungalows near Uptown; mid-century and custom hillside homes above it and in Friendly Hills; 1950s–60s single-story ranch tracts across East Whittier
- Location
- Southeast Los Angeles County under the Puente Hills, bordered by Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, La Mirada, La Habra and La Habra Heights
- Getting around
- The 605 on the west edge, the 60 across the north; Whittier Boulevard, Beverly Boulevard and Colima Road
- Known for
- Uptown Whittier, Whittier College, the Greenway Trail, Turnbull Canyon and the Puente Hills, Friendly Hills
Lifestyle
Uptown on a Friday night — Greenleaf Avenue's restaurants, the Friday farmers market and the old storefronts — plus Whittier College events a few blocks up the hill.
The Greenway Trail for a flat ride across town, Turnbull Canyon and the Puente Hills trails for the climb, and Penn Park and Michigan Park for weekends.
Housing
Near Uptown and the college the stock is the oldest in our map: Craftsman and Spanish bungalows from the 1910s–30s on tree-lined streets, many restored with care. The hillside streets above them, and Friendly Hills on the east side, hold larger mid-century and custom homes on sloping lots with views over the basin.
East Whittier is the volume of the market: 1950s–60s single-story ranch homes on quiet tract streets like Placid Drive, three bedrooms and two baths as built, with real yards and attached garages.
Why we love it
Our 2025 closing on Placid Drive is in the ledger — a classic East Whittier ranch.
Uptown is one of the few genuinely walkable historic downtowns in the southeast county.
The hills are right there: trails start where the streets end.
Questions we get about Whittier
- What are the schools like in Whittier?
Whittier is split by address among the Whittier City School District and the East Whittier City School District at the elementary and middle levels, with the Whittier Union High School District for high school. Whittier College and Rio Hondo College are both in or beside the city.
- What types of homes are available in Whittier?
Craftsman and Spanish bungalows near Uptown, mid-century and custom hillside homes above it and in Friendly Hills, and 1950s–60s single-story ranch tracts across East Whittier, plus condominiums near the boulevards.
- Which neighborhoods are close to Whittier?
Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, La Mirada, La Habra and La Habra Heights. The 605 runs along the west edge and the 60 across the north.
- Who on the team knows Whittier best?
Ismael Chavez works Whittier regularly. Call or text (714) 328-4776 and we'll connect you with the team member who knows it street by street.
Recent activity in Whittier
Closed by The Chavez Team in this city — a record, not a listings feed.
Whittier · Los Angeles County
$763,000Sold · April 2025
13721 Placid Dr
3 BD · 2 BA · 1,220 SQ FT
Agent Ismael Chavez
$763,000
