Friendly Hills - Whittier's Most Exclusive Address

by Orlando Garcia

Friendly Hills is the name that comes up when buyers ask where the money is in Whittier. It's a hillside neighborhood built mostly in the 1950s and '60s, with newer construction filling in as older homes get replaced, and it carries a reputation that's earned rather than marketed.

What makes it different

Architecture here runs Mediterranean, Craftsman, ranch, and contemporary, often on the same block. Prices range from around $1.2 million up past $3 million, with a median sale price near $1.465 million over the last year. Two gated enclaves sit inside the larger neighborhood: Friendly Hills Estates, which runs 24-hour guard service, and Friendly Woods, a tight cluster of just 36 homes with a shared pool, spa, and tennis court. The Friendly Hills Country Club adds private golf, tennis, pickleball, and swimming for residents who want country club life without leaving the neighborhood.

What buyers should know

Homes in Friendly Hills tend to stay in families for a long time, which means inventory here is thinner and more unpredictable than in the rest of Whittier. When something comes up, it doesn't sit. Crime rates run lower than the national average, which is part of what buyers are actually paying for along with the space, the privacy, and the schools.

Who it's for

Move-up buyers who've outgrown a starter Whittier home. Buyers relocating from more expensive parts of LA County who want more house and more privacy for the same money. Anyone who wants the country club lifestyle built into their zip code instead of a separate membership across town.

If Friendly Hills is where your search is headed, let's talk about what's realistic for your budget before you fall in love with a listing that's priced for a bidding war.