Resembling a small town out of a Hallmark movie, Monrovia has been a filming site for many motion pictures from “Legally Blond” to “Back to the Future Part II.” “Hundreds of movies have been filmed there,” says Nicola Speranta, owner of Speranta Group Real Estate at Compass, with over two decades of experience in the area. The set-like ambiance begins with a historical business district known as Old Town, a hub of local shops and eateries as well as recurring community events, topped off with clear views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Monrovia has everything a resident needs. “You can go to school there, shop there. You don’t have to leave Monrovia. Everything is there — entertainment, restaurants and cafes. Monrovia is an All-America City Award winner,” Speranta says. About 20 miles from Los Angeles, this quaint suburban refuge is home to approximately 38,000 people.
Only 20 miles from Los Angeles, approximately 38,000 Monrovians live in a quaint suburban town.
Mayflower Village hikers are just a short trek from the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains.
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Old Town Monrovia and more retail
At the heart of the community, residents can find a Main Street-style business district called Old Town Monrovia, which dates back to 1886. Tree-lined Myrtle Street has 10 blocks of local restaurants, boutiques and entertainment, including a movie theater. The district, which offers cuisines from around the world, appeals to a diverse community. “It’s got a very good Walk Score, and I’d say it's a very good community because you have a real mix of people there,” Speranta says. Huntington Oaks Center, a strip mall, has department stores and grocery shopping in the southern half of the city. On the horizon, the city is building the 127 Pomona Specific Plan, a mixed-use structure with commercial space, residential units and parking located in the southern section of Monrovia. It's expected to be completed in 2025.
Enjoy all the retail shops and dining experiences Old town Monrovia has to offer.
Monrovia residents can get their healthy grocery essentials at Trader Joes.
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Wine Walk and more community events in Old Town
A community-oriented town, Monrovia puts on festive events throughout the year as well as weekly gatherings. At the annual Wine Walk, people can try a variety of wines paired with food from local businesses. “All the restaurants participate, and the city closes down the street,” Speranta says. The Thankful & Grateful Holiday Gathering features a petting zoo and horse-drawn carriage rides, while the Santa Tour allows residents to see Mr. Claus travel through town on his sleigh. For those who prefer weekly outings, the Monrovia Street Fair & Market happens every Friday, with live music and vendors in Old Town. “The street fair has been there for many years. There’s an animal farm where kids can go pony riding, a petting zoo, face painting and balloon guys,” Speranta says. “It’s kind of like a carnival atmosphere. It’s very popular.”
As the Monrovia Days parade wraps up everyone is ready to check out the carnival.
Horse drawn carriages can be seen in the Monrovia Days parade.
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A lower price point than nearby cities
Northeast of Los Angeles, Monrovia is mostly composed of grid-style blocks of single-family homes on compact lots, although prospective buyers can look to the community's northern edge for spacious lots on winding roads, which ascend through the foothills. The homes in Monrovia are a mix of styles, from homes built in the 1880s to contemporary architecture. “A lot of people want to purchase in Monrovia because it's the fourth oldest city in Greater Los Angeles, so it has historical and character homes: Hollywood bungalows, Victorians as well as the American Foursquares and Craftsman homes. The architecture is big,” Speranta says. The Mayflower Village neighborhood has midcentury ranch-style homes available. On average, homes in Monrovia stay on the market for 27 days in contrast to the national average of 41 days, at a median sales price of $970,000 over the last year. “You get more house here for less money than you would in Pasadena or Arcadia,” says Realtor Kevin Kuo, who has 12 years of experience in the area and works with eXp Realty of California Inc. Next door in Arcadia, the median sales price is $1.4 million.
The hills of Monrovia are home to many large luxurious modern houses with acres of property.
Tudor homes can be found next to quaint Spanish style homes on the streets of Monrovia.
Cozy cottages with small front yards and white picket fences are commonplace in Monrovia.
Bungalows and Tudor homes alike have well maintained front lawns in Monrovia.
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Education in Monrovia
The city’s students are served by the Monrovia Unified School District, which earns an A rating from Niche. The school district offers extracurriculars including Robotics Team, and the middle and high school teams both advanced to the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships in 2019. Monrovia High School underwent major construction in 2006, when a $45 million bond was approved to add a science building with labs, a gymnasium and a stadium with bleachers.
Clifton Middle School in Monrovia receives an A- rating from Niche.
Monrovia High School received a Golden Apple Award for its exceptional teaching.
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Angeles National Forest and Monrovia city parks
With a location in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Monrovia’s northern border offers access to the expansive Angeles National Forest. The wilderness setting offers camping and horseback riding trails. “It’s very well known for the hiking and biking trails up in the canyon,” Speranta says. “People come from all around to hike those. It has the famous waterfall in Canyon Park.” One of the most popular municipal spots, Library Park features the Monrovia Public Library in Old Town. It also has a playground, a bandshell for summer concerts and shaded picnic tables. Recreation Park is one of the larger parks in the area, covering 15 acres on the east side of town. Kids can enjoy the playground, while athletes can take advantage of the skate park, the basketball courts and the volleyball courts. Additionally, the park is the grounds for Monrovia Historical Museum, which provides exhibits on the area’s local history.
Recreation Park has a lot to offer including a skatepark for sharpening your skills on a board.
Library Park features a huge green space for outdoor activities and a large playground.
Monrovia’s northern border offers access to the expansive Angeles National Forest.
Catch an action packed baseball game at Recreation Park in Monrovia.
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Low crime rates and warm weather in Monrovia
According to data from the FBI, the violent crime rate in Monrovia was low in 2023 compared to the state of California and the United States. The city’s property crime rate was lower than California's but higher than the national rate.
The city has hot summers but cool, wet weather during the winter. The community has extreme air quality risk and severe wildfire risk due to its location next to the Angeles National Forest.
Commuting to Los Angeles and further travel
Many of Monrovia’s residents commute to larger cities for work. Downtown Los Angeles is about 20 miles away via Interstate 10. For a shorter commute, Pasadena is only 10 miles away via Interstate 210. Public transportation in the area includes Foothill Transit for bus services and Metro for rail services. For a nearby medical center, residents can go to the Monrovia Memorial Hospital. The closest major airport is the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, located about 20 miles away.
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