Why Buyers Love South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area

South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area: Hawaiian Gardens' Most Walkable Neighborhood

A premium pocket within Hawaiian Gardens where above-market walkability meets affordable family living.

Family Premium
WALK SCORE 88FAMILY-FOCUSEDSTRONG SCHOOLSACTIVE LIVINGDIVERSE DINING

About South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area in Hawaiian Gardens

South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area stands out as Hawaiian Gardens' most walkable residential pocket, with a walk score of 88 that rivals urban neighborhoods while maintaining family-friendly affordability. The median home value here reaches $600,050, well above the city average of $474,400, reflecting strong demand and quality-of-life perks that justify the premium. Additionally, 40.2% of residents have children, nearly half are married, and household incomes average $104,397, creating a stable, child-oriented community anchored by top-performing schools like Margaret Landell Elementary.

Boundary note: The neighborhood centers on South Elaine Avenue and nearby Furgeson Elementary boundaries, encompassing tree-lined residential blocks with mixed-age housing stock and direct access to both local amenities and regional transit corridors.

Real Estate Market in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area

South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area at a glance
Median home price$600k
Year over year change+3.2%
Price per sq ft$745
Median rent$2,023
Typical days on market24
Buyer competitionModerate
Walk Score88
Bike Score75

South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area commands a strong resale market driven by walkability, school quality, and demographic stability. Homes sell faster here than city-wide averages due to sustained family demand.

$600k
+3.2% YoY
Median Price
$745
Price / Sq Ft
$2,023
Median Rent
24
Days on Market
Moderate buyer competition
Offer Strategy

Competition is moderate but growing; homes in move-in condition near Furgeson Elementary tend to list and sell within 3 weeks. Offers above asking are common for properties with updated kitchens or proximity to Clarkdale Park.

Who Thrives in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area

S
First-time Buyers
Strong fit

Median household income of $104,397 supports $600k financing; walk score 88 eliminates second-car pressure and appeals to younger professionals who value neighborhood character.

E
Families
Excellent fit

Margaret Landell Elementary (83.5 rating), nearby Newcomb Academy, and 40.2% child population create a tightly knit school-oriented ecosystem with parks like Pioneer Park and community events.

G
Investors
Good fit

Rents average $2,023 against home values of $600k, yielding 4% gross return; strong owner-occupancy (50.8%) and family demographic suggest stable long-term tenant demand.

E
Remote Workers
Excellent fit

Walk score 88, transit score 9, and bike score 75 make South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area ideal for those seeking cafe culture at 7 Leaves Cafe or Starbucks without commute stress.

G
Retirees
Good fit

Median age 34.5 and walkable retail provide younger-skewing stability; proximity to Mary Rodriguez Senior Citizen's Center and healthcare options at CVS Pharmacy add appeal.

Property Types in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area

Single-Family Homes
62%
$480k to $750k

Three-bedroom Ranch and early 1970s Colonials dominate; updated examples command 8 to 12% premiums.

Condos / Townhomes
28%
$350k to $550k

Attached units near Furgeson Elementary appeal to downsizers and first-time buyers; lower HOA relative to coastal communities.

Multi-Unit Investment
10%
$650k to $1.2m

Older duplexes and fourplexes attract owner-operators; zoning supports limited multi-family development.

Living in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area, Hawaiian Gardens

Daily life in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area centers on walkable retail, neighborhood parks, and school rhythms. Residents can stroll to Food 4 Less or Walmart Supercenter for groceries, grab lunch at Pollo Inka or Pho May, and still be home by 2 p.m. for school pickup. <h3>Community Activity</h3> Moreover, Clarkdale Park and Pioneer Park host regular weekend soccer leagues and family gatherings, while local coffee culture at 7 Leaves Cafe and Starbucks fosters neighbor connections. The 72.1% drive rate reflects easy car access, yet the high walk score means daily errands rarely demand a trip; instead, they become neighborhood fixture opportunities.

88/100
Walk Score
Very Walkable
75/100
Bike Score
Very Bikeable
🍽 Restaurants & Dining
  • Pollo Inka · 4 min walk
  • McDonald's · 4 min walk
  • Lee's Sandwiches · 6 min walk
  • Wingstop · 6 min walk
  • Pho May · 6 min walk
☕ Coffee Shops
  • Starbucks · 5 min walk
  • Starbucks · 15 min walk
  • 7 Leaves Cafe · 31 min walk
  • Starbucks · 32 min walk
  • Cafeteria · 35 min walk
🌳 Parks & Green Space
  • Clarkdale Park · 6 min walk
  • Pioneer Park · 10 min walk
  • Bloomfield Park · 12 min walk
  • Lee Ware Park · 18 min walk
  • (former) Lakewood Equestrian Center · 23 min walk
🛒 Grocery & Essentials
  • Food 4 Less · 9 min walk
  • Super HK · 19 min walk
  • Walmart Supercenter · 21 min walk
  • Twice Baked – Gluten Free Bakery · 22 min walk
  • Ralphs · 29 min walk
🏋 Fitness
  • Mary Rodriguez Senior Citizen's Center · 9 min walk
  • Straight Up Fitness · 9 min walk
  • Crunch Fitness · 32 min walk
  • Mark Taper Vista Lodge · 38 min walk
🎬 Entertainment
  • Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 & IMAX · 16 min walk
  • Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Cypress · 31 min walk

Annual events: Furgeson Elementary back-to-school fair, Hawaiian Gardens Community Day (summer), Pioneer Park seasonal sports tournaments, holiday parade (December)

Schools Near South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area, Hawaiian Gardens

School quality is the cornerstone of South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area's appeal, with Margaret Landell Elementary earning an 83.5 rating and Newcomb Academy (covering K-8) scoring 78. Furthermore, Los Alamitos High and Ernest S. Mcbride Sr. High both exceed 67 ratings, giving families genuine choice in secondary education.

Elementary Schools

8.3/10
Margaret Landell Elementary
Elementary · KG–6
34-minute walk

School Score 83.5 with 83% math and 84% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
6.5/10
A. E. Arnold Elementary
Elementary · KG–6
31-minute walk

School Score 64.5 with 63% math and 66% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
4.5/10
Willow Elementary
Elementary · KG–6
28-minute walk

School Score 45.5 with 36% math and 55% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
4.2/10
Palms Elementary
Elementary · KG–6
28-minute walk

School Score 42.5 with 38% math and 47% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026

Middle Schools

7.8/10
Newcomb Academy
Middle School · KG–8
24-minute walk

School Score 78 with 76% math and 80% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
6.6/10
Helen Keller Middle
Middle School · 6–8
31-minute walk

School Score 66 with 56% math and 76% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
6.2/10
Lexington Junior High
Middle School · 7–8
29-minute walk

School Score 62.5 with 57% math and 68% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
3.9/10
Fedde (Pharis F.) Middle
Middle School · 7–8
9-minute walk

School Score 38.5 with 35% math and 42% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026

High Schools

6.8/10
Los Alamitos High
High School · 9–12
34-minute walk

School Score 68.5 with 57% math and 80% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
6.7/10
Ernest S. Mcbride Sr. High
High School · 9–12
28-minute walk

School Score 67 with 52% math and 82% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
4.1/10
Artesia High
High School · 9–12
28-minute walk

School Score 41 with 27% math and 55% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
n/a
Southeast Rop
High School · 9–12
33-minute walk Proximitii 2026

Feeder pattern: Margaret Landell and Furgeson Elementary feed to Helen Keller Middle (66 rating) and then to Los Alamitos High, creating a stable K-12 pathway within the same school family.

Source: Proximitii 2026

Commute from South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area

South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area sits 12 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, nestled between the I-405 and I-605 corridors. The neighborhood's transit score of 9 reflects limited traditional bus networks, but bike score of 75 enables local connectivity.

Downtown Long Beach (retail / dining hub)
Drive: 15 to 22 minTransit: 35 to 50 min
Irvine tech corridor (Orange County employment)
Drive: 35 to 45 minTransit: 90+ min
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Drive: 32 to 42 minTransit: 75 to 90 min

Local bus stops at Civic Center & Joliet and Carson & Juan provide limited regional connection; most households rely on private vehicle or carpool.

Frequently Asked Questions about South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area

What is the average home price in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area, Hawaiian Gardens?

The median home value is $600,050, roughly 27% higher than the Hawaiian Gardens city average of $474,400. This premium reflects the neighborhood's walk score of 88, strong school ratings, and high percentage of owner-occupied homes (50.8%). Properties range from $350k for starter condos to $750k for fully updated single-family homes near Furgeson Elementary.

Is South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area a good place to live?

Yes, particularly for families and remote workers. The neighborhood combines above-average walkability, quality schools, median household income of $104,397, and a 40.2% child population that creates strong community bonds. Additionally, the 14.4% poverty rate is moderate, and nearly 50% of residents are married, suggesting demographic stability.

What are the best schools near South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area?

Margaret Landell Elementary (83.5 rating) and Furgeson Elementary are the top nearby elementary schools. For middle school, Newcomb Academy (78 rating) offers K-8 continuity, while Helen Keller Middle (66 rating) serves the standard feeder pattern. Los Alamitos High School (68.5) is the preferred secondary option for college-bound students.

Is South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area safe?

The neighborhood maintains a 14.4% poverty rate, which is moderate for the Los Angeles area, and benefits from Los Angeles County Fire Department Station #34 proximity. Most blocks are well-lit, tree-lined residential streets with active foot traffic during school hours, contributing to natural surveillance and community feeling.

Who should consider buying in South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area?

Families with school-age children, first-time homebuyers seeking walkability without coastal pricing, remote workers valuing neighborhood character, and investors targeting stable rental demographics. The 45.1% married rate and 26.3% bachelor's degree attainment reflect an educated, settled population unlikely to cause short-term market disruption.

What amenities are within walking distance of South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area?

Grocery chains like Food 4 Less, Walmart Supercenter, and Ralphs are all within 0.5 miles. Dining includes Pollo Inka, Pho May, and Lee's Sandwiches. Parks like Clarkdale Park and Pioneer Park are accessible by foot, and 7 Leaves Cafe provides daily social anchor for remote workers. Fitness options such as Straight Up Fitness serve local cardio and strength needs.

Where this South Elaine Avenue / Furgeson Area data comes from

Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

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