“You’re movin’ with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air!” Well, probably not, but the lyrics to the opening of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air might be running through your head right now. To clarify, this IS the Bel Air of 1990’s TV fame. The other Bel Air is in Maryland, and while we are sure it’s lovely, it’s not what we’ll be covering today. No, today, we’ll be talking about all the reasons you should move to Bel Air, CA!

Fun Facts About Bel Air, CA

Bel Air is one of the hundreds of neighborhoods that make up the city of Los Angeles. A small neighborhood, Bel Air only spans about 6 square miles, and yet, it’s one of the most well known towns in America, thanks to Will Smith. Whether you are a “Fresh Prince” fan or not, here are a few fun facts about Bel Air that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

It Was Named After Alphonzo Bell

Alphonzo Bell founded Bel Air in 1923. Like many other farm owners out west, Bell got rich when he struck oil at his farm in Santa Fe Springs. With his newfound wealth, he purchased a large ranch and new home. From that point, he started dividing, developing and selling pieces of his property, turning his land into a prosperous new town. To reflect the wealth of Bel Air, Bell also built the Bel-Air Beach Club and Country Club. And, it was Alphonzo’s wife who chose the names for the streets in Bel Air; she choose Italian names only.

Bel Air is One Corner of the Platinum Triangle

Looking to “go platinum” when you move to Los Angeles? You might want to consider living in Bel Air. Bel Air, along with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills, makes up the Platinum Triangle, an area of Westside affluence in Los Angeles. The Platinum Triangle is home to some of LA’s most wealthy residents, as well as ultra-high-end shopping and dining experiences. Living in Bel Air, you also might find a few celebrities to be your neighbors, or spot tour buses passing by to see the stars’ homes.

It’s Been On-Screen, A Lot

Yes, when you read Bel Air, you might first think of the popular TV show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” But that’s not the only show that called Bel Air home! Remember the Beverly Hillbillies? They actually filmed one neighborhood over, in Bel Air. “Get Shorty” and “The Rockford Files” were also filmed in this affluent LA neighborhood. Because of its deep roots in film, Bel Air started the Bel Air Film Festival in 2008, which comes back to town every October.

Who Lives in Bel Air

Now, here’s a question we can answer easily: the rich and famous call Bel Air home. There are about 10,000 people living in Bel Air, in plenty of different work industries, ages, races and heritages. So, instead of talking about Bel Air’s demographics, we thought we’d introduce you to a few of you potential neighbors. Current residents of Bel Air include: Rod Stewart, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Elon Musk and the Queen of Music herself, Beyonce.

Where to Live in Bel Air, CA

This really is a trick question, I think. If you can afford it, any house in the neighborhood will be amazing. There are few things to keep in mind, however: when you’re looking at homes in Bel Air:

• Who your neighbors are: LA’s brightest stars sometimes throw huge parties, attract lots of media attention, or and can bring tour buses down your street at all hours of the day. Make sure you know who you’ll be living next to, before you buy.
• The price: We’ll cover this more in another section, but living in Bel Air is crazy expensive. The monthly mortgage costs on some of these homes are higher than some LA resident’s salaries for the whole year. Make sure you’re prepared to pay up.
• How much privacy do you want: There’s lots of options when you choose a home in Bel Air. Do you like to be by the street, or want to be set back, with lots of greenery surrounding your home? Do you want a gated or open driveway? Do you want a view of the city, or an escape?

Bel Air Schools

Families living in Bel Air have plenty of amazing schools to choose from. Of course, children can go to public schools in Bel Air, which are part of the Los Angeles School District. Like New York City, public schools in Los Angeles run the gamut from standard learning formats, to specialized programs that students must test into. Some of the best high schools in Los Angeles include the Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, the Downtown Business High School, and the LA County High School for the Arts. In addition, there are the hundreds of private academies spread throughout the city and its suburbs which you can choose from.

Working in Bel Air

Working in Bel Air really means working in LA. The neighborhood itself is primarily residential, though it you are in the film industry, you might find yourself “working” here during an on-site day of shooting. When most people think of LA, they think of Music & Entertainment, but while the film and music industries here are booming, other industries have been growing here too.

For example, tech companies are thriving in LA, and the tech industry here is growing rapidly. Google has a campus here; so does Fandango, SpaceX, Netflix, and the video game titan, Blizzard Entertainment, among dozens of others. With all those opportunities, it’s no wonder that the median household income in Bel Air is $183,950 per year. Sure, the competition is stiff in this city of great ambitions, but if you have the skills, there are plenty of Los Angeles jobs just waiting for you.

What’s the Weather like in Bel Air?

Bel Air, like the rest of LA, gets plenty of sunshine and warm days. You won’t have to worry about any snow when you move to Bel Air, though you might experience the occasional earthquake, thanks to the many faults that run under California. The average temperature in Bel Air stays within a small window, with an annual high of 71.1 degree, and a low of 55.9 degrees.

Bel Air Cost of Living

We already mentioned the Platinum Triangle and the fact that A-list celebs call Bel Air home, so it should come as no surprise that the cost of living in Bel Air is HIGH. Want to buy a home in Bel Air? You can expect to be spending anything from $2-10 Million, with some homes selling in this area selling for exponentially more than even that! Of course, in Bel Air, you get what you pay for. The homes here are incredibly gorgeous, ranging from ranch-style estates to modern mansions, with amazing views, stunning grounds, and gated entrances.

In other cost of living categories, Bel Air is more on-par with the rest of Los Angeles. You’ll be spending the same as other LA natives for goods & services, transportation, and healthcare. Of course, since LA itself is rather expensive, these are all most costly than the national average. After housing, the highest cost in Bel Air is transportation, which comes in at 26% more than the national average.

Things to do in Bel Air

Bel Air is gorgeous, but residential, so you won’t find a bunch of activities in Bel Air itself. Luckily, Bel Air has a prime location close to downtown LA, where there is always something amazing to do. From fabulous shopping, to restaurants that cater to every diet, and feature dishes from dozens of cultures, you’ll never run out of fun things to do in LA. Want to learn more? Check out our list of the 5 best things to do in Los Angeles, whether you’re a visitor, or a resident!

Moving to Bel Air

Bel Air is a home to the stars, but is it your next hometown? If you can afford the housing here, you’ll be sure to get a stunning home with great views and easy access to the heart of Los Angeles. You’ll also get to enjoy tons of sunny days and a seemingly endless list of fun things to do in LA!

If you need help moving to Bel Air, Osmon Moving & Storage is the local moving company you can trust. You can reach us online for a free moving quote, or call today at (800) 807-6181 to speak with a friendly staff member.