49. Walnut, Calif.
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 30,054 |
| Median Income | $102,068 |
| Job Growth | 8.1% |
| Median Home Price | $715,625 |
| Property Tax | $6,070 |
Walnut is one of Los Angeles County’s many bedroom communities, but its rolling hills, interlaced with 30 miles of trails, make it feel less like suburbia. Hillside houses have views of downtown L.A., even the Pacific on a clear day. The view is pricey—the average three-bedroom home sells for more than $600,000. Still, a diverse mix of residents are willing to pay for access to Walnut’s excellent schools; even the elementary schools have International Baccalaureate programs. Higher ed opportunities abound, too, with Mount San Antonio Community College in town and Cal Poly Pomona next door.
Walnut's main hub is an outdoor shopping center with the usual big-box retailers, and while it’s only 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, car drivers aren’t spared L.A.'s famous traffic. However, Walnut is next to the MetroLink line, so riders can be in downtown L.A. in 40 minutes. And if you really want to get away from city sprawl, it’s only 20 miles east to the solitude of Angeles National Forest.—Vanessa Richardson