When Chris Barker and Nida Rinthapol moved with their children, JR (8) and Dara (5), to Rolling Hills earlier this year, they didn’t arrive as strangers to the South Bay. Having lived in the Palos Verdes area since 2018, they already felt a sense of belonging—and now, as they put down roots in Rolling Hills, they’re eager to become part of the close-knit community.   

 

Their journeys to this hilltop neighborhood began oceans apart. Chris was born in Taiwan and moved with his family to Costa Mesa when he was just five years old. Nida grew up in Bangkok, Thailand before moving to the U.S. as a teenager. Both carried with them a deep appreciation for education: Chris went on to study philosophy at UCLA before earning his law degree there, while Nida pursued psychology at UC Santa Barbara and completed a Ph.D. in Education.

 

It was on the Westside of Los Angeles that their paths first crossed. Chris had begun his legal career at Quinn Emanuel, and Nida was a director for data resources at UCLA. What started as two young professionals chasing careers eventually grew into a partnership in every sense of the word. Today, that partnership extends to their business, Yorkshire Realty, a real estate brokerage and property management firm. Chris also practices as a real estate attorney, while Nida brings her expertise in quantitative data analysis to guide their strategies. Their shared experience as professionals, property owners, and investors gives them a well-rounded perspective on real estate.

 

At home, life is centered around JR and Dara. JR is a whirlwind of sports enthusiasm—golf and soccer have long been favorites, but baseball is his newest passion. Dara, by contrast, shines on the ice and in the gym, with ice skating and gymnastics bringing her joy. Summers are often spent in Thailand, where both children visit their grandparents, attend Thai school, and immerse themselves in a different culture. Their love of travel has already taken them to some of the world’s great landmarks: this spring, the Colosseum in Rome, and over the summer, the Great Wall of China.

 

Though Chris and Nida’s cultural backgrounds don’t lend themselves to emphasizing traditional holidays, they never miss an opportunity to make birthdays special. Closer to home, the family enjoys the Rolling Hills Country Club, school activities at Cornerstone Elementary, and community events organized by the City of Rolling Hills. Nida recently joined the Rolling Hills Women’s Club, a step that’s helping the family build even deeper neighborhood ties.

 

Their story is also one of giving back. Nida grew up in subsidized housing until she was ten, and Chris’s parents were never able to purchase a home. These experiences left a lasting imprint. Through Yorkshire Realty, they’ve partnered with organizations dedicated to fighting homelessness and have helped create more than 65 affordable housing units for vulnerable and formerly homeless individuals. They also collaborate with programs such as Section 8 and Brilliant Corners, helping to expand access to stable housing.

 

Although their time in Rolling Hills is still just beginning, the Barker–Rinthapol family has already been touched by the warmth of the community. They’re grateful for the welcome they’ve received, and they look forward to many years of memories, friendships, and contributions ahead.

 

This Thanksgiving, the family reflects on their journey—from Taiwan and Thailand, to Los Angeles and now Rolling Hills—and feels grateful for how far they’ve come, and for the community they now call home.