I've been here for 19 years and Household incomes average around $55,372 in Bell Gardens. Rent is about $1,658/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
27 upvotes
10 Replies
urban_silas80
underrated comment
38 upvotes
Piper C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in The Heights and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
true_jeremiah92
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
33 upvotes
Rylee
wish I knew this sooner
26 upvotes
charlotte_evan
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Leo Reed
seconding this
23 upvotes
noah_native
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Sarah Green
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
12 upvotes
Wyatt S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 48, moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Atlanta, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
7 upvotes
Aiden Flores
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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