Diverse, dynamic, and full of small-town charm, Downey is an amazing area in the heart of Los Angeles County. The city, which has its roots in the aerospace industry, is quickly becoming one of the best places to live, work, and play.
Downey’s rich history and cultural diversity are just among the many reasons why people are drawn to this laid-back city. There’s always something for everyone in Downey, whether it’s a family searching for the right neighborhood and quality education for their kids or an entrepreneur ready to jumpstart their business.
Discover the top neighborhoods in Downey and see what it’s like to live in this incredible city.
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Overview Of Downey, California
Downey’s history dates all the way back to the 1800s. The city was named after Irish immigrant, John Gately Downey who assisted in developing Southern California’s economy. After Downey and his partner purchased around 7 hectares of land, 96 acres were turned into the residential community we now know as Downey. The city played a significant role in the aspects of aerospace and aviation. In 1936, aircraft inventor Jerry Vultee started an airplane production plant here. His company, Vultee, was one of the first military aircraft manufacturers and a pioneer of women’s employment. Downey is also the birthplace of the Apollo space program. Apollo 11 may have been launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center but the command module of the spacecraft was built right here in Downey. Because of its prime location and proximity to major highways and cities, living in Downey comes at a premium. According to Salary.com, the cost of living in this city is 33.7% higher than the national average – increasing by 3.2% from the previous year. The said uptick can be attributed to the rise in costs of food, utilities, and real estate prices. PayScale has a larger estimate, setting Downey’s cost of living at 52%. Making the biggest impact on this figure is housing expenses which registered a whopping 133% growth.Best Places To Live In Downey, California
Aside from possessing a rich history in aviation and aerospace, Downey is also a great area to call home. Living in Downey means having access to award-winning schools, incredible residential properties, a tight-knit community, surrounded by the 5 freeway, 605 freeway, 105 freeway and 710 freeways, and centrally located between downtown Los Angeles and Disneyland.
Downey is a great city to live in. Unlike other cities which have several areas with actual tract names, here are areas in North Downey that are exclusively named:
Northeast Downey
The most sought-after neighborhood in Downey. It’s considered the “Beverly Hills” of the southeast Los Angeles area. This tract is east of Lakewood Blvd, North of Florence, south of Gallatin Rd and west of the Rio San Gabriel riverbed. It’s characterized by the minimum lot being 10,000 sq ft and charming mid-century ranch style homes. Years ago, there was an elementary school by the name of Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary that closed down in the late 1970s / early 1980s turned into an exclusive subdivision within the Northeast Downey boundary that sold lots off to lucky future homeowners in a lottery process. One homeowner was Richard Carpenter, of the music group The Carpenters, and his family who bought a double lot and built a beautiful 6,000+ sq ft estate.Cherokee Estates
This neighborhood is in between 5th St and Cherokee Dr and between Brookshire Ave and Lakewood Blvd. Cherokee Dr was named because one of the city’s first resident’s Albert Ball, whom had a walnut and orange groves business, planted Cherokee rose bushes on the road leading to his family’s two-story estate, later re-addressed as 8572 Cherokee Dr. His property stretched from Lakewood Blvd to Dolan Ave. Since then, the property and other properties like it were sold off and the city and builders subdivided the land into residences that can be seen today.Yankee Circle
This is a 3 block section of homes off Rives Ave, south of Stewart and Gray, with many mid-century single-story ranch style homes on large 7,500-16,000 sq ft lots. It consists of Yankey St (“Yankee Circle”), and Sarabeth St. Many Downey residents remember this street for the Christmas lights all/most residents in these blocks decorated their homes. It attracted residents in Downey and surrounding to drive by in the evenings leading up to Christmas.Private Brookmill Rd
Located off of Rives Ave between Firestone Blvd and Stewart & Gray Rd, this private road has all 20,000+ sq ft lots with beautiful estates of all sizes. It’s an exclusive area that is centrally located to all the amenities that Downey has to offer.The Island
An exclusive and well-established community in Downey, which borders Bell Gardens, is called The Island because it looks like it’s surrounded by water. It’s actually surrounded by two riverbeds and the main access to the tract is off of Suva St and Bluff Rd. The Island is popular for its secluded location and peaceful atmosphere. The neighborhood is home to around 700 residents, whom have access to Treasure Island Park which runs along the eastern side of the area.Orange Estates
Since its establishment in 1939 up to now, Orange Estates has consistently been among the most sought-after neighborhoods in Downey, CA. The area was originally from 2nd St to 8th St and from Rives Ave to Paramount Blvd but has since been characterized by the area between Firestone Blvd and Florence Ave and between Old River School Rd (although most would argue Rives Ave is the border) and Paramount Blvd. The community, named after the acres of orange groves grown in the city during the 1880s, is located close to Furman Park, Rio Hondo Elementary, and excellent restaurants. Having been built between the 1940s to the late 1960s, the properties in Orange Estates exude charm and character. But whether vintage or recently built, a good number of the homes here have been upgraded to provide comfort, extra support against the elements and force majeure events, and practicality.Why Is Downey One Of The Best Places To Live In
With all the benefits and features that Downey has to offer, it’s no wonder why this area tops the list of best cities to move to. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect when you buy a house for sale in Downey, CA:
Central location
Downey enjoys its prime location at the heart of Southern California’s freeway system. Residents who purchased a house for sale in Downey, CA can conveniently access four of its major freeways: Interstate 5, Interstate 710, Interstate 605, and Interstate 105. Major cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim are easily reached. The Los Angeles Airport (LAX), one of the biggest airports in California, is around 20 minutes away from Downey via I-105.Strong economy
Downey’s growing economy shows no signs of slowing down. According to the World Population Review, the city continues to thrive at a rate of 0.23%. Downey’s population, which now sits at around 111,000 people, has increased by 0.45%. For budding entrepreneurs looking for a place to establish their respective businesses, Downey is an excellent place to start. The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) named Downey the “Most Business-Friendly City” in Los Angeles County. The city aims to provide economic opportunities to various start-ups and small businesses through its excellent programs, competitive business tax rates, and economic incentives.Quality real estate
Looking for your ideal house for sale? You’re most likely to find one in Downey, CA. The residential properties here come in various shapes and sizes to fit every style and budget such as single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and condos. Home prices for these properties range between $580,000 and $2.4 million, with most of them having spacious interiors and large backyards.Excellent school district
If quality education for your children is what you’re after, you’ll be glad to know that Downey’s award-winning school district exceeds expectations. The Downey Unified School District aims to provide a challenging, yet positive learning environment for all. Downey students from kindergarten to high school are encouraged to excel not just in the classroom but outside, as well. The Downey School District also has an adult school with industry-specific courses. This particular school district has 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools. Downey High School, in particular, is known as one of the top high schools in California due to its innovative programs, technical course offerings, and various extracurricular activities.Unique attractions
From interactive space museums to world-famous amusement parks, Downey has a variety of attractions in and around the city. See the top attractions below:- Columbia Memorial Space Center 12400 Columbia Way, Downey Discover the world of technology, space, and science at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Established in 2009, the Space Center offers a wide variety of interactive STEM exhibits for children and young adults. Learn how to code a robot, join a class on planetary science, or check out the launch escape system, Apollo Boilerplate 12. The learning center also has an excellent Girls in STEM program that aims to inspire and encourage young women to reach for their dreams.
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McDonald’s
10207 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey
The oldest-operating McDonald’s in the world is located right in Downey. Opened in 1953, the iconic restaurant retains its original retro facade and signature golden arches. Inside the restaurant is a display area of McDonald’s memorabilia, from framed photos of the restaurant in the 1950s to mannequins wearing their vintage uniforms.
- Hathaway Ranch Museum 11901 Florence Avenue, Santa Fe Springs Learn about Los Angeles County’s rich mining history at the Hathaway Ranch Museum. The 5-acre property is owned by the Hathaway family, whose namesake company produced oil and gas from wells throughout the country. The private museum houses various oil, ranching, and farming equipment, many of which still work to this day.
- Knott’s Berry Farm 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park It’s not hard to see why Knott’s Berry Farm is ranked among the top theme parks in the nation. What started as a humble family business in Buena Park has grown to a 160-acre, world-famous destination for fun, excitement, and entertainment. Knotts Berry Farm has several themed areas, each one with its own selection of unique rides and attractions. There’s something for everyone here, including a Peanuts-themed Camp Snoopy for kids. Aside from the rides, Knotts Berry Farm also has comedy shows, live bands, and musical entertainment. You can reach the farm from Downey via an approximately 20-minute drive.
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles Located in Los Angeles which is almost half an hour’s drive away from Downey, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County leaves visitors in awe. The museum houses over 35 million specimens and artifacts, including large-scale skeletons of a T. Rex and Triceratops, richly illustrated dioramas, and an extensive collection of minerals and gemstones. Outside the museum is the Nature Gardens, an enormous outdoor area that’s home to various flora and fauna. For more inside information on the exhibits, take a guided tour with a museum expert.
Recreational opportunities
Discover endless outdoor fun in Downey such as golfing, fishing, and picnicking. Downey is also home to acres of green space, with numerous parks scattered throughout the city. Here’s where to go for outdoor recreation:- Rio Hondo Golf Course 10627 Old River School Road If you’re looking to play an exciting round of golf, Downey has the perfect spot. The Rio Hondo Golf Course has been voted as one of the best places for golfing and it’s not hard to see why. The 71-par, 18-hole golf course has a narrow layout, fast greens, and magnificent views. Charming as it is challenging, this golf course has four sets of tees for golfers of all skill levels.
- Furman Park 10419 Rives Avenue For the past 60 years, Furman Park has been the go-to destination for recreation in Downey. The park has tennis courts, ball diamonds, and outdoor fitness equipment. Visitors will also find a scenic walking trail that spans the perimeter of the park.
- Wilderness Park 10999 Little Lake Road Enjoy the great outdoors at Wilderness Park, a favorite local spot among residents and visitors. Park-goers are more than welcome to jog around the scenic area, use the barbecue grills for a picnic, or go fishing at any of the park’s two man-made lakes. Wilderness Park also has a playground for children up to 12 years of age.
- Dennis the Menace Park 9125 Arrington Avenue, Downey Located at the end of Arrington Avenue, Dennis the Menace Park is a family favorite because of the different playgrounds that it offers. The park also has picnic tables and a large, grassy area, making it a great space for picnics and parties.
- Rio San Gabriel Park 9612 Ardine Street, Downey Home to baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas, Rio San Gabriel Park is another neighborhood favorite. And if you’re thinking of bringing your four-legged friend along, the park has a large, fenced-in area for dogs to play in.
Other notable areas
Aside from the museums, parks, and golf courses, these local spots add to the high quality of life in Downey, CA:- Downey City Library 11121 Brookshire Avenue The newly-renovated Downey City Library has a modern, vibrant, and spacious interior. Whether you’re searching for online and print resources or looking for a quiet place to do your work, the 27,500-square-foot building is the best place to go. This city library also holds a variety of events and programs like book clubs, bookbinding workshops, and poetry readings.
- Downey Theater 8435 Firestone Boulevard Watch local and national acts at the Downey Theater, a popular performing arts venue near the city’s downtown area. The Downey Theater features a wide variety of productions like acapella shows, ballet performances, and even a mariachi rock concert.
- Downey Farmers Market 11102 La Reina Avenue Held every Saturday morning on Downey Avenue, the Downey Farmers Market is a go-to for residents and visitors alike. Fresh produce, seasonal products, baked goods, and homemade food are typically sold here. Specialty items like flowers, tea, and pet products can be found here, as well.