What To Know Before Moving to Norwalk, CA

Norwalk is a City in Los Angeles County, CA that has a lot going for it if you’re looking to invest or relocate. It enjoys the fantastic Californian climate, has a great schooling district, more recreational activities than you’re ever likely to get through, and some eye opening real estate options. It has a rich history but is very much a modern place to live, with suburban neighborhoods offering tranquil residences and more lively urbanized spots providing great amenities. Living in Norwalk is easy and simply a lot of fun.

Here, we’ll take you through some of the most important aspects of Norwalk, CA to help you decide if buying a home for sale in Norwalk, CA is the right choice for you.

A brief history of Norwalk, CA

The arrival of the Spanish in what would become Norwalk in the late 1760s brought settlers who built missions and roads wherever they settled. Overall around 21 missions were connected, leading to the creation of what would become known as the El Camino Real which many consider California’s first highway.

In 1784, a Spanish soldier assigned to one of the mission outposts named Manuel Nieto received a Spanish land grant (Rancho Los Nietos) that included Norwalk. But after the Mexican–American War in 1848, portions of the rancho were subdivided and made available for sale when California was admitted into the union of the United States. Two brothers, Gilbert and Atwood Sproul from Oregon, purchased 463 acres of the land. They would have a fundamental impact on the history and development of the area.

Norwalk was incorporated as a city in 1957. Since then, the city has continued to grow and develop into a prosperous and culturally rich community.

Location and climate

Norwalk is a member of the Gateway Cities, situated 17 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and 12 miles northwest of Garden Grove. Thanks to its advantageous location on the El Camino Real trail, Norwalk is just a relatively short drive away from all important destinations in Southern California.

The area enjoys temperate weather, with temperatures peaking at 85 degrees in July and dropping to around 46 degrees in January. Any measurable snowfall is a rare occurrence. Rain mainly falls in the winter, and seldom at that. In Norwalk, low morning clouds and sea breezes are the norm, and residents get to enjoy a total of 281 sunny days a year on average.

The real estate market

The median price for homes for sale in Norwalk, CA was a little over $650,000 at the end of 2022. This is a little lower than the 5 year high of over $700,000 which was reached in June 2022. This suggests that house prices are dropping in Norwalk, CA, however we must take into account that this house drop is a trend that has been felt across the whole real estate industry. High interest rates put the breaks on a market frenzy that took hold of the real estate market during the pandemic years, and 2023 is expected to see the continued normalization of market prices.

Dive deeper and we can see that over a five year period homes for sale in Norwalk, CA have consistently and steadily appreciated. While a real estate prices in an area can show incredible highs and plunging lows, Norwalk shows steady, sustainable growth in the value of homes, making it a very stable market for investors. Of course, no one has a 100% certain crystal ball, but an investment in Norwalk, CA property should give confidence to even the most cautious homebuyer.

What you need to know before moving to Norwalk, CA

To help you get a better picture of what it’s like to live in Norwalk, here are things you need to know.

Cost of living

Being in California, Norwalk is more expensive to live in than most other parts of the country. It is around 30% more expensive in terms of general cost of living. However, whether you’ll be better off or not in Norwalk will depend, of course, on where you’re coming from in the US. Note that Norwalk is by no means, as costly other popular regions. For example, if you’re moving in from San Francisco, which is 86% or from New York which is 80% higher than the national average respectively, you’ll be much better off. Most find that the cost of living is more than worth it in terms of the lifestyle you can have.

Transportation

If you have an electric vehicle, a Norwalk neighborhood might be a good fit. The city is equipped with four electric vehicle charging locations, with 12 level 2 charging points and 2 DC fast charging points.

Motorists can travel to and from the city via the Santa Ana Freeway, I-5; Century Freeway, I-105; Artesia Freeway, SR 91; and the San Gabriel River Freeway, I-605.

Commuters can also easily travel around Norwalk and nearby areas via bus. Norwalk Transit, the bus service provider, has five bus lines running to surrounding towns La Mirada, Cerritos, Bellflower, Artesia, and Whittier. Residents can also use the rail system operated by the L.A. Metro Transit, which offers services on the Metro Green Line from Norwalk to LAX and Redondo Beach.

Flying in and out of the city is easy with Long Beach Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, being just 18 to 27 minutes away from Norwalk by car.

Employment

Nowalk, CA offers a wide range of employment opportunities in various industries, from agriculture and forestry to arts and entertainment. As of 2020, the following fields have been recorded to have the highest paying jobs in the city:

• Administrative support
• Construction
• Information
• Manufacturing
• Professional, scientific, and technical services
• Public administration
• Waste management services

Education

If access to quality education is one of the top factors which determine where you relocate, Norwalk, CA should be high on your list of potential areas. The locality is home to some of the best public and private institutions where your children can get the education they deserve.

The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District consists of 29 schools that serve a total of 17,300 students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12. Their mission is to “develop their students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes, enabling students to become life-long learners and productive citizens in an ever-changing world.”

Living in Norwalk, CA also gives you and your family an opportunity to experience a rich, meaningful (and fun!) college experience. The following are some of the colleges and universities in Norwalk, CA or are located within a 10-mile radius from the city:

• Cerritos College. As one of the five largest community colleges in Los Angeles County, Cerritos College prides itself on providing comprehensive yet affordable education and career training. The college offers students quality programs that blend education with workplace skills for a well-rounded learning experience.

• Biola University. Biola is one of the nation’s leading Christian universities in the heart of Southern California. They offer more than 150 programs that shape their students to be relentless in their pursuit of knowledge and become contributors to building a better and just society. Biola also offers online degree and certificate programs so you can pursue your education from nearly anywhere in the world.

• Cypress College. This community college aims to help students achieve their educational goals and easily transition into their desired career path. Whether you’re interested in enrolling in a four-year university course or training for a job, Cypress likely has a program designed for you. Their programs include a transfer-oriented curriculum with 56 university transfer majors, 73 degree programs (including the popular AD-T transfer degrees), and 176 career certificate programs.

Fun things to do in Norwalk, CA

Norwalk, CA is home to various parks and recreational facilities, businesses, and cultural attractions. Here are just some of the fun things you can do in the city with your friends and family.

• Shop at Norwalk Town Square. Norwalk Town Square shopping district features various retail shops, salons, dining options, and other recreational facilities. After shopping to your heart’s content, you can rest and enjoy a drink or meal in one of the many cafe’s, coffee houses or restaurants.

• Appreciate Norwalk art and culture at Mary Paxon Art Gallery. This modern art gallery showcases the city’s vibrant art scene. Pieces from local and regional artists are featured in the gallery, and they always welcome fresh talent who are looking for a venue where they can show their craft. The Mary Paxon Art Gallery is open to the public for free.

• Relax at Vista Verde Park. Relax and unwind with family or friends at Vista Verde Park. This community park is a fantastic choice for those looking for a serene setting.

This green space is perfect for picnics and kids playtime. It’s also a great place to exercise with the park equipped with a basketball court that is free to use.

• Tour the D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum. This is one of the many fascinating landmarks and historical sites you’ll find in Norwalk. Built in the 1890s, this charming house once belonged to one of the first families in the city — the Johnstons.

  D.D. Johnston is an icon and was a prominent person in Norwalk because of his significant role in shaping the education system of Norwalk. Called the Hargitt House, it is constructed of redwood and features a gorgeous Victorian design.

• Refuel at Talias Coffee & Churro. After all the sightseeing and museum visits, take a break and refuel at Talias Coffee & Churro. This quaint cafe located in Civic Center Drive features bright furnishing and a relaxed, cool ambiance.

  They offer a range of great-tasting hot and cold beverages, from black coffee to frappuccinos. They also have churros and other sweet treats, perfect when paired with your coffee.

• Take a dip at Aquatic Pavilion. Dive in at Aquatic Pavilion. This fantastic recreational waterpark is equipped with a vast pool. Swimming lessons and aquatic workouts are available for interested guests, so if you and your family want to try something physical on your time off together, Aquatic Pavilion is a great choice.

  After burning calories from all the swimming, you can rest and grab a bite in their expansive picnic areas.

• Practice your swing at Golf N’ Stuff. If you’ve a good memory you might just remember Golf N’ Stuff which was made famous as a filming location in the classic movie Karate Kid, the original with Ralph Machio and Elisabeth Shue. Aside from that, Golf N’ Stuff is also known for the fun activities they offer for the whole family — which they have been providing for more than 50 years.

  This amusement park is equipped with arcade games, miniature golf, laser tag, batting cages, and go-karts. Constantly evolving and updating, Golf N’ Stuff is good clean fun with just the right amount of daring and excitement, and this is probably the reason why the business is still popular even after so many decades.

Working with pros to land your home

Buying a home for sale in Norwalk, California can be challenging, but you don’t have to handle it all by yourself. When you work with the experts at 24 Hour Real Estate, you get professionals who are extremely knowledgable, professional, and outright determined to make your venture as smooth as it is successful.

The team is led by Realtor and broker associate Michael Berdelis, the #1 agent in Downey, CA.

Contact Michael at 562.818.6111 or leave a message at here to schedule a consultation. You can also schedule a consultation by filling out our contact form. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you get started on your home buying journey.