Bell

This is a small community, it only takes up 2.5 square miles, yet lately it’s been getting all kinds of big press attention. And not the good kind. Eight city officials were recently arrested for misusing public funds, primarily with giving themselves large salaries. In a town where less than 40,000 live, the City Manager was raking in almost $800,000 a year in salary. Yes, more than the President of the United States. As a result, Bell is facing a huge fiscal crisis and the bad press is not making it any easier.

Regardless, this is a largely quiet, Hispanic community located along the 710 freeway in the southeast section of Los Angeles county. Neighboring communities are Bell Gardens, East Los Angeles, Cudahy and Huntington Park. Residents move here to enjoy a quieter lifestyle and less crime than their nearby neighbors, yet 17 percent live below the poverty line.

Unfortunately, there is not much to do here. Entertainment is minimal though there are some okay parks in the area, particularly, Little Bear Park, that offers a nice, clean playground for children including a water zone. There is little offered in shopping though there are several small, family run businesses here. But if you are looking for large chains, you won’t find much with the exception of a Food 4 Less and Smart & Final grocery store.

Housing is mostly older and considered affordable as it has some of the lower home prices in the Los Angeles area as a whole. Residents have claimed that the Los Angeles School District has ignored their community as spending per student is less here than the national average.

While you are only approximately 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, traffic can be a nightmare along the I-710 and I-5 freeways. Public transportation is available and highly popular.