Bell Gardens area for black male? (Los Angeles, Long Beach: high crime, neighborhoods, to live in)

[NyWriterdude]

Originally Posted by socal88

Regardless of race/ethnicity/etc., you should not move to Bell Gardens unless you absolutely cannot afford any better area. Plus, not a really happening place for your age. But yes, being black in an almost all Hispanic area certainly doesn't help.

It's never a good sign when your area has a casino and you're not Vegas, Atlantic City or on a Native American reservation. All the casinos in LA county are in run-down, bad areas (mostly south LA) that give false hope to poor people in those area. So if that's any indication, avoid Bell Gardens.

What's your upper limit on rent? Let's help you find somewhere better.

I grew up Black in a very Hispanic neighborhood, and I speak Spanish perfectly fine.

Don't speak for the experiences of all Black people.

The OP doesn't have a car, and I'm not sure if the OP can immediately get a car. Therefore the OP if he doesn't live in Bell Gardens will be living in something similar.

[socal88]

Originally Posted by NyWriterdude

I grew up Black in a very Hispanic neighborhood, and I speak Spanish perfectly fine.

Don't speak for the experiences of all Black people.

The OP doesn't have a car, and I'm not sure if the OP can immediately get a car. Therefore the OP if he doesn't live in Bell Gardens will be living in something similar.

All I'm saying is that there is likely more downside than upside. Blacks have been specifically targeted by Hispanic gangs in areas like northeast LA (Highland Park, etc.) as well as the not so good parts of the San Gabriel Valley.

Also, not having a car doesn't mean that you have to live in a run-down, marginal area. Please explain the logic behind that. There are better areas such as the adjacent Downey as well as Lakewood, which isn't too far away. The OP can take the bus from these areas assuming that he can afford rent in these areas. The bus really isn't that bad. The bus ride will be a little longer, but I'd sure take that commute if it means I can live in a safer area.

[amazinmets73]

Originally Posted by NyWriterdude

Well you already got the job so congratulations. I thought Bell Gardens was decent when I was there.

I think you'll be fine there. If after living there for awhile you want to move to some other neighborhood, you can do that.

You'll need a car eventually but first you may want to settle into your job and save up money first.

My thoughts exactly. I don't have much wriggle room financially atm so it's best to go with the cheap option and upgrade later

Thank you!

[amazinmets73]

Originally Posted by socal88

Regardless of race/ethnicity/etc., you should not move to Bell Gardens unless you absolutely cannot afford any better area. Plus, not a really happening place for your age. But yes, being black in an almost all Hispanic area certainly doesn't help.

It's never a good sign when your area has a casino and you're not Vegas, Atlantic City or on a Native American reservation. All the casinos in LA county are in run-down, bad areas (mostly south LA) that give false hope to poor people in those area. So if that's any indication, avoid Bell Gardens.

What's your upper limit on rent? Let's help you find somewhere better.

Any room up to 700 per month including utilities within a 5 mile bike ride to commerce. Sadly, not much help to be had

[amazinmets73]

Originally Posted by NyWriterdude

I grew up Black in a very Hispanic neighborhood, and I speak Spanish perfectly fine.

Don't speak for the experiences of all Black people.

The OP doesn't have a car, and I'm not sure if the OP can immediately get a car. Therefore the OP if he doesn't live in Bell Gardens will be living in something similar.

Yea, I spent the majority of my childhood in a Hispanic(Puerto Rican) area of NYC. Had no issues. However blacks their Rican/Dominican neighbors in NYC don't have the history of race related violence that the black and Mexican gangs in socal do

[Chelito23]

I actually lived in Bell Gardens. It is perfectly fine. Most people who post negatively about it would do so about most heavily Hispanic working class communities. It is reasonably affordable for LA County and has quite a few good shopping options for what it is, it's clean, well taken care of, etc. There are even a few African Americans that shop and work there. You might want to ask them if they would feel comfortable living there as a black person...their persepctive would be different than mine.

Also, crime is not what it was 15 years ago...and a lot of people's perception is rooted in what happened over a decade ago.

If you need to be within biking distance, you also have Bell and Southgate as options. But IMO Bell Gardens is the nicest. Downey is going to be more expensive but there might be some cheapish places near the border with Bell Gardens.

[Suburban_Guy]

NBA superstar James Harden was from there, so it can't be all that bad.

[Cream1]

Originally Posted by Suburban_Guy

NBA superstar James Harden was from there, so it can't be all that bad.

Not sure what an NBA player being from there has to do with the quality of the neighborhood.

[2Easy]

I would never recommend that a young, black male move to a Mexican neighborhood in LA. That being said, I have a relative that lives in south gate with a Mexican gf and he says he likes it although he knows that he stands out.

[2Easy]

Originally Posted by Howiester

Not sure what an NBA player being from there has to do with the quality of the neighborhood.

He did ok for himself.