Safe and affordable area near Cerritos/Norwalk (Fullerton, Whittier: rental, HOA fees)

[amykkk]

I work around cerritos/norwalk area and is looking for a place (either house or townhouse, but no one above or below) within 30 min drive during rush hours (I heard it's against traffic from both north and south directions, but never drove on freeway during rush hours so I am not sure).

I am a young professional in the mid-20s and I have a limited budget. I am more looking for a future investment property instead of a "home" since I am pretty sure I will move to a nicer place if I get married or have kids in the future. Currently, I am looking for a place that is conveniently located and easy to rent out as a rental property in the future. My budget for 2 bed/2bath is no more than 220k and for 3b+/2b+ is no more than 300k. I am not willing to pay more since since it will be hard to have a future positive cash flow if I pay higher than that price. However, since I am not very familiar with this area, I am afraid the properties within my price range will be in very run down neighborhoods and not safe in to live in.

I currently rent in Cerritos but it's definately not in my price range. Is there any other safe yet affordable neighborhoods near by that fits in my budget?

Thank you very much!

[EscapeCalifornia]

What's up with the user name?

[amykkk]

My last name starts with K so just a random user name. Anything wrong?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by amykkk

My last name starts with K so just a random user name. Anything wrong?

Have you ever heard of the kkk?

[amykkk]

hmmm...not really....Maybe I should go change my user name...

[bhcompy]

your budget would put you in areas like norwalk, santa fe springs, whittier, etc that wouldnt be bad drives, but have a higher probability of being a bad area. and thats if the prices have dropped that much

one place you may want to look is hawaiian gardens. i dont know what the townhouses are going for right now, but the area off carson east of norwalk blvd is safe enough and improving

you can also find some condos in rossmoor(technically seal beach zip, but behind rossmoor center) under 300k, but the hoa fees are very high

[amykkk]

From my research, I see some choices in the following neighborhoods, but not sure how these neighborhoods are:
La Mirada, Buena Park, Fullerton, Placentia, Whittier, Montebello, downey, anaheim, tustin, la habra

I am not considering these areas since I heard they are really bad: Norwalk, santa ana, and anywhere west of cerritos.

[amykkk]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

your budget would put you in areas like norwalk, santa fe springs, whittier, etc that wouldnt be bad drives, but have a higher probability of being a bad area. and thats if the prices have dropped that much

one place you may want to look is hawaiian gardens. i dont know what the townhouses are going for right now, but the area off carson east of norwalk blvd is safe enough and improving

you can also find some condos in rossmoor(technically seal beach zip, but behind rossmoor center) under 300k, but the hoa fees are very high

Thanks and I am checking out Hawaiian Garden on redfin now. I see some townhouse south of carson and east of norwalk, very close to cypress, thanks for the option!

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by amykkk

Thanks and I am checking out Hawaiian Garden on redfin now. I see some townhouse south of carson and east of norwalk, very close to cypress, thanks for the option!

I should warn you it's a very hispanic area that was once gang ridden, but the city has done a lot to improve it and crime isnt a major issue anymore. I don't want you to think the place is the same as Cerritos, it would be more similar to Artesia if you were to look at a general neighborhood. I grew up a block up in east Lakewood and my grandfather lives in the same neighborhood I suggested to you, so I wouldn't suggest it unless I thought it was a safe place to live.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

your budget would put you in areas like norwalk, santa fe springs, whittier, etc that wouldnt be bad drives, but have a higher probability of being a bad area. and thats if the prices have dropped that much

one place you may want to look is hawaiian gardens. i dont know what the townhouses are going for right now, but the area off carson east of norwalk blvd is safe enough and improving

you can also find some condos in rossmoor(technically seal beach zip, but behind rossmoor center) under 300k, but the hoa fees are very high

I was advised about 1 month ago that Hawaiian Garden has a serious gang problem and to steer clear of that area.