How Would you Characterize Downey? (Long Beach, Norwalk: apartments, hotel, houses)

[Jmadison2]

Just curious. Wikipedia calls it south east of central LA. So is it actually part of the fabled "South Central"? Seems to be close to Compton as well.

[EscapeCalifornia]

No, not part of South Central. I know a few people in Downey. There's some nice neighborhoods there but its pretty much surrounded by crappy areas.

[californio sur]

Downey is kind of boring with lots of warehouses.

[JP001]

I have been up and down Firestone Blvd. through Downey from the 710 to the 5 many times. I don't know what you would pinpoint the area as. I'd say it's close to South Central but not quite there!

It does in fact border some nasty areas in pretty much all directions but the actual city itself does not seem bad. I'm only basing this on the main roads and not the neighborhoods. Downey does have a cleaner and more safe vibe than surrounding areas. I personally feel more welcome and safe there than in say, South Gate.

Does not seem like anything big is going on there. For me, there is a killer heavy metal record shop on Firestone Blvd. that is unlike anything else in LA! (no need to even mention Amoeba, record collectors )

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by JP001

I'm only basing this on the main roads and not the neighborhoods. Downey does have a cleaner and more safe vibe than surrounding areas. I personally feel more welcome and safe there than in say, South Gate.

That's the funny thing. You drive down Firestone and think you're in East LA, then you turn into a neighborhood and suddenly its like Leave it to Beaver with older, nicely maintained homes with manicured lawns. The people in those houses obviously have pride in them.

[BVitamin]

I like to refer to it as Debbie Downey.

[bhcompy]

Downey is half southeast LA County quiet suburb(like Cerritos, Lakewood, parts of Norwalk, east Long Beach, etc) and half something else(like the bad parts of Norwalk). Most regular neighborhoods in Downey that are removed from the lined major streets of apartments are really nice places to raise a family

[ferretkona]

I owned there for 10 years.
If you are driving thru, keep driving. Downey PD will lock you up if not a resident.
If a resident, be aware. Corrupt police.

[BRinSM]

downey has more in common with it's neighbors to the east than the west. norwalk and whittier are much more like downey than paramount or south gate. however, downey has the most depressed downtown i've ever seen. most of the storefronts looked empty last time i was in the area. the only thing left is a hotel and the high school.

[PittNewbie]

Downey is a working class to middle class mostly latino city with healthy business/shopping areas.

It is not a ghetto or barrio. the Crapenters ( brother AND SISTER TAG TEAM) WHERE FROM THERE