What to Know Before Moving to Downey

Welcoming and close-knit, Downey offers a refreshing urban-suburban feel while being within arm’s length of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and a host of attractions & destinations.

City Tidbits

With a population hovering around 115,000, Downey is by no means a large city. This is a blessing, however, and affords residents a fantastic mix of urban convenience and suburban comfort. The community is known for two main things. One is that it was home to the Apollo Space Program, and the other is that the oldest McDonald’s in operation on the globe is within city limits (as well as the first Taco Bell restaurant). Once occupied by the Tongva people, and then attracting many Irish settlers, later on, Downey eventually became a major center for dairy production.

Attractions and Amenities

Having been home to the Apollo Space Program and Space Shuttle, it’s only fitting that one of Downey’s biggest attractions is the Columbia Memorial Space Center. There’s also the Hathaway Ranch Museum and Downey Museum of Art if either one of those is more up your alley. Along with a host of bars, restaurants, and shopping centers, the city is home to several parks and hiking trails. One popular spot is Rio San Gabriel Park, which is a dog-friendly space, along with Wilderness Park. And if you want to get away, LA is right down the road!

Lifestyle

Offering a nice blend of business and residential elements, Downey offers high diversity, excellent schools, and family-friendly living. With its close proximity to LA and various other hubs, the city also attracts many ambitious and youthful professionals. There’s a strong sense of community, and people are generally very friendly here. There’s a host of attractive amenities, and the city has done a great job at supporting business growth. Overall, if you’re looking for a pleasant alternative to what you’ll find in Los Angeles and other surrounding areas, Downey is definitely a fantastic place to call home!

Cost of Living

So, you might have made a beeline to this section. Whether you’re moving from another county or state, living expenses are a huge consideration when it comes to moving to this part of California. Southern California, in general, is a costly place to live. Fortunately, Downey offers savings. When compared to its neighbor to the northwest, Los Angeles, the overall cost of living – this includes housing, groceries, and utilities – is approximately 10% cheaper than LA. Looking to purchase a home? You’ll discover some nice deals here, again with the median home value more than 10% lower than that of the City of Angels. Enjoy the relative savings!

Job Opportunities and Employers

Looking for work in or around Downey? Located less than 25 minutes from Los Angeles, there is an endless list of career opportunities at your disposal. Of course, if you want to keep it a local affair, the city offers a nice variety of work. From construction to education to medical, there’s a fit for pretty much anybody. Meruelo Enterprises is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) that specializes in construction solutions. For medical professionals, Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest employers in the area. Stonewood Center (aka Stonewood Mall) is another popular employer, as well as Downey Unified School District.