Downey

An area that’s both self-contained and close to the city of Los Angeles, Hollydale is a neighborhood with no shortage of conveniences. This section of LA County has a wide inventory of homes, too, that are accessibly priced in relation to much of the region. <br><br>Most houses in Hollydale were built across the early-to-mid 20th century. These homes come in rambler and bungalow layouts, with custom touches here and there, where it's the color of their facades or the organization of their floor plans. The options here include a mix of single- and multifamily houses, too. Square footages in Hollydale typically hover between 1,000 and 2,000, and homes fill lots of between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet. Many of these homes include attached garages as well. <br><br>The residential blocks of Hollydale are neatly organized in grid fashion, with houses built along straight-line streets, many of which include sidewalks partially shaded by assorted trees. The homes in Hollydale usually come with price tags that range from the $500,000s to $1 million, depending on the square footage and the condition. “We have very low inventory, so everything sells pretty quickly now,” says local Realtor Carrie Uva of 25 Hour Real Estate. Homes that hit that market last just about 10 days on average, she adds. <br><br>Part of Hollydale’s appeal is that it balances its sleepy residential sectors with access to a multitude of amenities. Paramount Boulevard is one of the chief destinations to find these, lined with restaurants and other businesses. One of the popular spots here is Velma’s Cafe, which features traditional Mexican cuisine, with modern flavor. Guests really enjoy the chilaquiles at Velma's, featuring crispy tortilla chips with all the fixings. Head down the road for dessert afterward from Pasteleria Tres Luceros, known for its churros and tres leches cake. <br><br>Hollydale has multiple grocery stores nearby as well, convenient for picking up essentials. This includes Vallarta, a Latin supermarket known in part for its fresh produce. There’s also a Super A Foods in the vicinity, which has a popular bakery department. A Food4Less supermarket and a Walmart Supercenter are options for residents on the opposite side of the neighborhood, across from Interstate 105.<br><br>This neighborhood’s list of amenities includes multiple parks, too. The most prominent is Hollydale Regional Park, a 56-acre space along the Los Angeles River, with a playground, tennis court, multiple athletic fields and an equestrian center. There’s also a dog park here and an access point for the almost 10-mile Los Angeles River Trail along the water, a partially paved path ideal for cycling, jogging, walking and horseback riding. Downey Park is a spot conveniently close to residents on the east side of the neighborhood, which stretches almost 8 acres, with basketball and handball courts, athletic fields, a playground and a walking trail. <br><br>Students in Hollydale may attend schools in the Paramount Unified School District or the Downey Unified School District based on where in the neighborhood they live. A pathway for students in the Paramount Unified system is to start at Hollydale School for kindergarten to eighth grade, an institution that exposes students to colleges through its virtual field trips, allowing students to explore campuses around the country. From Hollydale students can move on to Paramount High School, whose graduation rate bests the state average, at 93%. The average rate is 87%. <br><br>Those with addresses in the Downey Unified School District can go to Ward Elementary, which is on Niche’s list of standout elementary schools in the Los Angeles area, boasting an A- overall rating. This kindergarten through fifth-grade institution has a National Blue Ribbon Award in its recent history for its academic performance. Sussman Middle is a nearby school for Grades 6 to 8. Sussman has the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. The area’s Warren High has five dozen clubs students can choose from, and a 97% graduation rate. <br><br>There are portions of Hollydale that various companies use for warehouse space, from packaging and paper company Veritiv to Mitco Global Logistics, a shipping company. This brings jobs to the area. Plus, Hollydale sits right along Interstates 105 and 710, which commuters can use to head north into Los Angeles — it’s a trip of just about 15 miles. <br><br>This access is part of what makes Hollydale such a well-rounded area, and one that grabs the attention of so many.