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Willmore

Willmore

$666,598 Average Value
$468 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

One of Long Beach’s oldest neighborhoods, just outside of downtown

Before Long Beach was Long Beach, it was called Willmore City, and today the Willmore neighborhood is a living reminder of those late-1800s roots. As the city's first designated historic district, the area is full of Victorian homes and bungalows with the kind of character you just can't find in newer construction. It's also a relatively lower-priced spot to buy a historic home in the Los Angeles area. You’re only a mile from Downtown, but Willmore still has a surprisingly tight-knit community feel, with single-family homes, an active neighborhood association and a central park. Plus, walkable streets and easy Metro access make it simple to get around without a car.

Historic homes come with charm and tax benefits

The architecture in Willmore includes late-1800s Victorians, early-1900s Spanish Colonial Revivals and 1920s Craftsman bungalows. “People who buy a house here are people who appreciate historic older properties and the charm that goes with older-style homes, but they still want to be near an urban environment,” says Mike Dunfee, a managing broker with the Mike Dunfee Group who has over 30 years of experience. But Dunfee notes there are trade-offs, too. “It takes a little more upkeep and effort to maintain them,” he says. “They’re going to have an older foundation; they’re going to have older utility systems … Make sure you get a home inspection and don’t expect it to come out perfect.”

Since Willmore is a registered historic district, many homes have restrictions on exterior renovations. As an added incentive, the city's Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program offers tax savings to owners of historic houses who keep their properties up to certain preservation standards.

This single-family home has a colorful trellis with flowers.
This single-family home has a colorful trellis with flowers.
You'll find bungalows with white picket fences in Willmore.
You'll find bungalows with white picket fences in Willmore.
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Some of the lowest-priced historic homes in the LA area

Condos here range from the upper $200,000s to the lower $500,000s, while single-family homes run from the lower $600,000s up to $1.2 million, depending on size and renovations. With a median single-family home price just under $900,000, Willmore is one of the pricier neighborhoods around downtown Long Beach. "It's not cheap, but it's not somewhere like South Pasadena," Dunfee says. "It's still more of an approachable price point here than other areas in the Los Angeles area that have the same historical significance."

Drake Park has green space, picnic areas and sports fields.
Drake Park has green space, picnic areas and sports fields.

Family friendly amenities include holiday events and a local park

Even though it's surrounded by city activity, Willmore still has a close-knit feel. "There's a bit of a small-town feel in the middle of everything," Dunfee says. "You'll find a real sense of community." An active neighborhood association and a local park help keep things lively and family friendly:

  • The Willmore City Community Association organizes beautification projects and community events, including the Winter in Willmore holiday celebration.
  • Historic Bembridge House is a landmark 1906 Queen Anne Victorian with Tiffany glass windows that is open for tours and community events.
  • Drake Park is a central neighborhood park with sports courts and a community center offering youth programs and adult classes.

Walkability to restaurants and proximity to downtown

Willmore is tucked away from most of the downtown bustle, but you’ll still find some local restaurants and shops. "It's more walkable than what you typically see in Southern California,” Dunfee says. Within a few blocks, you'll find spots like:

  • Leo’s Mexican Grill, a local restaurant with generous servings and an outdoor patio
  • The Hawk, a neighborhood bar with pool tables and a jukebox
  • Jed’s Market, a corner store where the cashiers get to know familiar faces
Downtown Long Beach is only about a mile away, with plenty of restaurants, bars and major events. "You can just walk out your door and go to a Day of the Dead event, a Pride festival or a beer-tasting festival, but you still get to be in a house," Dunfee says. "There's not a lot of places in SoCal where you can do that."

Just outside of Willmore, you can find dining options like Waba Grill.
Just outside of Willmore, you can find dining options like Waba Grill.
Panchos Tacos is a popular truck with a covered seating area.
Panchos Tacos is a popular truck with a covered seating area.
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Street parking can be difficult, but there's plenty of public transit

Due to the neighborhood's proximity to downtown, it can be hard to find street parking in Willmore. Most homes have back-alley parking, but some condos and duplexes may not. "You've got to factor that in," Dunfee says. "But, you're not far from parking that can be rented … And there are plenty of public transportation options, so more and more households are going down to one car." Long Beach Transit runs buses throughout the neighborhood, and some of the major roads have bike lanes.

Residents can easily hop on the A Line at a nearby Metro stop.
Residents can easily hop on the A Line at a nearby Metro stop.

Hop on the Metro to commute to Los Angeles

The Anaheim Street light rail station is less than a mile from most homes, so it's easy to hop on the Metro A Line. From there, you can get to downtown Los Angeles in about an hour or Pasadena in about an hour and a half. If you're driving, Interstate 710 is close by, and the trip to LA can take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic.

Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Michael Rutt
Photography Contributed By
Michael Rutt
Kellan Beaver
Video By
Kellan Beaver

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Long Beach (Daugherty Field)

12 min drive

Bus

Magnolia & 7th NE

Bus

Pacific & Anaheim SW

Bus

Anaheim & Magnolia SE

Bus

Anaheim & Chestnut SW

Bus

Magnolia & 11th SW

Bus

Magnolia & 11th NE

Bus

Magnolia & 9th NE

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Willmore US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 8 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
485
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1922
Months of Supply
4.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,220
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,523
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,019
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
778
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
19
Median Rent
$1,850
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,775
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,700
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,000
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$3,000
Median Condo Rent
$1,735
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,200

Demographics

Total Population
7,163
Median Age
34
Population Density
38 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$42,787
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$51,939

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
54.6%
Significantly below the national average
89%
College Graduates
11.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
% Population in Labor Force
68.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

70 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

70 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

60 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Willmore