Where do the best water polo players come from? Not Atlantis. The truth is, the best water polo players in the world came from a low profile, small town in Los Angeles County called Commerce, California. Dubbed the Water Polo Sports Capital of the World and birthplace of four-time Olympic medallist Brenda Villa, you can imagine what their favorite sport is.
Covering a modest 6
Where do the best water polo players come from? Not Atlantis. The truth is, the best water polo players in the world came from a low profile, small town in Los Angeles County called Commerce, California. Dubbed the Water Polo Sports Capital of the World and birthplace of four-time Olympic medallist Brenda Villa, you can imagine what their favorite sport is.
Covering a modest 6.5 square miles, the city of Commerce in California boasts of things that are far from being modest. Take its state of the art Aquatorium (not even Percy Jackson's town has one), which groomed USA's most winning swim teams and water polo athletes. There are also things unique to the city, like the presence of pedestrian heroes called the "Crossing Guards" and an absolutely free bus ride. Couple these wonders with a strong community spirit and a thriving commercial vibe plus the proximity of famed California beaches outside your doorsteps and you have the City of Commerce, one of the top picks for places to live in California.
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Packing Up and Moving In
Any time is a great time to move to the city of Commerce in California. However, be it spring summer or fall, don't schedule moving in when pollen concentration is rather heavy, especially in California where the flora, fauna and beach places mixed with urban traffic can affect humidity. While summer is a great season to move, warm breezy days tend to increase pollen counts. The good thing is the seashore is an effective refuge for pollen allergy sufferers. Check weather conditions first to schedule the most convenient time or season for moving in.
For any kind of transaction involving rental properties in Commerce, it is advisable to consult with an experienced real estate attorney for leasing, purchasing, closing settlements and a thorough review of real estate contracts. It also ensures that you contact only the most professionally managed rental properties. While still in the preparation stage, clarify with the rental property agent important things like smoking or non-smoking apartments for rent, or if the places to live in Commerce you are eyeing are pet-friendly or a strictly no animal zone.
While each property owner or agent may require slightly different documentary requirements, the basics to prepare include your Form 1040 or Individual Income Tax Return form that will be assessed to check your capacity to pay your lease. Company and government-issued identification cards are also among the primary documents required. Documents pertaining to your income sources and a record of your rent history should might be requested to check your capacity to fund post-dated checks. Also, don't be too surprised if you're asked for a credit report or background check.
For those wanting to be tenants of an all utilities paid apartment or rental condos, prepare your character reference list well since landlords in Commerce will definitely go over them to check your personal background, especially for strata-titled or shared amenities rental condos or apartment complex.
Commerce is great for both renters and owners because the market is pretty evenly split between the two. Detached homes, which usually have at least two bedrooms, do dominate the market, but apartment complexes and smaller apartment buildings come in second.
The Neighborhoods
For the most part, neighborhoods in Commerce are really just divided up street sections, like the freeway lanes Telegraph Road and Olympic Boulevard, which connect residents to major transport lines, wide beaches and destinations far up and down LA.
Montebello: Montebello, on the other hand, is one of Commerce's only true neighborhoods. At about eight square miles, it offers great views of placid terrains and can be checked out for beautifully remodeled homes and even a luxurious two-bedroom apartment for rent. It has great access in and out of Los Angeles through airports, the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports, and freeways 60, the 710, 605 and 5. Montebello offers a number of parks including the Grant Rea Park and playground and the Bicknell Park as well as the Montebello Municipal Golf Course for a tee time diversion.
Living in the City
Aside from being the Water Polo Sports Capital of the World, the City of Commerce is also hailed as the Model City referring to the "team" spirit exhibited by the its pioneering residents and business leaders in 1959 who created a model city plan designed for optimum commerce and residential co-existence, resulting to the best-of-both-worlds vibe of the present.
Both businesses and residents are offered some incentives not available in other U.S. cities. These include a business-friendly atmosphere with low licensing fees, no gross receipts tax, no local property tax and no utility tax. For residents, the free city-wide bus transit, the first in the U.S., is a major deal, providing around 800,000 free passenger rides annually. They also enjoy free yearly bulk item pick up service. Indeed, Commerce is the model city for today's freeloaders bent on being tomorrow's business leaders.
As for public establishments, the Rosewood Park Community Center and Aquatorium on Harbor Street remains a valued landmark, home to the Commerce Swim Team and Water Polo. The Commerce Public Library on Jillson Street, one of four libraries the city prides itself with.
Outlet shopping and recreation is provided by the Citadel Outlet Mall in Telegraph Road and for dining, Stevens Steak and Seafood House on Stevens Place is a certified favorite. Stores in the mall include Adidas, Fossil, Old Navy, DKNY and Guess.
After shopping, you can head over to Xris Burger, Casa Cabral Restaurant, Waba Grill or The Green Olive for some grub.
Getting in and around Commerce is a breeze as the city is about 10 minutes from downtown LA, 20 from San Gabriel Valley and 25 from north of Anaheim. The Los Angeles International Airport and the Ontario International Airport are not more than 40 miles of the city. The Metrolink commuter train makes a daily stop in Commerce.
Indeed, the City of Commerce is a top-of-mind choice for those who wants their city-by-the-beach lifestyle turn into reality.
