South Gate, CA 184 Apartments for Rent

Californium, named after California, was discovered by Nobel prizewinner Glenn Seaborg who grew up in South Gate.

South Gate is your gateway to all that southern California has to offer! Driving into downtown Los Angeles takes only about 15-20 minutes, but don't fall into the trap of thinking that the only attraction of South Gate is your ability to get out of it: there are also plenty of things to love about South Gate itself. For example, South Gate Park has fantastic sporting facilities, including an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts and a skate park, so you'll have no excuses for not getting enough exercise if you move here! There will be plenty of fine, dry days to get out and enjoy those facilities: the California climate consists of long, sunny, dry summers and mild winters.

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Moving to South Gate

If you're moving to California from out of state, you might be in for a bit of a shock. House purchase and rental prices in the Golden State are well above the national average. The good news is that living out in South Gate is a lot cheaper than trying to find an apartment for rent in a major city such as LA. South Gate has some very reasonably priced neighborhoods. Take a look at the descriptions below to figure out which part of the city you want to live in.

Are you ready to search for a home in South Gate? Are you sure? You'll need to be well prepared to grab the property you want, as the vacancy rate here is only 3.95 percent, which means that there are a lot of people competing for the same few apartments. It's a bit of a battle in the home-hunting arena, so make sure you arm yourself well. You'll need pay stubs or a letter of employment to prove that you have a steady income, as well as references from previous landlords to show that you know how to take care of a rental property. You'll also need enough available cash to put down a deposit; this stops other would-be renters from stealing your perfect rental home from under your nose.

Neighborhoods in South Gate

South Gate covers an area of 7.4 square miles, so it has a variety of neighborhoods from which to choose. The Los Angeles River runs through the middle of the city, separating South Gate into its western and eastern parts.

City Center: If you're looking for a studio or one bedroom apartment, the city center is a good place to start your search. You'll have restaurants, shops, and bars right on your doorstep, but you'll also be packed in tight with your neighbors. Don't live here if you want peace and quiet; do live here if you want a variety of entertainment options within walking distance. $$$

West Bank L.A. River: The west bank of the L.A. River is a great place to live, particularly for families. Bryson Elementary School and Lynwood High School are located here, and you also have easy access to all the sporting facilities on offer in South Gate Park. $$$

East Bank L.A. River: Hop over the other side of the river for easy access to the Long Beach Freeway, which runs north to East Los Angeles. You'll also have the Los Amigos Golf Course right on your doorstep, so if you like to practice your swing, this is the place to be. This area is a little less densely packed than the neighborhoods west of the river, with some lovely three and four bedroom homes for rent.$$$$

West South Gate: The western part of South Gate adjoins neighboring towns, such as Florence-Graham to the west and Huntington Park to the north. East Los Angeles College has a campus in the western part of South Gate, so this is a convenient neighborhood for students. There are some very affordable one bedroom apartments, as well as larger single-family homes.$$

Living in South Gate

There are a lot of advantages to living in South Gate: you get the glorious SoCal climate, rents that are reasonable considering how close you are to Los Angeles, and plenty of local facilities for sport, education and entertainment. The one thing that's not to love is the traffic. Downtown LA is only seven miles away, but expect to spend at least 15-20 minutes sitting on the freeway if you're trying to get there during peak commuting times. In fact, the average resident here spends more than half an hour commuting each way to work, which is greater than the national average.

Picking your apartment according to where you plan to work can reduce your daily commute. Bedding down on the east bank of the LA river puts you very close to East Los Angeles, while the western parts of South Gate aren't too far from South Los Angeles. Within South Gate, you can use the bus to get around, to reduce the stress of sitting behind the wheel each day.

South Gate is home to a diverse mix of both people and properties, meaning there's something for everyone. Whatever your budget, background and interests, you will find a community that will accept you in this city. South Gate has plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to try out, particularly in the central region around Firestone Boulevard.

South Gate is a busy, densely populated city. However, there are also plenty of parks scattered throughout the city where you can relax in the open air. The biggest of these is South Gate Park, where you can also swim, play tennis, hockey or basketball, or eat your lunch in a shady picnic area. Hollydale Regional Park, located in the far south-eastern corner of the city, also has tennis and soccer courts overlooking the river.

Whether you are moving to California on your own, or with a spouse and kids in tow, South Gate is a great place to be. There are good schools, two public libraries and plenty of leisure facilities. Los Angeles is close enough to reach if you need to, but you don't have to pay the bank-breaking LA rents. All in all, South Gate is a good city to choose.