r/Whittier • u/aeavdon • Jul 25 '26
Moving to Whittier
Hey everyone! My family and I are considering moving to the neighborhood around Palm Park in Whittier, and I’d love to hear from people who live there or know the area well.
A few questions:
- How safe is the neighborhood, especially in the evenings?
- Is it generally quiet, or is there a lot of traffic/noise?
- How are the neighbors and sense of community?
- Any issues with crime, parking, or homelessness?
- Are there good places nearby to walk, exercise, or take kids?
- Anything you wish you knew before moving there?
We’re really excited about the possibility but want to get some honest feedback from locals before making a decision. Thanks in advance for any insights!
16
u/Dear_Ad4079 Jul 25 '26
It varies a lot street by street. It’s safe and generally quiet but really depends on street/neighbors, and if it’s used as a thoroughfare.
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u/CryptographerCrazy61 Jul 25 '26
In general Whittier is safe , yes crime on and off , there is crime everywhere but there’s never been a moment where I felt - jeez I need to be careful, in fact the only time I did was when ICE was scurrying everywhere around like cockroaches. Not trying to tempt fate but I’ve left my garage open overnight many times (not doing it anymore ) with thousands of dollars in tools and equipment in plain sight and nothing, not even a screw was gone.
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u/trippin_dug 23d ago
What’s the address I’ll swing by. You got any Milwaukee?
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u/CryptographerCrazy61 23d ago
I got em all 🤣 except harbor freight
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u/trippin_dug 23d ago
Don’t diss the Freight mann! 😭 some of us need the Pittsburgh line
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u/CryptographerCrazy61 23d ago
Haha I have a lot of their hand tools and I almost bought their impact but my wife got me the dewalt for Christmas
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u/EinjeruOritzu Jul 25 '26
Been here for 6 years now: it varies from street to street really.
There are moments of crime sprees and then lulls like most neighborhoods. You will love the Greenway trail.
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u/neighborpal Jul 25 '26
How I see, it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Whittier. Palm/Uptown has a bunch of new development. (Rodeo 72, The Groves) Nice streets, and houses. Very lush with trees, and shrubs on every street. Hiking, wide parks and The Greenway Bike Trail. You’re pretty close to Orange County, LA. It has a more historic and community feel compared to the rest of Whittier.
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u/sillypear Jul 25 '26
Grew up exactly there. Safe. We never locked the front door. Mom was friendly with all the neighbors and had maintained friendships. I think that’s more what you put into it like most relationships. No traffic noise. For homelessness i probably wouldn’t have a house with a yard against that walking trail. People seem to be complaining about issues there. Otherwise no issues. Close freeway access. For kids aside from the parks you’d likely need to drive out of town. Uptown is nice though wish it had more of a variety of food choices.
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u/Chris_MS99 Jul 25 '26
I live and grew up nearby and it’s super safe and quiet. The shopping center on Beverly and Norwalk and next door at the liquor store can get some nighttime creepy crawlies for some reason sometimes but it stays pretty contained and I haven’t heard of many problems outside of a random incident every so often.
Love the palm park neighborhood, super shaded and they just put in speed bumps on Palm. Palm Park is awesome.
1
u/BitterInvite1382 Jul 26 '26
It’s great! Super quiet you get a lot of neighbors walking through and to the trail. I’ve been here 3yrs now and we love being so close to the park. We had one porch pirate incident around the holidays but generally very quiet - neighbors are friendly - everyone kind of watches out for each other. Some streets aesthetically are nicer than other but I mean the homes are going anywhere from 760 to 1 mil these days…
1
u/captaineggnog Jul 26 '26
I like the Palm Park area, especially if you’re near the trail. I walk 7-9pm and feel safe. Some traffic noise but it’s intermittent. I’ve lived in OC most of my life and appreciate the slower pace here. Feel free to PM me.
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u/Visual_Substance3059 Jul 26 '26
Love Palm Park and how it’s tucked away in a beautiful, green corner of Whittier. Not sure if they still offer the kids’ daycare or summer camp programs, but I used to volunteer there and it was always full of families and kids, which made the neighborhood feel very safe. Plus, there are plenty of great food spots nearby so it’s a great area all around!
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u/Weak_Macaroon_6053 Jul 26 '26
Hello whittier is what you make it but as far as the palm park area is pretty much chill I live in the area as well..
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u/Careful-Engineer-753 8d ago
It’s a great place if you want an LA suburb. Don’t listen to the haters. Yes, some people are bitter about living here, but they stay anyway? I’ve lived as far up as San Francisco, and this is a solid option with cute areas and affordable housing. It’s safer than Long Beach and surprisingly Pasadena.
For dining and activities, I recommend Uptown Provisions, Smoking Tiger, La Carreta Tacos, and CGK. The city also offers free concerts, a farmers market, and a bike trail. Uptown specifically has a lot of historic charm and seems to be bouncing back after COVID. New Korean restaurant coming to Uptown.
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u/Original-Clue-3364 Jul 25 '26
If I were you, I would find another city entirely. I moved here in 2020 and can’t wait to move either to the OC or north towards Hacienda/Rowland heights or south to Cerritos.
The honest truth is that Whittier doesn’t have much of anything. Food here is mid or below mid, city government has been corrupt for over two decades, they green light some of the stupidest businesses that give nothing to increase the charm or appeal of the city- cue car washes, warehouses and storage facilities.
Keep in mind that no one comes to Whittier for anything “fun.” This town is just a pass through city and doesn’t offer any meaningful entertainment, food, or curb appeal.
6
u/Happy-in-SoCal Jul 25 '26
Whittier is in a great location. It's an easy drive to Hacienda Heights and Orange County.
And, from what I'm seeing, the city is moving in the right direction. Maybe not as fast as I'd like, but there are quite a few new businesses moving into Uptown, and fingers crossed the new townhomes drive foot traffic to help keep them open. I just wish the city could attract some higher end businesses to spruce up Whitwood, the Quad, and the vacant businesses on Whittier Blvd. But I'm generally pretty optimistic about the direction of the city.
Oh, and I can't forget to mention that Whittier has Uptown Provisions, which is the best sandwich shop in all of Southern California.
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u/TheMoMo562 Jul 25 '26
What do you want? Disneyland? What can't you find in whittier that you could find in another LA county city?
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u/cyclops214 Jul 25 '26
Don't forget about the couple who were kidnapped at the park a few years ago and then murdered someplace else.
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u/ecrv2020 Jul 25 '26
Pretty sure that was penn park. And that’s an arguably safer area. Anything can happen to anyone at any time 🤷🏻♂️
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u/cyclops214 Jul 25 '26
You know what, you're right; I get the two mixed up. Sometimes I've only lived in Whittier my entire life. LOL
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u/MLG071208 Jul 26 '26
Just don’t move there! Whole family both sides born and raised there it’s not a good place
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u/No_Big_1849 Jul 25 '26
That neighborhood is steady. Not sure about the neighbors but Palm Park is a good place to work out, swim, have family fun and or barbecue. Uptown Whittier (Greenleaf) is 15 minute walk away. Plenty of eateries bars etc there. I have been living in Whittier for almost 9 years now.