Bell, CA 139 Apartments for Rent

Bell, California, at just two and a half square miles, is one of the smallest cities in the US.

One of the best things about Bell is that it's a 15 minute drive to L.A., and it's muchless expensive than actually living in the big city. In fact, that's why most of Bell's residents choose to live here.

Things to Consider When Moving to Bell

When considering your move to Bell, one thing you don't have to worry about is transportation. If you don't have a car, that's not a problem, as the bus system is very extensive and, shockingly, actually runs on time. You can get all around the city by bus -- if don't feel like walking or riding a bike a whole 2 miles to get around. The buses will also take you into L.A. and the surrounding area.

You'll also want to consider what type of place you want to live in. Despite its small size, apartments aren't exactly thick on the ground and tend to be small buildings rather than large apartment complexes. Much more common are larger options, like three bedroom apartments for rent.

So you still want to move to the 13th smallest city in America? Well, it's pretty easy to do, so long as you keep a few things in mind.

It's a Small Place

Because of its size, you should spread your net wide while looking for your dream one bedroom apartment. Focusing on one area could mean you will have to take up to a month to find the right place for you, whereas by looking all over the city, you could be moving in by the end of the week. And again, Bell is super small for a city, so even if your favorite cafe is a few blocks away, it really isn't that far: go out and get some exercise.

References Are Your Friend

Bell is a less exclusive city but it's a decent place, so having a list of references, for example from your employer, former landlord, a well paid politician, etc, can open up some doors for you. It can also really improve your negotiating position, possibly enough to gain that coveted all bills paid apartment. So beg, buy, threaten, or blackmail some nice people to get their support.

Bad Credit?

If you have no credit or bad credit, be ready to admit it and explain why. As long as you have some decent references, look nice, and are open about it, you can still rent a place. You won't get an all utilities paid apartment, but you won't be paying through your nose to rent a place.

Neighborhoods of Bell

There are several neighborhoods in Bell, but they can really be combined into three.

West Bell: Generally the best place to find an empty apartment; it is also the least expensive place to live.

Central Bell: It's not quite as easy to get a place here, as the average vacancy rate is 4.5 percent. Also, the prices are higher here. They're still reasonable for California, which actually isn't saying much.

East Bell: Full of single family homes, it does have a few apartments and complexes. East Bell is considered one of the hipper parts of the city, thanks to its restaurants and nightclubs.

Daily Life in Bell

Bell does offer a decent amount of parks and community areas for its size, so you can get out of the house and enjoy a bit of nature. It also has a good number of cafes, stores, restaurants, and clubs to spend your paycheck in. But best of all, it's easy to leave and enjoy the sites and places all around L.A. So you'll always have things to do. If you have to work in L.A., Bell is a good place to save money and still enjoy all the benefits of this great area.