🧭 Moving to Los Angeles
Just moved to Monterey Park?
Curated by Simir Shah
Who lands here
Chinese American and other Asian American families, including multigenerational households and newer immigrants, plus Latino families and people working in Downtown LA or at East Los Angeles College.
The vibe
Residential, hilly in places and very food-focused, with a city-run library, community parks and a monthly city newspaper mailed to every household.
Schools
Most of Monterey Park is in Alhambra Unified, but some neighborhoods are in Garvey School District for the younger grades. Check your exact address with the AUSD School Locator and Garvey's district map before you sign a lease.
Getting around
You'll want a car, but the 25-cent Spirit Bus covers the city on weekdays and Route 5 connects to the Metro E Line, with Metro and Montebello buses on the main corridors.
Finding your community
Monterey Park's Everbridge alerts let you choose your preferred language. Bruggemeyer Library runs family, baby and Spanish bilingual storytimes (no Mandarin storytime is listed). See our community guides.
Now go explore Monterey Park
A friendly orientation, not advice. Neighborhoods, schools and prices change and depend on your exact address — always verify school assignments and lease details directly. New to the area? Start with the New to SoCal hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Monterey Park a good place for families new to Southern California?
Monterey Park is a hilly SGV city just east of East LA, long known as one of the first suburban centers of Chinese American life in Southern California, with dim sum halls, bakeries and markets along Atlantic and Garfield. Chinese American and other Asian American families, including multigenerational households and newer immigrants, plus Latino families and people working in Downtown LA or at East Los Angeles College.
How are the schools in Monterey Park?
Most of Monterey Park is in Alhambra Unified, but some neighborhoods are in Garvey School District for the younger grades. Check your exact address with the AUSD School Locator and Garvey's district map before you sign a lease.
Do I need a car in Monterey Park?
You'll want a car, but the 25-cent Spirit Bus covers the city on weekdays and Route 5 connects to the Metro E Line, with Metro and Montebello buses on the main corridors.