Laurel

Laurel is working class neighborhood sandwiched up against the Mac Arthur Freeway just to the south of Diamond. The homes in this neighborhood are, for the most part, really weathered-looking bungalow deals that look like they date back to before 1950 (almost half of the homes here do). There are also a number of the boxy types of apartment I associate with the 1970’s.

There are also, however, some restaurants and stores along Mac Arthur Blvd. For example, there is Gerardo’s (a good Mexican place) and King Kong BBQ. There used to also be a really cool gay bar here, Velvet, but it looks like it didn’t make through the Great Recession.

You can also, by the way, get a tattoo or piercing at the a place called Dragon’s Lair.

There is also the Imani Community Church, which fashions itself as a “Progressive, Afro-centric Community of Christians.” I really like that formulation and it points to the amazing diversity in this neighborhood with just about every race equally represented here.

That said, however, things look just a little bit too run down for me. I’m not sure I would enjoy living here.