La Puente

A smaller suburban city, just twenty miles outside of Los Angeles, La Puente is a primarily residential community with roughly 41,200 inhabitants. The city culture is heavily influenced by the Latin presence, as no less than 83% of residents are of Hispanic descent. Average temperatures in La Puente range from the upper fifties in the winter months, to the upper seventies in the summer, with sunny skies more than 280 days each year. While there are only a few attractions in La Puente itself, such as La Puente Park or the La Puente Hills, the best attractions can be found just minutes away from the city. Disneyland, Universal Studious and Hollywood are all only a short drive away. And outdoor enthusiasts will be happy to know that the both the beach and the San Bernardino Mountains can be reached within an hour.

While there are only two colleges in La Puente itself—Elegante Beauty College and the Instituto Evalangio—there are no less than seven colleges located within ten miles of La Puente. La Puente colleges range from community colleges, to liberal arts institutions to mid-sized universities. The most well-known colleges in La Puente include Whittier College, Citris College, East los Angelos College, Rio Hondo and San Antonio Community College, all of which offer students a wide variety of two- to four-year degree programs. While students of La Puente colleges are less likely to find research, internship and apprentice programs in La Puente itself, the fact that Los Angeles is only a short car ride away means that the opportunities are endless. According to city-data.com, the estimated median household income in La Puente in 2008 was $54,227, up from $41,222 in 2000. An estimated 49.7% of residents have obtained at least a high school degree, and 7.8% have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree.