15 Things to Know Before Moving to Glendale, CA
The Los Angeles suburb of Glendale is located approximately 10 miles north of Downtown LA, where the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley meet.
Brand Boulevard, the town’s primary north-to-south commercial corridor, is located in this area and is primarily responsible for most of the area’s fame.
As more and more people are moving to Glendale, it’s best to know what life here is like, if you’re planning to make the move too. Here are fifteen things to know before moving to Glendale, CA!
1. Glendale has a long immigration history
The Glendale region, like the rest of Southern California, was originally inhabited by Native Americans, then dominated by the Spanish, then ruled by the Mexicans, and finally became part of the territorial United States. California was officially admitted to the Union as a state in 1850, the year following the start of the gold rush. The original townsite of Glendale was established in 1884 and given its name by townspeople, and the city was incorporated in 1906.
One reason for Glendale’s strong sense of community is the area’s history of immigration. The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) displaced many Armenians and Lebanese, many of whom settled in Glendale. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, a new group of immigrants arrived to join friends and family in the city.
2. Get around using Metrolink
Glendale’s convenient access to Downtown Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California is made possible by the local commuter rail system, Metrolink. Commuters in Los Angeles can now take advantage of public transportation lines as an alternative to driving, making their daily commutes less stressful. Ridership on Metrolink continues to rise thanks to the expansion of existing lines.
3. Have a great time playing golf at world-class courses
The City of Glendale Community Service Program manages Scholl Canyon Golf & Tennis Club, a municipal 18-hole course with gorgeous views of Los Angeles and the Pacific.
The elite Chevy Chase Country Club features a 10-hole golf course (yes, you read that right), a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a fitness center. Hikers, walkers, and equestrians can enjoy the three public courses in the park to play on in Griffith Park. Both the Wilson and Harding Courses are 18-hole layouts designed for championship play.
4. Glendale is big on environmental health
In 1928, Glendale was recognized as the first city to be named “Miss American Green Cross” by a group whose mission was to protect America’s trees. Also, the Indigenous Tree Law has been in place since 1982, safeguarding local trees and ensuring that the city maintains its eco-credentials.
5. Shop at Glendale Galleria or Americana at Brand
People from all over the region still flock to the brick-and-mortar malls in Glendale, even though we now live in the age of online shopping. The downtown region is dominated by two enormous shopping malls, which also happen to be adjacent to one another. There are many retailers, from Target to Macy’s, at the Glendale Galleria, making it a popular shopping destination. There is also a ton of free parking available.
Just across the street from the Galleria is where you’ll find the Americana at Brand. This park-like complex features a brand-new shopping mall (2008) and several high-end movie theaters. Tiffany & Co., Apple, Kate Spade, Nordstrom, and Sur La Table are examples of upscale businesses there. In addition to the office space and retail, Excelsior at Americana at Brand also features a residential complex with 100 condos.
6. Check out the Brand Library and Arts Center
There is a special emphasis on visual arts and music at the Brand Library and Arts Center, making it different from most public libraries. The library not only provides the standard services expected of a library but also hosts art, dance, and music-related instructional programs for children. Free seminars and museum exhibitions are also available for adults.
7. Learn about the city’s history at Catalina Verdugo Adobe
Catalina Verdugo Adobe (1828), a remnant of the former Rancho San Rafael and the city of Glendale’s oldest documented building, is a popular destination for history buffs. The conservation regulations of the town have ensured that it has remained intact till today.
In 1847, the leaders of the United States and Mexican armies gathered under the historic Oak of Peace to negotiate the terms of a surrender that would bring an end to the Mexican-American war. The tree is revered as California’s proverbial “Mother Tree.”
8. Cheer on teams at nearby stadiums
Although no major league clubs have made Glendale their home, locals love being close to Los Angeles’s many stadiums and arenas. Just off Interstate 5 is Dodger Stadium. Crypto.com arena is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, where basketball fans can watch the Lakers play, and hockey fans can cheer on the LA Kings. Los Angeles’s football club and Angel City’s soccer team both play their opponents in Banc of California stadium, which is only three miles from Crypto.
Seven miles from the heart of Glendale is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where UCLA plays its home games and where USC and the Bruins square off against Midwest opponents on New Year’s day following the annual parade.
9. Living here costs 93% more than the national average
Considering the fact that Glendale is so close to Los Angeles, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that the cost of living in this suburb is on the high side. Glendale’s cost of living index is 192.7, almost 93% above the national average. But wait till you find out the cost of housing.
Housing is really expensive in this area, with the median home price almost tripling the national average at $1,062,703. So yeah, good things don’t come cheap.
10. You can’t escape Glendale traffic
The heavy traffic is another drawback. Sometimes the traffic is unbearable. Due to the way the roads are carved out, route 134 cuts across to the east , connecting two major freeways that head south and connect to five others that head northeast.
As a result, main thoroughfares are constantly congested, including side streets. Some major thoroughfares often experience some congestion during peak traffic times, such as lunch and morning rush hours. If you’re planning to move during those times, it’s best to be prepared for the traffic.
11. Glendale has terrible air quality
When it comes to air quality, Glendale is dead worst of all U.S. cities. The high levels of ozone are responsible for an estimated 1300 premature deaths yearly.
The prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory problems can rise in areas with poor air quality, so if someone in your household has asthma or other respiratory system diseases, it may be a good idea to consult a medical professional for advice before you move into the city.
12. One of the safest cities in California
Because of its reputation for safety, Glendale is consistently ranked among the top 10 safest cities in the United States. Compared to other California cities in the year 2022, Glendale’s crime rate was among the lowest.
When compared to the rest of the country, violent crime is 73% lower in this area. The city has a violent crime rate of only 9.8, much lower than the national average of 22.7.
13. A vibrant health and entertainment industry
Especially in the entertainment sector, Glendale is home to a thriving economy. In addition to being home to Nestle and Public Storage, Glendale is also where the Disney studios are headquartered. The location is ideal for those who want to be close to the action in the entertainment district and the nearby studios.
Glendale is also home to three different medical facilities, including Glendale Memorial Hospital. The presence of these numerous establishments provides many employment opportunities for residents.
14. Enjoy a mild climate and lots of sunshine
With an average of 285 sunny days a year and consistently mild temperatures throughout the year, Glendale has a Mediterranean climate. July and August are the hottest months, with average highs of 87 degrees Fahrenheit and 88 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Average highs in December and January are a mild 67 degrees Fahrenheit and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows of 41 degrees Fahrenheit and 42 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively.
You won’t need your ski gear unless you intend to go skiing in the neighboring San Bernardino Mountains. As far as annual snowfall is concerned, Glendale receives exactly zero inches annually. The average annual rainfall is 19 inches, which is less than half the US average of 38 inches.
15. See a play at the Glendale Alex Theatre
The Alex Theatre in Glendale was originally constructed as a vaudeville theater in 1925 and has since become a popular destination for seeing top-notch performances. This once-major cinema house now hosts a wider variety of performances, from concerts to ballets to the occasional visit by the Glendale Symphony Orchestra.
In Conclusion
Living in Glendale comes with a lot of benefits. There’s the shopping opportunities, tons of fun places to go, favorable weather, and a thriving economy. However, one should also consider factors such as the cost of living, poor air quality, and bad traffic.
