Firstly why Glendale, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Glendale
• State: California
• Population: 201,361 people
• Glendale’s quick summary would be Renowned for the historic Alex Theatre and the sprawling Glendale Galleria.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 25,000 annually
• Net Migration: -5000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,500
• Number of Homeless people: 800

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a diverse economy and cultural amenities appealing to families

Perk #1: Glendale Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 37%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 51%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $83,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Glendale is $93,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $10000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Glendale’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 155 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $4,843
• Property Tax %: 1.04%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,850
• Rent for an average house: $2,900
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Montrose
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Glendale, Burbank, La-Crescenta, South-Glendale, and probably could include Los-Angeles
• Avg. Age of Homes in Glendale: 67 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.5%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Glendale’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Glendale are  Media, Entertainment, and Retail
• Glendale Job Scene: growing job market in healthcare and retail
• The General Tech Scene: developing tech scene centered on media, entertainment, and software development
• Glendale Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Glendale: 10.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 200 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 21

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Glendale

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $170 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-5 runs through Glendale connecting it to the greater Los Angeles area
• Commute Time: 27 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening bottleneck on Brand Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 62 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Glendale: 90,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 8 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Glendale: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 68 of 100
• Local Airport: Bob Hope

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Glendale’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
• General Weather in Glendale is best described as experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters with light rain
• Winter Weather in Glendale i’d describe as mild with rainy spells
• Spring Weather in Glendale can be described as mild and dry
• Summer’s in Glendale are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Glendale is usually warm and pleasant
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 23 days in summer
• Days in a row in Glendale below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 16 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality predominantly due to traffic
• Glendale Winter Air generally good air quality occasional pollution spikes

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Glendale Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Glendale 5
• While the number of trade schools inside Glendales’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Glendale Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Glendale Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Glendale only Doctors is about 170
• Local Hospitals here is  6
• Full-time Glendale only Police Officers is about 180
• Crime Rate Index: 20/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Glendale’s Monthly utility bill average is $210
• Glendale’s Monthly Gym Membership: $68
• Glendale’s Water Quality Score: 74

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Glendale

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 9 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: suburb with a mix of shopping dining and cultural attractions
• You might enjoy performances at the Alex Theatre
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Glendale  has a diverse nightlife with trendy bars restaurants and a variety of live entertainment options

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Glendale

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features diverse dining options with a mix of casual and upscale
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 60 scattered around Glendale
• The Popular Sports Team is Glendale College
• Top Level Political Climate in Glendale can be described as diverse urban center leaning progressive on many issues
• Glendale’s Longer standing religious establishment is Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Glendale Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Glendale has 30 Parks?
• Glendale Memorial Park is Glendale’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Glendale Farmers Market normally open Sunday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and outdoor festivals

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Glendale Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Glendale can be described as busy suburban city with a focus on shopping and the arts
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Glendale visiting the zoo exploring parks attending festivals
• The Cities people commute to from Glendale are Los-Angeles 9 miles away Burbank 6 miles away Pasadena 17 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Glendale or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening bottleneck on Brand Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Glendale’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Montrose is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Glendale are Los-Angeles 9 miles away Burbank 6 miles away Pasadena 17 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Glendale has 0 days in a row below freezing and 23 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Glendale people have an average (positive or negative) $10000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   800 homeless people living in Glendale. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse urban center leaning progressive on many issues could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Glendale.

Retiree & Senior Life in Glendale

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for property tax reductions based on age
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Glenwood
• Glendale Senior Center hosts activities fitness programs and provides community resources for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Glendale, California?

If Glendale, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Glendale, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!