Glendale, California
Nestled at the foot of the lushly vegetated Verdugo Mountains, the city of Glendale in California is ideally located in the commercial and cultural center of Los Angeles County. Home to over 200,000 residents, Glendale boasts unparalleled urban diversity in its 33 scenic neighborhoods, each having its own unique history and character. For many years, people have been moving to Glendale, drawn by the city’s convenient location, excellent recreation, state-of-the-art municipal services, quality education and strong community spirit. Strong community ties bind both residents and businesses, resulting in safe, clean neighborhoods, smartly designed business districts, and abundant social amenities. Moving to Glendale is the best bet for anyone who wants to experience suburban living that combines big city convenience and small town hospitality.
Economy:
Glendale is the leading regional banking center in Southern California and the third largest financial center in the state. Statistics complied by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation show 78, 636 residents employed locally in 2006 in various sectors, including education and health services, professional and business services, retail trade, finance, manufacturing, government, and leisure and hospitality. Among the principal employers in Glendale are the City of Glendale, the Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Nestle Co, Glendale Memorial Medical Center, Glendale Community College, Public Storage Inc. and the Glendale Unified School District. Businesses are moving to Glendale to take advantage of its central location, highly qualified labor force, pro-business environment, varied housing options, and excellent recreational facilities and outstanding educational system. Around 83 percent of Glendale residents hold a High School diploma or higher, while 36 percent have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. The population’s media age is 40.6 and the per capita personal income is $52,443.
History:
In 1784, Corporal Jose Maria Verdugo received from the Spanish Crown a land grant that covered most of present-day Glendale, Burbank, Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Upon Don Verdugo’s death in 1831, the property, called Rancho San Rafael, was bequeathed to his children Julio and Catalina. In 1861, the Rancho was divided between Julio and Catalina, and after a series of subsequent divisions which culminated in the court-ordered “Great Partition of 1871,” the Rancho was parceled out to many claimants, including descendants of the Verdugo family. Sections of the partitioned Rancho started to develop separate identities; some areas became more industrialized while others focused on agriculture and dairying. With the help of visionary businessman Leslie Coombs Brand, Glendale’s first railroad was built in the early 1900s, thus spurring population and commercial growth. Glendale was incorporated as a city in 1906. People and merchants moving to Glendale swelled the population from 13,756 in 1920 to 62, 736 in 1930. The 1970s brought both a surge in planned development and historic preservation initiatives. Glendale became a regional center of business and commerce as growth stabilized in the area. The city experienced another dramatic population growth during the 1980s and the 1990s, driven mostly by immigrants who were moving to Glendale. Today, Glendale prides itself in its ethnically diverse, safe neighborhoods with a strong sense of community.
Tourism:
Located in the foothills nestled between the Verdugo Mountains and the San Gabriel valley, Glendale offers excellent trails, parks and recreational facilities, while downtown Glendale has over 200 shops, boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and movie theaters that serve up world-class dining, shopping and entertainment. As one of California’s largest and highest sales tax-generating malls, the Glendale Galleria shopping complex attracts an estimated 50,000 visitors daily. Historical landmarks and architecture, like the Verdugo Adobe, the Casa Adobe de San Rafael, Brand Castle, Masonic Temple and the beautifully restored Alex Theater, provide fascinating glimpses into the city’s colorful history. Moving to Glendale means living in the cultural epicenter of California, due to the city’s proximity to glitzy, glamorous Los Angeles. World-renowned attractions like the Los Angeles Zoo, Hollywood Bowl, Dodger Stadium, Universal Studios, Kodak Theater, Staples Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History are no more than 10 miles from the intersection of Glendale’s Brand Boulevard and Broadway.
Colleges/Universities:
• Glendale Community College
• Glendale University
• Glendale College of Law
Interesting Facts:
• “Glendale” means “valley” in Scottish and Gaelic, and it is believed that the name was chosen because many of the early settlers of the region had come from the British Isles.
• For its efforts to create a healthy, livable city, Glendale has been designated as a “California Healthy City” and a “Tree City, USA” and is a certified “Keep America Beautiful” Affiliate.
• The Glendale Galleria shopping center attracts more visitors annually than Disneyland.
Helpful Links:
• City of Glendale
• Glendale Real Estate
• Glendale Dental Offices
• Glendale Storage Facility
• Glendale Moving Companies