Living in Glendale means enjoying one of LA’s true gems. Just south of the Angeles National Forest and nestled against the Verdugo Mountains sits Glendale, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles.

Glendale offers some of the best shopping in the city, friendly neighbors and green space for miles. It’s a lovely place to call home or for work. Whether you’re a local, new to the area, or planning a visit, read on for 7 reasons why we love living in Glendale.

1. Location, Location, Location.

Anyone who lives in Los Angeles knows that it is a city made up of dynamic neighborhoods that have diverse characters and attributes. The key to surviving the sprawl is finding somewhere you can call home that gives you access to everything you need—without spending hours in the car. Glendale occupies the sweet spot between quiet Pasadena and trendy Los Feliz, with easy access to busy I-5 and CA-2/Glendale Freeway (that’s “the 5”; and “the 2,”; in local-speak) to get you around town.

For frequent flyers, Glendale is just a quick drive from Hollywood Burbank Airport, one of LA’s best-kept secrets for getting in the air without the hassle and commotion of LAX.

Glendale might not be beach-adjacent, but there’s still plenty to do around the neighborhood to keep you busy (see #3).

If you’re considering a move to Los Angeles, don’t forget to check out this La-La-Land guide on our blog.

2. There’s Something for Everyone.

From young professionals to growing families to anyone looking for a quieter retirement option, Glendale’s many neighborhoods offer options for just about everyone. There’s vibrant Downtown Glendale with plenty of dining and shopping options, Adams Hill for a low-key but hip vibe, Verdugo Woodlands for upscale homes and great schools, and Montrose when you want a neighborhood built for walking (and that’s just to name a few).

Araceli McMahon-Mendoza, the Public Storage district manager who oversees the Glendale area, says that Glendale feels like a city set apart from the hectic energy of other neighborhoods like Downtown LA.

“We have a lot of families who store with us in Glendale, but there are also a lot of entrepreneurs here as well,”; she says. “I love working with the small businesses and the mom-and-pop stores because they really represent the community. You can really see how the small businesses in Glendale work together here.”;

3. You’ll Never be Bored...

Los Angeles features a never-ending assortment of activities, and Glendale is no exception.

Nearby you’ll find the Museum of Neon Art and the historic Alex Theatre, where you can enjoy live performing arts or catch a movie surrounded by Hollywood history. The Autry Museum of the American West is just a short drive away in Griffith Park when you want to dust off your spurs and do your best John Wayne impression.

There’s the iconic Americana (and Galleria), which draws shoppers from all over the city who want to stroll the open-air mall, catch a movie and visit the infamous Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. But there’s more to Glendale than just retail therapy.

Glendale also offers several ways to enjoy la’s year-round sunshine, including the Descanso Gardens, Verdugo Mountains, the Deukmejian Wilderness Park and Brand park.

4. There’s Plenty to Cheer About.

While no professional sports franchises have settled in Glendale, residents relish close proximity to stadiums and arenas where their favorite la teams play. Dodger Stadium is just down the 5 freeway. Lakers fans enjoy basketball games and hockey fans cheer the LA Kings nearby at Crypto.com arena in downtown LA. Just three miles from Crypto is Banc of California stadium, where the LA football club and Angel City soccer teams meet their rivals.

The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is only 7 miles from the center of Glendale for UCLA’s home football games—or to see either the Bruins or USC battle it out with Midwest opponents on New Year’s day after the annual parade.

5. It’s Family Friendly.

While Glendale attracts Angelenos of all ages, families are especially drawn to the area for its abundant green space, plentiful housing options and excellent school system. In fact, Glendale was actually ranked #13 on a list of healthiest Cities in America, and #27 for cities with the best public schools. It also has a low crime rate, which is a major factor in courting families from LA’s sprawling metropolis.

6. Public Storage Calls it Home.

Public Storage has over 2,200 locations across the globe, but we proudly chose Glendale as our headquarters. We love all the communities we serve, but as they say—there’s no place like home.

And our team members love working at Public Storage. In 2022, Public Storage was named one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles, the Best Operations Team, and Best Company Outlook, according to the career site Comparably.

Employees also rated us one of Forbes’ America’s Best Large Employers of 2022.

Did you know the first Public Storage location opened in El Cajon, California in 1972? Want to read more about the unique history of Public Storage? Our blog has the surprising backstory on how we came to be.

7. It Has a Rich History.

Public Storage isn’t the only company that has set up shop in Glendale. Both Dreamworks and Disney employees have created some of the most notable entertainment of the past half-century from desks in Glendale.

Since its inception in the early 1900s, Glendale has been home to ranchers, railroad employees and politicians. To date, Glendale has 11 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Brand Library & Art Center (pictured above), which is housed in the 1904 estate of Glendale pioneer Leslie C. Brand.

The city is also home to the original Forest Lawn cemetery, where you can pay respects to luminaries like Walt Disney, Elizabeth Taylor and Nat King Cole.

And as a bonus for all you Los Angeles history buffs, don’t miss the story behind one of our most famous landmark buildings! It’s a doozy of a story—and a doozy of a building, located just 5 miles from Downtown Glendale.