Glendale Neighborhood Guide

Glendale is a large independent city between Downtown LA and the San Fernando Valley, known for its shopping districts, hillside neighborhoods and diverse community.

This guide gives renters a general overview of Glendale: what daily life is like, how people get around and what to look for in an apartment. Neighborhood conditions change, so visit at different times of day and talk to residents before you sign a lease.

Living in Glendale

Glendale has a busy downtown with The Americana at Brand and the Glendale Galleria, plus a growing number of mid-rise apartment buildings. It is home to a large Armenian American community, and its neighborhoods range from walkable downtown blocks to quiet hillside areas near the Verdugo Mountains. The historic Brand Library and Art Center sits in a park at the foot of the hills.

Getting around

Glendale is near several freeways, including the 134, 2 and 5. Metrolink and Amtrak stop at the Glendale Transportation Center, and the city runs the Glendale Beeline bus system alongside Metro bus lines.

Things to do nearby

• Shopping and dining downtown
• Brand Library and Art Center
• Hiking in the Verdugo Mountains
• Local parks and community events

Housing and renting

Rental options include new downtown buildings with amenities as well as older apartment buildings and homes in residential areas. Glendale has local tenant protections in addition to state law; check the City of Glendale for current rules.

For official information on tenant protections and housing programs, see the City of Glendale website. California’s statewide rules, including limits on rent increases and just-cause eviction protections for many units, may also apply. The California Courts’ landlord and tenant self-help pages are a helpful starting point.

Apartment hunting checklist for Glendale

• Visit the block in the evening and on a weekend to check noise and parking.
• Time your commute during rush hour, by car and by transit.
• Ask whether parking, laundry and utilities are included.
• Ask whether the unit is covered by rent stabilization or a state rent cap.
• Check cell reception and internet providers available at the address.
• Look for natural light, storage and air conditioning, which matters during hot summer days in much of Los Angeles County.
• Never send money for a unit you have not seen in person.

Related guides

• Rental application tips
• How to find an apartment
• Apartment moving checklist
• Rent affordability calculator