Arcadia

About Arcadia

Arcadia is a vibrant city in California's Los Angeles County. It lies at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 21 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Arcadia has earned the title of one of America's Best Places to Raise Your Kids, winning the award from Bloomberg Businessweek for multiple years running.

The History of Arcadia

Arcadia was settled in the mid-19th century and grew rapidly after 1875, when real estate speculator Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin purchased and developed a large area of land in its vicinity. Arcadia was officially incorporated in 1903. Another period of growth occurred in the 1930s, when its small farms and chicken ranches gave way to modern buildings and homes. Arcadia continued to grow during a period spanning the end of the World War II to the 1960s, spurred by the increased demand for quiet, suburban communities away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Living and Working in Arcadia

No matter what time of the year it is, there's always something to do. During summer, you can enjoy concerts by the California Philharmonic, which plays a series of shows at the historic Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. In winter, a popular local event is the horse races at Santa Anita Park, Southern California's oldest racetrack.

Arcadia is ideally situated for businesses and commuters alike, just off California State Highway 134 and close to Interstates I-5, I-10, I-210 and I-605. Santa Anita Park is one of Arcadia's most unique employers. This world-class thoroughbred racing facility hosts key racing events including the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap. Arcadia is also home to the headquarters of a number of prominent businesses, including IDModeling, ARC Engineering and the brand marketing and sales office of Joico/ISO.

Arcadia Schools

Arcadia Unified School District is a small but highly-rated school district headquartered in Arcadia that serves most of the public schools in the city. The high-quality schools in Arcadia have played a large part in its status as one of the top-rated communities in the region and the country.

Resources for Moving to Arcadia

If you're getting ready for a move to Arcadia, the following information will be useful:

• Utilities: Arcadia's primary utilities providers include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, SoCalGas and Southern California Edison.
• Garbage and Recycling: Waste Management provides collection services for both recycling and trash.
• Transportation: Arcadia Public Transit facilitates public transportation options in the city, and there's also a Gold Line Foothill Extension connecting Arcadia to its neighboring communities.

Arcadia Housing

Arcadia stays true to its motto "Community of Homes" by remaining a primarily residential area. It's also one of the most expensive cities in the region, with a median home price well above the million-dollar mark. However, there are many luxury homes and expansive estates in the city that contribute to this high average price. You can find smaller family homes of two to three bedrooms for slightly less than the average price.