La Mirada

About La Mirada

One of Los Angeles County's "Gateway Cities," La Mirada is a growing urban community on California's Pacific Coast. With a convenient location about an hour from downtown Los Angeles, La Mirada has attracted thousands of transplants from across the country who want to take advantage of the city's gorgeous weather and diverse culture. The city has earned a spot on several "Best Places to Live" lists, attracting attention for its arts and culture programs as well as its recreational amenities.

The History of La Mirada

In 1888, Andrew McNally and Edwin Neff purchased the land that's now La Mirada. A large portion of the land was designated as McNally's personal ranch, surrounded by large citrus and olive groves. McNally constructed a plant to process the harvested olives into oil, earning a reputation for producing the highest-quality olive oil in the area. He also built a railroad station, using it to ship his olive oil and citrus all over the nation.

McNally would become the land's last private owner, as he went on to create a community of ranches by selling off a parcel at a time. Advertisements for the land included scenic photographs of the flourishing groves of citrus, olive and walnut trees, as well as the olive oil factory. His descendants sold over 2,000 acres of property in 1953, and after just three short years, several thousand homes had been built. This was the beginning of the City of La Mirada, which was officially incorporated on March 23, 1960.

Living in La Mirada

La Mirada has experienced moderate growth over the years, thanks to its close proximity to Los Angeles. Moreover, thanks to low crime rates, various local amenities and a stable housing market, the city scores well in terms of livability, although the cost of living is high.

Although it can be expensive to live in La Mirada, the unemployment rate is significantly lower than both the state and national averages. In addition, the poverty level in the city is dramatically less than the national average. You'll find a variety of good jobs with high median incomes, which makes the area an attractive place to settle.

Two of La Mirada's most notable attractions are La Mirada Theatre and the Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center. At La Mirada Theatere, you can enjoy a range of performances, including traveling Broadway musicals, comedy shows and concerts. Splash! offers a large water park, a variety of swim lessons and competitive teams, birthday party facilities and special events.

La Mirada Schools

La Mirada is part of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, which includes elementary, middle and high schools. There are also several private schools in the area.

Resources for Moving to La Mirada

Here are a few handy resources to help you plan your move to La Mirada:

• Utilities: The city's energy providers are Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas. Golden State Water Co. and Suburban Water manage local water services.
• Garbage and Recycling: You can expect curbside collection of trash and recyclables in most areas of La Mirada.
• Transportation: There are several public transportation providers in and around La Mirada, including Metrolink, La Mirada Transit and the Orange County Transit Authority. The city also offers curb-to-curb transportation services that you can utilize as a La Mirada resident.

La Mirada Housing

La Mirada comprises about 10 distinct neighborhoods, offering a wide variety of budgets and lifestyles. The median home value in the area is higher than the California average but fairly in line with many cities within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.