Valencia

About Valencia

Valencia is a flourishing community in the city of Santa Clarita, California. The area was originally established as part of California's effort to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles via the Southern Pacific Railroad, but now exists as its own distinct region of Southern California. Valencia boasts a dynamic culture and is home to the California Institute of the Arts. The city is commonly recognized as the location of Six Flags theme park.

The History of Valencia

The Santa Clarita area that includes Valencia was first home to Native American tribes, later witnessing a Spanish expedition in 1769. It was considered as a mission site but was passed over in favor of land nearer to the Santa Clara River. However, future settlers found interest in the area, especially with the nearby discovery of gold. Gold, railroads, real estate and ranching brought significant income and growth to the Santa Clarita area, and Valencia and its neighboring communities expanded.

Valencia was established as a master-planned community in the 1960s, a process that has continued over several decades. In 1987, it was one of four communities that combined to incorporate as the city of Santa Clarita.

Living in Valencia

Valencia is well-known for being a safe, family-oriented community and prides itself on being a walkable area. There are walkways connecting all parts of the city, making it possible to safely walk or bike anywhere within it. The city has received recognition for being a top city in the nation for raising a family, with top reasons being it's low crime rate and highly-rated education.

The community of Valencia is divided into a number of small villages, each one maintaining a unique identity and personality. Many of the villages have schools, parks and shopping within their borders or nearby. Safety in Valencia is also supported by many of the villages' neighborhood watch programs.

If you're planning on moving to Valencia for work, the city offers a diverse number of jobs, within the education, health, retail and professional sectors. The unemployment rate in Valencia and the surrounding city of Santa Clarita is lower than the state average, which is good news if you're looking for a job in the area. It's not uncommon for Valencia residents to commute throughout Santa Clarita and the surrounding area for work.

Valencia Schools

Two districts — Castaic Union Elementary and Newhall — serve Valencia's public schools. The districts include charter schools in addition to traditional campuses, and consistently receive state-wide recognition for high performance.

Resources for Moving to Valencia

Here are a few quick resources to help you plan your move to Valencia:

• Utilities: Southern California Edison and The Gas Company are the community's central energy providers. A few different water districts manage the water and sewer services for the surrounding city of Santa Clarita.
• Garbage and Recycling: Residential trash and recyclables collection are provided by Waste Management. You can also take advantage of up to three bulky-item pick-ups a year.
• Transportation: City bus and the Metrolink provide easy access in Valencia and the city of Santa Clarita.

Valencia Housing

Valencia is a desirable area to live in and is within driving distance to some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California. For these reasons, you should expect housing to be a significant expense. With both houses and apartments to choose from, there's a diverse selection of housing available in Valencia.