Locations close to Los Angeles are popular with those who want to relocate to California, offering the proximity and the opportunities without the hustle and bustle of city life. One such place is Simi Valley, which is often high on the list of potential destinations for those who want to relocate to California. Here are a few facts and figures that might help you to make up your mind.
The population of Simi Valley is almost 124,000, which is an increase of more than 10% since 2000. People want to move here because it is close to Los Angeles, with the population growth supporting this. The area is also popular because of its proximity to the coast. People often move here because they want to spend more time outdoors and make the most of the location, with many previously living in cities such as Los Angeles.
One of the downsides is the cost of purchasing a new home. The average home price is currently more than $460,000 and house prices have increased by an average 17.5% over the last year. This trend is set to continue and now is a good time to buy in this area; however, it does mean that you will need a higher than average budget when you are property hunting.
Another downside to Simi Valley is the cost of living. At more than 60% higher than the national average, living here is really going to set you back financially; however, the expense could be worth it for the quality of life. There is much to consider if you want to move to Simi Valley and one of these factors is whether your budget can take the strain.
If you are moving to the area with a family, you need to know about the schools. The average school spend per student is $10,282, which is lower than the national average of $12,435. The student-teacher ratio is also higher than average, with around 24 students for each teacher in the area. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there are many areas where student-teacher ratios are much lower.
Next up is the issue of jobs. The good news is that the unemployment rate is more than 1% lower than the national average and the outlook for the area is considered positive. Over the last year the number of work opportunities in Simi Valley has increased and there is no reason to think this is going to change.
The average commute for those who live in Simi Valley is around half an hour. This is slightly higher than the national average and is mainly due to the number of people who live here but work in Los Angeles. If this is what you want to do, remember to allow time to get through the city traffic in the morning.
