In the center of North Los Angeles County, this California community has been the backdrop to major Hollywood productions including Star Trek Generations and Mac and Me. Though not mentioned by name in either fabrication, Palmdale's beautiful desert is obviously why the region was picked for the films.
The science fiction features make one think about whether aliens really do land in large desert areas like Palmdale if the creatures even do exist?
Whether or not there are extra terrestrial beings who like to park in Palmdale is secondary to the fact that the locale is out of this world when it comes a great education, employment and recreation.
If you have even considered moving to California, read this guide and see why more than 150,000 locals love to call the region home as they enjoy work and play in the province.
Palmdale Climate
Palmdale is in the High Desert with hot and dry summers and cool and windy winters ruling the regional climate. December, January and February are cold and wet with high winds, with temperatures dropping down to the single-digits. With the wind chill factor it can easily feel like it is below zero in town. Though the area sees more rainfall than snow, once in a while a few inches of flurries will cover the ground. Winter averages between 55-65 degrees during the day and 30-35 degrees at night.
The next season, spring, is still a bit wet and windy. With a high of 80 degrees and a low of 40 degrees during the season, comfortable temperatures do not last long before the very hot and dry summer climate rolls in. As for fall, moderate temperatures during the short transitional season reach a high of around 83 degrees and a low of around 45 degrees.
Palmdale Neighborhoods
According to Neighborhood Scout, Palmdale has almost 40 neighborhoods within nearly 106 square miles. Each neighborhood is distinct and made up of diverse socioeconomic households. Some of the most expensive subdivisions to live in are the sectors of Leona Valley and Quartz Hill.
Some areas and streets popular for schooling are Rancho Vista Boulevard, Elizabeth Lake Road and Angeles Forest Highway. Other notable, family-friendly neighborhoods in the province are Pearland, Lake Los Angeles and City Center.
Registering Your Car
You have 20 days to register your car after becoming a state resident. To receive a registration you must provide smog and weight certification, your last issued out of state title and proof of insurance. You must pay all taxes and fees, which will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. To complete the registration process, your vehicle must also be inspected by the California Division of Motor Vehicles.
Though you have 20 days to retain a registration after moving to the region, you only have 10 days to acquire a driver's license. To receive a permit you must provide a thumb print, fill out a DL 44 form, have your photo taken, and provide your full name and Social Security number, along with passing vision, traffic laws and road sign exams.
Palmdale Schools
Palmdale has three separate elementary school districts and one high school district. The three elementary districts are Palmdale, West Side Union and Keppel Union and the high school district is Antelope Valley Union. While the three elementary school districts collectively serve 40,000 students, the high school district teaches approximately 25,000 students. And the Palmdale Aerospace Academy is a distinguished charter school run between the city, school district and AERO Institute.
Post-secondary sites are also popular in the area with many college campus teaching thousands of young adults. The Antelope Valley Community College District is a great place to obtain an associate's degree and in nearby Lancaster, students can seek out their bachelor's degree at the California State University, Bakersfield satellite campus.
Other post-secondary schools include the DeVry and Chapman Universities and the Universities of La Verne and Phoenix. The Aero Institute at the Palmdale Institute of Technology is also in town at the Palmdale Civic Center. And of course, there are plenty of private schools for students of all ages to attend if they wish to be taught a more specialized curriculum.
Palmdale Employment
As a leader in the aerospace industry, Palmdale is a great place to procure employment if you have studied or are certified in the field. The unemployment rate in the California community was at 11.6 percent in April 2013, more than four points higher than the national average of around 8 percent. However, aerospace to the rescue with Lockheed Martin employing 3,700 staff members and Northrop Grumman keeping 2,100 employees working. Retail is also a popular industry to work in with the Antelope Valley Mall employing 1,800 staff members.
As a merchant owner, the best partnership you can begin if relocating to the region is with the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce. According to the commerce's mission statement to "promote, develop, and service business, industry, and community," they constantly work hard within the district to increase economic development.
The fact that the area is zoned as an Antelope Valley Enterprise Zone and Palmdale Federal Foreign Trade Zone also helps the municipality's money matters.
Living Costs in the City
Though the cost of living in Palmdale comes in at 11 percent less than the state average, it is 16.8 percent greater than the national average. CNN Money reports a median family income of $61,105 and the median home price averaging around $150,000.
If you are looking to rent in the region rather than own, you will be pleased with a one-bedroom apartment starting as low as $550 a month. Of course, the price rises when you add more rooms, amenities and location to the list. As for utilities, all locals pay high electric costs in the spring, summer and fall as they keep their air conditioning running to combat the hot High Desert degrees.
Palmdale Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Palmdale, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Palmdale Transportation
Public transportation in town is run by the Palmdale Transportation Center. The city run service, which opened in 2005, provides convenient communal transport at reasonable rates. Between buses and rail service, residents never need to be late. For those who prefer to drive, the Antelope Valley Freeway, State Route 14, travels North and South and connects motorists to Los Angeles and Mojave.
When traveling East to West, drivers jump on State Route 138, which connects them to Inland Empire and Frazier Park. Officials are looking to offer more roadways as they plan the development of State Routes 48, 122 and 249. As for a local landing strip, residents fly in and out of the Bob Hope International Airport that is 50 miles away.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Living good is a focal point for most Palmdale locals. Between all the outdoor and indoor activities available to residents all year through, adults and children alike are always busy enjoying life. If not found shopping at the Antelope Valley Mall in any one of its trendy stores, picnicking in Littlerock Dam and Recreation area or sliding down peaks at Mountain High Ski Resort, locals can be found at the Mulligan Family Fun Center, Tippi Hedren's Shambala Preserve or Rancho Vista Golf Course.
Of course you can always find members of the community at the Aerospace Exploration Gallery, DryTown Water Park and the Starlight Concert Series. For fine fare and great story lines, locals enjoy eating at any one of the town's restaurants or seeing a production or movie in the area playhouse and theater.
Palmdale Relocation Tips
- Pack in order by sorting through rooms. Rather than tackle the whole house at once, start with one room and move on to the next only when you are completely finished with the one you started.
- Once your belongings are all boxed up, read these tips on how to load the moving truck, placing certain items in the back and others in the front to make for a much easier process.
- Once you are settled in, don't settle for being unfamiliar to the area. Find local services around town so you can get a better feel for where the post office, gym and library are.