Up until about 40 years ago, Quartz Hill relied heavily on its almond orchards. Even though it has been decades since they were destroyed, the area still proudly hosts the Almond Blossom Festival annually.
Quartz Hill is a census-designated place in the eastern part of Los Angeles County. So it's not exactly within walking distance of the beach or downtown L.A. -- unless you plan to walk for an hour -- but it is near the fairly well-known cities of Lancaster and Palmdale. It is also about a half hour away from Angeles National Forest and Castaic Lake. That means if you like the idea of being a reasonable drive away from the coast, lush trees, and lots of canyons and lakes, you'll probably appreciate Quartz Hill just as much as its 10,912 residents do.
Moving to Quartz Hill
If you are not familiar with the area, it's a good idea to get to know a bit about it before you put down roots. Even if you only plan to stay on a short-term basis, you should learn the types of homes and prices you will come across as you try to find places for rent in Quartz Hill.
Home Prices
As you begin your search for apartments or houses in this area, you will notice that the prices here are not that bad, at least for a place to live in California. The median rental and purchase prices are higher than the national average but lower than the state's average, so it could definitely be worse! The only downside is that the cost of living here is a little higher than average, but hey, that's kind of a given considering the state.
Searching for a Home
The vacancy rate in this area is about the same as the country's rate as a whole. So you don't need to feel too rushed looking for places to live in Quartz Hill, unless maybe you're just excited to start your search for your next home. Whether you are looking for a one bedroom apartment or a house with lots of space, you can prepare for the process by bringing a brief summary of your rental history, proof of income, and a check for any necessary deposits.
Types of Homes
The vast majority of housing in this area consists of single-family homes. And though you won't find hi-rise big city apartments in Quartz Hill, you will see a handful of small apartment complexes available. The median age for homes here is about 32, which is just a little newer than the national average. Of course, if you look hard enough, you can find some homes built before 1970 and after 2000 if you're into homes built in those time periods.
Quartz Hill Neighborhoods
Being a census-designated place, Quartz Hill is not huge. That being said, its area of more than 3.5 square miles is pretty impressive for a place with such a small population. Of course, with so few people, there are no clear cut neighborhoods here. But you can still get some idea of what it's like in each part of Quartz Hill.
Northern: If your intent is to live as close to Lancaster as you can get, this area should suffice. It features mostly homes, but sprinkled among the housing are some schools and a few businesses.
Southern: This part of Quartz Hill is just north of Palmdale, and this is where you will find lots of places to eat and shop. Fast food places like Carl's Jr., Pizza Hut, and Del Taco are just the tip of the iceberg. This area also features Scramblez Caf̩, Broken Bit Steakhouse, and Primo Burgers. Plus, there's also Quartz Hill Public Library, Albertson's, and Walgreens. So it's pretty much in the center of all the action!
Western: When you live in the western part of this CDP, you get the benefit of being a few minutes closer to the ocean. Sure, it's still a little over an hour away, but every second counts when you are headed for a day at the beach, right? Plus, this is where you will find George Lane Park, Quartz Hill Pharmacy, and Riga Tony's Pizza and Pasta.
Eastern: Want to be fairly close to a local freeway and Prime Desert Woodland Preserve? Then look for a home here! As a bonus, this area boasts El Toreo Far West, Del Taco, and Wienerschnitzel, so it's definitely worth a look.
Living in Quartz Hill
Looking at the activities and businesses available in this area, it seems the most popular thing to do is just eat, drink, and hang out. You're okay with that, right? The eateries here range from Medrano's Mexican Restaurant and Sagebrush Caf̩ to Clasico Tacos & Pizza and Office Sports Bar & Grill. So basically, no matter what kind of food you are in the mood for, you will be happy in Quartz Hill.
Of course, being a small area and all, what really makes this place exciting is the presence of so many attractions that surround it. Go a little east and you'll end up in Lancaster or Palmdale, both of which have lots of stores and eateries. Head south for about 20 minutes and you will hit Angeles National Forest, which features the Devil's Punch Bowl Park. After an hour of driving farther south, you will end up in a little ol' city called Los Angeles.
If you decide to go north, you can get to Bakersfield in about an hour. And then there is the area west of Quartz Hill. Technically, when you start heading west, you will get to Castaic Lake State Recreation Area before anything else, but eventually you will reach Los Padres National Forest and then Santa Barbara and its beautiful beaches. So what's not to love about Quartz Hill?