Moving to from Hollywood to Glendale (Burbank, Beverly Hills: condo, house, safe area)

[AngelenoDad]

Hi all - my husband and I just bought a really nice mid-century modern home in North Glendale, in the Brockmont area, which we're really excited about. We have been living in a condo in the Hollywood Hills/Franklin Village area for the past 5 years, but we had a baby last year and after several months of quarantine, we were feeling claustrophobic and ready to take the leap and get something bigger to accommodate our growing family. The house is really nice, and the neighborhood seems really pretty and quiet and safe too, from what we've seen of it.

We are, however, also a little anxious as admittedly we don't know Glendale particularly well and haven't spent a ton of time there in the past (mostly just shopping at the Americana or the Galleria, or going car shopping). I knew the area obviously had a large Armenian presence, but I didn't really think twice about it. Then I started looking on some Greatschools pages about the local elementary schools, and saw posts with parents citing having problems due to their kids being bullied and ostracized for not being Armenian, and the parents themselves also feeling isolated and ostracized by other families due to not being Armenian. Upon doing a little further research, I was also a little concerned to see that Glendale was the only area nearby that had voted in favor of the anti-LGBT Proposition 8 in 2008.

Now 2008 was a pretty long time ago, but my husband and I are gay Jews with no Armenian heritage, and just want to make sure we aren't setting ourselves, and especially our young son, up for a potentially hard time. Has anyone on here lived there/living there currently, and how was your experience? Am I getting neurotic over nothing, or should I be concerned? (We can still pull out of the deal for the next week or so, so trying to do some fast research.) Thanks in advance!

[CapnHawk]

I've been a resident of Glendale (Adams Hill) since 1976. Half my neighbors are gay and the other half are Armenian. My wife and I are the only straight, non-Armenians on our block. Problems? None whatsoever. Everybody watches out for each other and we all get along just fine. We never had children, so I'm unable to advise you on the school/bullying issue. I've never regretted making the move to Glendale.

[socal88]

This is a tough one based on my experience there. You've got some old-timer folks in the city who are neither progressive nor tolerant to put it nicely. I've also read about how there have been some ethnic tensions in the schools, although this was more prevalent 15-20 years ago. Even in cases where there isn't tension, I've heard of some non-Armenians who feel left out so to speak. Nevertheless, the landscape today is different than 2008 and there are also plenty of folks in the city who are nice people that don't create issues.

I think you have some valid concerns, which are not to be discounted, especially your concerns for your child. However, when you consider overall that it's a quiet, safe area that is generally family-friendly and centrally located with good access to Downtown LA, Hollywood, and the Valley, I think the pros outweigh the cons.

[(901)]

I heard Glendale was Trump country. You might want to put a MAGA sign in your yard

[TimTheEnchanter]

I haven't been impressed with most of Glendale's public schools. Hoover High being the exception.

I'd send my child to Burbank Montessori the first two years, then to Brighton Hall in Burbank.

Or start looking for a house in La Canada-Flintridge or Crescenta Valley. You don't need to move immediately, just before the kid hits school age.

[Jay100]

Originally Posted by AngelenoDad

Hi all - my husband and I just bought a really nice mid-century modern home in North Glendale, in the Brockmont area, which we're really excited about. We have been living in a condo in the Hollywood Hills/Franklin Village area for the past 5 years, but we had a baby last year and after several months of quarantine, we were feeling claustrophobic and ready to take the leap and get something bigger to accommodate our growing family. The house is really nice, and the neighborhood seems really pretty and quiet and safe too, from what we've seen of it.

We are, however, also a little anxious as admittedly we don't know Glendale particularly well and haven't spent a ton of time there in the past (mostly just shopping at the Americana or the Galleria, or going car shopping). I knew the area obviously had a large Armenian presence, but I didn't really think twice about it. Then I started looking on some Greatschools pages about the local elementary schools, and saw posts with parents citing having problems due to their kids being bullied and ostracized for not being Armenian, and the parents themselves also feeling isolated and ostracized by other families due to not being Armenian. Upon doing a little further research, I was also a little concerned to see that Glendale was the only area nearby that had voted in favor of the anti-LGBT Proposition 8 in 2008.

Now 2008 was a pretty long time ago, but my husband and I are gay Jews with no Armenian heritage, and just want to make sure we aren't setting ourselves, and especially our young son, up for a potentially hard time. Has anyone on here lived there/living there currently, and how was your experience? Am I getting neurotic over nothing, or should I be concerned? (We can still pull out of the deal for the next week or so, so trying to do some fast research.) Thanks in advance!

I used to work in Glendale. Just my own opinion here, I'll say Glendale is NOT West LA/Hollywood/or Beverly Hills. You will be out of that bubble. The best thing to do is to research the historical relationship between Armenians and Jewish people.