A 2022 study by SmartAsset, which examined the 200 largest cities in the U.S., ranked Santa Clarita as the ninth happiest city in the country. One reason for that was its high quality of life.

Indeed, many experts agree that Santa Clarita is one of the top places in the nation for attaining a fulfilling quality of life. Let us take a look at some of the essential traits that make the city consistently rank highly.

Affordable and Diverse Housing

In comparison to other vibrant cities in California, like Anaheim and Los Angeles, Santa Clarita has affordable housing. For instance, while the median sale price for properties in Los Angeles is $912,500, it is only $700,000 in Santa Clarita.

Furthermore, Santa Clarita’s real estate market is well-known for its diverse housing options. People on varying budgets can afford to live in the city happily, whether they are homebuyers or renters. With less stress about rent or mortgage costs, and a community of diverse people, Santa Clarita ensures a high quality of life for its residents.

Open Spaces and First-class Health Facilities

Seeing as Santa Clarita is surrounded by open space, with numerous glorious hiking and biking trails, residents love spending time in The Great Outdoors, which is surely a contributing factor as to why Santa Clarita consistently ranks as one of the healthiest cities in the U.S.

Furthermore, healthcare services in the city are top.

From the award-winning state-of-the-art Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to the high-tech specialty care facility of Kaiser Permanente, residents in Santa Clarita are able to access some of the best healthcare services in the country.

High-performing Schools

Santa Clarita also consistently ranks among the top communities in California, specifically for families, because of its high-performing public schools. Almost two-thirds of Santa Clarita’s elementary schools have been given the accolade of California Distinguished School at least once. In fact, the city’s schools have received almost ninety different awards since 1986. The schools in Santa Clarita consistently rank among the top 10% in the state.

A High Level of Safety

According to FBI statistics, Santa Clarita consistently ranks as one of the safest cities, of its size, in the country. And according to the SmartAsset study, it has the seventh-lowest violent crime rate in the U.S. Coupled with excellent public safety programs, the low crime rate enables residents in Santa Clarita to feel more secure and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Diverse Employment Opportunities

With employment opportunities in sectors like finance, retail, marketing, and healthcare, and major employers like Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Princess Cruises, Santa Clarita provides a diverse range of careers and positions.

Plus, with close proximity to Los Angeles, further additional employment opportunities, across many industries, are available. So, residents enjoy a dynamic and diverse job market, and many companies offer the potential for career advancement.

Indeed, many companies in Santa Clarita ensure they put their employees first. For instance, many have employee recognition programs that recognize high-achieving or long-standing employees, such as by giving out years of service acrylic awards, to help their workers feel valued.

A Strong Community Spirit

In addition to affordable housing, top health facilities, high-performing schools, the high level of safety, and diverse employment opportunities, Santa Clarita residents maintain a high quality of life due to the fact that Santa Clarita has a strong community spirit. There are plenty of events and opportunities in Santa Clarita each year to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, from local parades to cultural events.

Plenty of Attractions and Things to Do

There are numerous fun and relaxing things to do in Santa Clarita, from visiting theme parks to engaging in outdoor recreation. Santa Clarita is also only a short drive away from beaches.

Residents and visitors enjoy doing things like shopping at the seasonal farmers’ markets, exploring historic houses, dining at fine restaurants, and hiking around the picturesque Castaic Lake, to name just a few of the options on offer.

Other things to do include:

• Visiting the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park, which features amazing roller coasters and family-friendly attractions. 
• Exploring the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, where you can immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of a unique geological wonder.
• Diving into history at the William S. Hart Museum, which provides an intimate look into Hollywood’s silent film era, spotlighting actor William S. Hart’s intriguing life story.
• Strolling through the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, which offers beautiful trails for hiking and potentially spotting wildlife.
• Tasting wine at the award-winning Agua Dulce Winery and learning about winemaking in a picturesque setting.

With so many things to do, coupled with the other above traits, it is no wonder that Santa Clarita consistently ranks as tops in terms of quality of life.