Living in Simi Valley CA can be absolutely spectacular! The Chumash people inhabited the area of Simi Valley for thousands of years before Spanish settlers arrived in 1770. The Spanish settlers took control of the area and turned it into a farming and agricultural community. Americans gained control in 1865 and developed citrus and walnut farms. People began steadily moving to Simi Valley at this time.
Developers began building homes and subdivisions in Simi Valley in the 1960s. The city of Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969. Simi Valley gets its name from "Shimiyi," which is a Chumash word that refers to the stringy clouds in the area.
Simi Valley is now a residential community with convenient access to top outdoor attractions and Los Angeles. What is Simi Valley known for? It's known for being home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and other attractions. Is Simi Valley a nice place to live? Yes, it is a nice place to live for anyone who wants to maintain an active lifestyle, start a family, or explore Southern California. Living in Simi Valley CA can be a great opportunity for anyone.
But you shouldn't start moving to Simi Valley just yet. You should learn more about what Simi Valley offers and make an informed decision on where to live in the community. Here's what to know about living in Simi Valley CA and the benefits of living in Simi Valley CA.
Where Is Simi Valley?
Where is Simi Valley, and what county is Simi Valley in? Simi Valley is in Ventura County, inside the Greater Los Angeles area. How far is Simi Valley from Los Angeles? It is 41 miles from Simi Valley to Los Angeles, and Simi Valley is a suburb of Los Angeles. Simi Valley does not border Downtown Los Angeles, but it borders Santa Susana, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, and Oak Park. Simi Valley is also near San Fernando Valley and cities in San Fernando Valley.
The City of Simi Valley is inside Simi Valley, a large valley surrounded by mountains and hills. The center of Simi Valley is well-developed with cul-de-sacs and commercial areas, but the outer edges of the community consist of mountains and protected natural areas.
Simi Valley Transit Services provides public transportation for residents living in Simi Valley CA. Simi Valley Transit Services offers fixed path bus routes that connect with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. Simi Valley residents can use the Simi Valley Transit services maps to see where stops and routes are. Many people moving to Simi Valley fly in from Hollywood Burbank Airport or drive in.
Simi Valley Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Simi Valley population in 2020 was 126,356, up by 1.7% since 2010. Simi Valley is the third-largest city in Ventura County, behind Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. The Simi Valley population density is 3,041.4 people living in Simi Valley CA per square mile, over six times the Ventura County density.
Notable people living in Simi Valley CA include Shailene Woodley, Joey King, and Dallas Braden. Simi Valley demographics include:
- 50.7% female, 49.3% male
- Median age of residents living in Simi Valley CA: 42.9
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Simi Valley CA: 63.3% White (55.5% non-Hispanic), 27.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% two or more races, 10.7% Asian, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income of residents living in Simi Valley CA: $117,703 (roughly 20% higher than the California average)
- Educational attainment of people living in Simi Valley CA: 90.9% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 37.4% have a bachelor's degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Simi Valley CA: 18.2%
Simi Valley is one of the most affluent communities in Ventura County. 23.1% of households living in Simi Valley CA make at least $200,000 a year, higher than the California and Los Angeles metro rates. Only 7.7% of residents living in Simi Valley CA live below the poverty line, less than two-thirds of the state rate. The per capita income of residents living in Simi Valley CA is $53,828, over $5,000 higher than the state per capita income.
Is Simi Valley safe? Yes, Simi Valley is one of the safest communities in California. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Simi Valley crime rate: 946 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Simi Valley CA (50.2% lower than the Oxnard crime rate, 66.7% lower than the California crime rate, 59.3% lower than the national rate)
- Violent Simi Valley crime rate: 95 crimes per 100,000 people living in Simi Valley CA (81.0% lower than the California crime rate, 74.3% lower than the national average)
- Property Simi Valley crime rate: 851 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Simi Valley CA (63.7% lower than the California crime rate, 56.5% lower than the national average)
The Simi Valley Police Department employs 111 sworn police officers living in Simi Valley CA, who respond to all emergencies in the city.
Simi Valley Cost of Living
Simi Valley cost of living statistics can be hard to find, so you can use Los Angeles cost of living statistics to make estimates. The Los Angeles cost of living index is 148.9, meaning items in and around the area cost 48.9% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Ventura County would need to earn $148,197 a year to cover their cost of living.
Is Simi Valley expensive? Simi Valley can be expensive. However, you can reduce the Simi Valley cost of living by sending your children to public schools and renting Simi Valley real estate after moving to Simi Valley.
Simi Valley real estate can be pricey, though you have options for upscale homes. According to Redfin, Simi Valley homes for sale have a median price of $850,000, with an average price per square foot of $507. According to RentCafe, Simi Valley apartments have an average rent in Simi Valley CA of $2,636 a month.
Typical Simi Valley Living Expenses
- 12 regular eggs: $4.36
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $4.99
- 1 pound of onions: $1.11
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $5.08
- Average Simi Valley utilities per month: $250.00
- 1 pair of Nike running shoes: $60.00
Source: Numbeo
Simi Valley Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Simi Valley
Simi Valley has a few neighborhoods you can examine before moving to Simi Valley. Here are the best places to live in Simi Valley after moving to Simi Valley.
Bridle Path | Upscale Simi Valley Neighborhood Popular Amongst Horse and Dog Owners
Bridle Path is a community of 630 homes for sale in southwestern Simi Valley. It's the best place to live in Simi Valley California for horse owners, as the community has equestrian trails and seven arenas. Bridle Path Simi Valley is also well-known for its scenic views of mountains where you can go hiking and rock climbing. Bridle Path homes for sale cost over $1 million, but all Bridle Path homes for sale contain at least three bedrooms and cover at least 2,500 square feet.
Corriganville | Most Affordable Simi Valley Homes for Sale
Corriganville was formerly the site of Corriganville Movie Ranch, one of the most popular filming locations for Hollywood Westerns until the 1970s. Wildfires destroyed the ranch, and Corriganville Simi Valley is now a quaint residential community. It has some of the most affordable Simi Valley real estate, with three-bedroom mobile homes covering 1,300 square feet that cost less than $250,000. You can also purchase three-bedroom condos covering 1,300 square feet for around $650,000.
Simi Valley Weather and Climate
Simi Valley has a Mediterranean climate, meaning the Simi Valley climate has hot and dry summers and cool and wet winters. August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 74 degrees and an average high of 87. Temperatures peak in late August and then decline steadily through the fall. December is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 54 degrees and an average low of 46.
Simi Valley receives 13.5 inches of Simi Valley rain every year but no snow. Simi Valley weather monthly is fairly consistent when it comes to rain and sunshine. There are less than seven days of rain in each month, with at least 55% of days in each month being clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy.
FEMA considers Simi Valley to be a high-hazard area, with a high risk for earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and severe winds. The federal government provides free earthquake safety tips, as well as flooding safety and wildfire safety tips. Follow Simi Valley weather forecasts from the National Weather Service. You should write an evacuation plan and prepare a safety kit in your home so you have water, food, and medications for a few days after an earthquake or fire.
The best time to visit Simi Valley is August. August is the clearest month of the year, with 90% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. It has zero inches of precipitation, so you can go outside and enjoy outdoor activities at Rancho Simi Community Park and other locations. You can stay comfortable in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts.
Things to Do in Simi Valley
Ask most residents living in Simi Valley CA what to do in Simi Valley, and they'll tell you to enjoy outdoor activities year round. They'll also encourage you to go shopping at locally run and affordable stores like Vons, Valley Marketplace Simi Valley, and Stater Bros Markets. The Simi Valley Town Center is the top shopping mall in Simi Valley, with dozens of stores and restaurants.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is the official presidential library, museum, and burial ground for Ronald Reagan. The Reagan Library covers 125,000 square feet and contains rotating family-friendly exhibits related to American history and politics.
40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, 805-522-2977
The Regal Simi Valley Civic Center is the top movie theater in Simi Valley. The theater screens first-run movies throughout the year, including international and foreign-language films, at affordable prices.
2751 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, CA, 93063, 844-462-7342
Simi Hills Golf Course is a par-71 championship golf course with a lighted driving range. The course is home to golf classes throughout the year and clubs for teens, families, and seniors.
5031 Alamo Street, Simi Valley, CA, 93063, 805-522-0803
Additional Things to Do in Simi Valley
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District maintains all public parks and areas in the community and hosts special events throughout the year. You can use the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park events page to see when these events will occur.
Simi Valley Restaurants
The Los Angeles area is well known for its innovative and diverse restaurants, with influences from all over the world. Simi Valley restaurants are no different, as the city hosts family-friendly, cool, and affordable restaurants.
Toppers Pizza is a kid-friendly pizzeria well known for its freshly made dough and premium ingredients. You can order pizzas with unique toppings like creamy garlic sauce, pepperoncini peppers, and fried onions. Adults can enjoy craft beers from local breweries in the area.
2408 Erringer Road, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, 805-495-4444
The Hat is a family-friendly fast-food restaurant well known for its pastrami and pastrami dip sandwiches. Everything on the menu costs less than $15, making The Hat the perfect place for a quick and affordable lunch.
1308 East Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, 805-579-0007
Presto Pasta is a casual and quaint Italian restaurant best known for its $10 lunch specials. You can enjoy an eight-inch personal pizza with a salad, pasta and a salad, or an entree. You can also visit for dinner and enjoy classic Italian dishes like shrimp penne, chicken marsala, and meat lasagna.
1860 Erringer Road, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, 805-624-7756
Simi Valley Jobs
Many people are moving to Simi Valley for Simi Valley jobs. Over 65,800 people have jobs in Simi Valley. The community added roughly 300 jobs to its economy between 2021 and 2022. The top three industries based on the number of Simi Valley jobs are health care, manufacturing, and retail trade. Over 8,000 residents living in Simi Valley CA work in management occupations, with an additional 7,700 residents working in office and administrative support jobs.
According to Payscale, Simi Valley has an average salary of $84,000 a year with an average hourly rate of $22.15. Major employers in Simi Valley include Adventist Health Simi Valley, First Auto Group, and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. You can find additional jobs in Simi Valley using Indeed. The City of Simi Valley also offers various City of Simi Valley jobs.
Simi Valley Schools
The Simi Valley Unified School District is the official Simi Valley school district, serving all residents living in Simi Valley CA. The district contains many elementary schools and middle schools. You can use the Simi Valley school boundary maps to see where your students living in Simi Valley CA will go to school.
US News considers Vista Elementary School to be the best elementary school in the school district. 77% of students attending Vista Elementary test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 34 percentage points higher than the state average. US News considers Hillside Middle School to be the best middle school in the district.
There are four high schools in Simi Valley. US News ranks Santa Susana High School as the best high school in the city and among the top 300 high schools in California. Santa Susana High School is known for having top arts, digital arts, and technology classes. Simi Valley does not have any colleges or universities.
Monte Vista School is the official independent study/homeschool academy for the Simi Valley school district. Students living in Simi Valley CA who cannot attend in-person classes regularly can receive educational assistance and independent study at the school. Phoenix Ranch School is one of the top private schools in Simi Valley, offering a hands-on and interactive education. The Simi Valley Public Library is the official library in the city, serving all residents living in Simi Valley CA.
Simi Valley Statistics and Information
- County: Ventura County
- Simi Valley area: 42.25 square miles
- Simi Valley zip code: 93062-93065, 93093, 93094, 93099
- Simi Valley area code: 805 and 820
- Simi Valley elevation: 768 feet
- Simi Valley time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Simi Valley: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), 29.9 miles from Simi Valley
Simi Valley Map
You can use this Simi Valley map to find the best things to do in Simi Valley, restaurants in Simi Valley, and amenities!
Start Living in Simi Valley CA Today
Living in Simi Valley CA can be simple yet elegant! You can enjoy delicious and great restaurants, easy access to outdoor attractions, and effective transportation options.
With so many things to enjoy about living in Simi Valley CA, you should start moving to Simi Valley today. Movegreen has the best Simi Valley movers, with 18 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 866-684-7336 for a free estimate now.
