West Covina's motto should be "Citizens for West Covina": the city became incorporated to stop the construction of a sewage farm within its boundaries. Citizens banded together over this controversial issue and demanded the right to declare their independence from Covina in 1923.
West Covina is less than 100 years old, which might sound old to a human, but in city years, it's still just a kid! However, it is certainly growing up fast. West Covina is already twice as big as its parent city, Covina. The locals have been going mad with development since the end of the Second World War, adding vast shopping centers, housing developments, and public buildings. The pace of growth has finally started to ease a little, which means demand for housing is quickly rising to meet the slow-down in supply. If you want to move to West Covina, now is the time to get in and grab that perfect apartment (before someone else does).
Moving to West Covina
There are many reasons you might want to live in West Covina. It's located in a thriving part of California: the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County. The climate is sunny, dry, and comfortably warm, even in the depths of winter. And the good news for would-be renters is that West Covina has plenty of housing options, ranging from modern 1 bedroom apartments to spacious 4 bedroom houses.
Starting your search for a home in West Covina is exciting, but it can quickly become frustrating when the homes you like are snapped up by other tenants who have been more organized than you. Before you even begin looking at rentals, gather the documents and other things you will need to rent an apartment in West Covina. To spell it out, you are likely to need proof that you are employed, a reference from your previous landlord to show that you are a responsible tenant, and the first month's rent to put down as a deposit when you find the perfect place. If you have these things to hand, your chances of grabbing the apartment you want will be dramatically improved. If you show up without them, get used to disappointment.
Neighborhoods in West Covina
City Center: The city center of West Covina is a compact neighborhood with a good mix of single-family homes and studio to 2 bedroom apartments for rent.
West Puente Valley: This southwestern part of the city has a range of affordable small- to medium-sized houses and apartments.
Walnut Valley: Just to the east of the city center, this residential area is home to a desirable selection of large townhomes.
East Suburbs: West Covina neighborhoods extend a long way to the east of the city center. The eastern suburbs boast larger rental homes.
E Amar Rd/S Azusa Ave: There's is a strip of businesses, including shops and coffee places, along South Azusa Avenue, which is one of the main roads running south out of West Covina.
Living in West Covina
West Covina has a lot to recommend it: affordable housing, and good travel links to other towns and cities in the San Gabriel Valley. This is a thriving city in the fantastic SoCal location of Los Angeles County. Even if you're a master complainer, you'll have trouble finding cause to gripe here.
While it's always nice to have a gas gobbler of your own, if you decide to live in West Covina, you could consider using public transportation for your daily commute and other around-town journeys. GO WEST operates three shuttle routes within the city, connecting up most popular destinations. If you don't want to deal with the frustration of being behind the wheel, you can sit back and let the driver take you where you need to go. Who needs road rage?
What should you do for fun in West Covina? Well, you could get active using one of the many sports fields, tennis courts, or skate parks that are dotted around West Covina. Once you've worked up an appetite, head to the West Covina Farmers' Market to find some tasty ingredients for a healthy meal. There's a water playground in Del Norte Park to cool off during the long, hot summer, or get up close and personal with local birds and bugs at the Galster Park Nature Center.
No matter how nice a town is, you will occasionally want to get far, far away from it. West Covina has two international airports within 40 miles: the Ontario International Airport to the east and Los Angeles International Airport to the west. Flying to any part of the country--or even the world--should be no trouble at all.