Friendly Valley

Pros

• The community is a great place for seniors with lots of activities.
• The security guards are very nice and helpful.
• The area is nice and quiet.
• It is one of the best places to consider for a 55+ secured community in the Santa Clarita Valley.
• There is a wide variety of homes to choose from, plus a golf course and HOA benefits.
• The grounds are beautiful and it has a great golf course and pitch?and?putt.
• It is a very safe community with security.
• Friendly Valley is a great place to live.

Cons

• The buildings, water, sewer, and electrical systems have tree root problems everywhere.
• The issues are hush hush and the presidents are abusive.
• The reviewer advises others to run away.
• The valley is not very secure, with security concerns like tenants' property left exposed in carports.
• The church gongs are depressing to the reviewer.
• The community is well run but getting old.

Review

Friendly Valley sits in the Santa Clarita Valley as a purpose-built home for active seniors, a place many residents describe as a welcoming campus of activities, security, and social opportunities. For some, it's been a longstanding home and a long-held favorite, with stories of arriving years ago and finding a community that keeps people engaged and connected. The appeal begins with the mindset of a 55-plus lifestyle and blooms into a neighborhood offering a wide range of events, clubs, and daily pleasures that keep people busy and sociable. Visitors often come away impressed by the sense that this is a place where you can stay busy, stay safe, and stay social.

A recurring thread across many impressions is the strength of security and the sense of safety that permeates the community. The gates, the 24-hour guard presence, and the orderly, well-staffed security offices give residents and their families confidence. Some reviews praise the security staff as friendly and helpful, with the overall environment described as "Fort Knox" by one speaker, underscoring a feeling of containment and care. In addition to security, the common spaces and grounds receive consistent praise for being well-kept, with beautiful landscaping that contributes to a calm, tidy atmosphere. The combination of a gated entry and vigilant security creates an atmosphere where quiet living, walking paths, and golf-oriented recreation feel accessible and secure.

The amenities and the social fabric are a major draw for many residents. Friendly Valley is acknowledged as a true 55-plus community with a broad menu of activities and options. A golf course is a centerpiece, complemented by a pitch-and-putt area, walking paths, and a slate of classes and organized activities designed to help neighbors stay active and engaged. There's a strong sense of community life here, with mentions of occasional craft fairs - indoor and outdoor events - that bring residents together and also offer opportunities to browse for deals and enjoy a friendly, festive mood. The architectural character of the homes, described as mid-century and charming, adds a unique aesthetic to the neighborhood, contributing to its overall calm, nostalgic vibe while still offering modern conveniences.

People often note the variety of homes on the market, including an older development feel that some adore for its charm and others view with mixed feelings due to maintenance. The property landscape includes a mix of housing styles, and the community has a broad range of HOA benefits tied to the golf course and shared spaces. For many, the environment is one of pleasant, quiet living - an oasis where daily life emphasizes safety, social clubs, and leisurely activities. The combination of well-kept grounds, the security framework, and consistent access to recreational options makes Friendly Valley an attractive option for seniors seeking a peaceful, active lifestyle with a clear sense of structure and community.

Not every voice is in full accord, and some reviewers offer cautionary notes that temper the otherwise sunny portrait. A number of residents point to underlying maintenance and infrastructure challenges, including concerns about buildings, water, sewer, and electrical systems, as well as tree-root issues that drive home repairs and ongoing upkeep. These observations are often paired with warnings about the availability (or lack) of timely assistance from the administration, with some critics describing the governance as hush-hush or even abusive when it comes to leadership and decision-making. One person explicitly advised that this should not be viewed as an investment, and another warned about ongoing issues under certain presidents, framing the experience as one that requires careful due diligence and a readiness to navigate potential conflicts with management.

Safety and security conversations reveal a nuanced picture. While the official gates and guards provide a strong sense of enclosure, there are occasional concerns raised about other security-related issues - such as reports of carport areas being used for tenants' possessions and references to "tweakers" in the area. These remarks illustrate that, in practice, the perceived security can be more complex than a simple gate-and-guard narrative. Some reviews acknowledge the security as solid and reassuring, while others highlight the vulnerabilities that come with aging infrastructure and evolving neighborhood dynamics. In short, the security story is robust and well-regarded by many, but not without caveats depending on who you ask and what part of the community you observe.

Personal experiences further color the portrait. For some, the move into Friendly Valley is a decision that brings ease and fulfillment, with stories of moving there in 2022 and even selling a property in 2024 after enjoying time in the community. There are accounts of visiting friends who have spent many years there and love what the place offers, reinforcing the idea that, for many residents, Friendly Valley is a place to settle into a satisfying, social, and safe routine. Others emphasize the quieter, more private side of the experience, noting that it remains a clean, well-maintained, and secure environment with friendly office staff and neighbors who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. The sentiment in these narratives often centers on knowing your neighbors, participating in local events, and appreciating the grounds and facilities.

In the end, Friendly Valley emerges as a multifaceted community that many residents warmly advocate. It is celebrated as a great place to live for seniors who value security, social opportunities, and amenities like golf and organized activities. It is also acknowledged that the community is older in places and that certain maintenance and governance issues may require vigilance, frank conversation, and proactive management. For prospective residents or visitors weighing this option, the message is clear: there is much to love here - the sense of safety, the quiet beauty of the grounds, the variety of homes, and the abundance of activities - but it pays to do due diligence, visit personally, and talk with current residents about the ongoing balance between community benefits and the realities of maintaining an established 55-plus neighborhood.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)
• Walgreens (4.5 miles)
• Walgreens (4.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Honu Coffee (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Lazy Dog Cafe (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• La Cocina Bar & Grill (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• The Habit Burger Grill (0.8 miles)
• Ay Caramba (0.9 miles)
• Jack In The Box (0.9 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1 miles)

Physicians

• The Allergy and Asthma Institute of The Valley (0.9 miles)
• Prima Pediatrics (1 miles)
• Facey Medical Group (1.9 miles)
• Triangle Medical Group (2.4 miles)
• Santa Clarita Vision Center (3.9 miles)
• Dr Cameron Grade, DC (4 miles)
• Audiology Associates (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Wespark Non-Profit Cancer Support Center (1.9 miles)
• Henry Mayo Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (4.5 miles)
• Olive View Ucla Medical Center (5.4 miles)
• Nutricia North America (6.2 miles)
• Tebi, Sina Dr - Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Diabetes Education (8.5 miles)
• Rinaldi Convalescent Hospital (8.5 miles)

Parks

• Oak Spring Park (3.9 miles)
• Valencia Glen Park (4.2 miles)
• O'Melveny Park (7 miles)
• Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park (9.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Real Life Church (4.8 miles)
• Higher Vision Church (7.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Porter Ranch 9 (10.3 miles)