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Los Angeles: The San Fernando Valley ("The Valley")
Los Angeles: The San Fernando Valley ("The Valley")

Living in the San Fernando Valley: A Guide for Newcomers

What Is "The Valley"?
The San Fernando Valley — or just "The Valley" — is a massive subregion of Los Angeles located north of the Hollywood Hills and west of Burbank. It covers a huge area and includes parts of the City of LA (like Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, and North Hollywood) as well as independent cities like Glendale, Burbank, Calabasas, and San Fernando.
The Valley often gets overshadowed by trendier parts of LA, but it’s one of the most livable, diverse, and practical parts of the metro. And yes, it’s hot. But it’s also home to movie studios, tree-lined streets, great schools, and way more space than you’ll find in most of LA.

The Vibe
Laid-back, suburban, and incredibly varied. The Valley ranges from upscale hillsides to dense apartment corridors to family-friendly neighborhoods filled with ranch-style homes. Some parts feel like classic suburbia, while others (like NoHo or Studio City) feel more urban and creative.
There’s definitely a local pride here, and it has its own identity that’s distinct from "the city" over the hill. In many ways, the Valley is LA without the hype.

Popular Valley Neighborhoods

  • Sherman Oaks – Polished, suburban, and close to the 405 and 101. Great shopping and dining along Ventura Blvd. Popular with families and professionals.
  • North Hollywood (NoHo) – A dense, up-and-coming area with a growing Arts District. Lots of apartments, younger residents, and transit access.
  • Studio City – Tucked along the hillside with great walkability, upscale restaurants, and proximity to Hollywood. Feels more "Eastside" than most of the Valley.
  • Encino – Quiet and residential with larger homes, good schools, and a slower pace.
  • Burbank – An independent city with its own school system, police force, and a major media industry presence (Disney, Warner Bros, etc.). Very family-friendly.
  • Glendale – Large and diverse, with thriving Armenian and Latino communities. The Americana at Brand is a regional shopping/dining destination.

Who Lives Here?

  • Families looking for space and good schools
  • Working professionals in entertainment, education, and healthcare
  • Longtime Angelenos who grew up here and stayed
  • Renters and buyers priced out of central LA or the Westside
  • Creatives drawn to more affordable housing and NoHo's arts scene

Housing Snapshot
The Valley gives you more house (or apartment) for your money. Expect larger lots, more bedrooms, and actual driveways. There are still pockets of affordability, but prices are climbing.

  • Rent: 1-2BR apartments typically range from $1,800 to $2,800, with luxury or newer buildings on the higher end.
  • Buy: Single-family homes range widely, from the $800Ks in areas like Van Nuys to over $2M in Studio City or the hills.

Commute & Transit

  • Driving: The 101, 134, and 405 freeways cut through the Valley, making it relatively well-connected. But traffic over the hill into LA proper can be brutal.
  • Transit: The Metro B Line (Red) connects North Hollywood to Hollywood and Downtown. Bus service is widespread but car use is still the norm.
    Best case: Live and work in the Valley. Commuting out daily gets old fast.

Things to Do

  • Outdoors: Griffith Park, the LA River path, hiking in the Santa Susana or Verdugo Mountains
  • Shopping: Ventura Blvd, the Glendale Galleria, small business corridors
  • Food: Amazing Armenian, Mexican, Persian, and Thai food scenes
  • Family-friendly fun: Universal Studios Hollywood, local parks, farmers markets
  • Nightlife: NoHo theaters, low-key bars, and lounges

Pros & Cons
Pros:

  • More space, both indoors and outdoors
  • Strong public schools in many neighborhoods
  • Diverse, authentic communities
  • Lower cost of living than central LA or the Westside
  • Easy access to nature and the mountains

Cons:

  • Summers are very hot
  • Freeway commutes can be rough
  • Less nightlife and walkability in some areas
  • Some neighborhoods are more car-centric than others

Is the Valley Right for You?
If you want more room to breathe, care about schools, or are looking for a quieter life without abandoning LA entirely, the Valley might be your best bet. It balances affordability, convenience, and livability — especially if you're not chasing the Westside's glam.