Mission Hills

Finding a neighborhood in Los Angeles County where prices are manageable, but you still get that typical suburban feel can be challenging. The good news is that Mission Hills, situated in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, is a hidden gem of a neighborhood that checks all the boxes. "If Granada Hills and Pacoima had a baby, it would be Mission Hills," says Julian Park, real estate broker with Citiwide Realty. "It is a solidly middle-class neighborhood, which is getting harder and harder to find in LA. You can get an affordable price on a home in a decent neighborhood, it's close to two major freeways, and because of that, it's great for savvy first-time buyers who want to get in on the LA housing market."

You'll find mostly midcentury-era ranch-style homes along the wide, residential streets, though if bungalows are more your thing, you can find them throughout the area, too. House exteriors are primarily stucco in neutral colors and feature shingle roofs, garages or carports and big front-facing windows to let in natural light. Many homes also offer tasteful stone walls and short wrought-iron fences for extra privacy. While lot sizes run a bit small, there is still plenty of room for front yards landscaped with drought-resistant plants or an extra-wide driveway, a plus for households with multiple vehicles or an RV. The streets are lined with sidewalks and dotted with mature trees, offering space for a stroll around the block. Prices range from $600,000 for 1,200 square feet to $1 million for 1,700 square feet. Condos and town houses are also available, with prices ranging from $400,000 for 900 square feet to $800,000 for 2,100 square feet and offering amenities such as community pools, gated entrances and secure parking.

Children in Mission Hills attending public school may begin their education at San Jose Street Elementary, then head to Porter Middle and Northridge Academy High, all a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Northridge Academy High serves approximately 1,100 students from ninth through twelfth grade and scores a B+ on Niche. It also offers students three learning academies to join: Health and Human Development, Careers in Education, and Arts, Media and Communication. Ninth graders spend time exploring the various academies, then in tenth grade, select one to focus on until graduation. Families considering private education for their kids can opt for Bishop Alemany High for high school, which offers a faith-based curriculum.

Brand Park, off South Brand Boulevard, is where many locals head when they want to spend time in nature. Next door to the historic Mission San Fernando Rey de España, the park features paved walkways surrounded by manicured hedges and large bushes with colorful wildflowers. A replica of an early Spanish-style fountain sits near the center, and stone benches are scattered throughout so you can sit and take it all in. While the mission is decidedly less active than it was in the 1700s, it is still very much the focal point of the community. It boasts displays of relics and furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, and its grounds are often used for joyous wedding receptions and quinceñeras.

Find shopping at the many national retailers in Olivo at Mission Hills, a shopping center located at Devonshire Street and Sepulveda Boulevard. Pick up daily essentials at Target, find discounted fashions and home goods at Ross Dress for Less and mail a package at The UPS Store. Across the street, you'll find Vons, where you can get all your groceries for the week. For dining, head a bit further down Devonshire for many of Mission Hills's locally owned restaurants, including Holiday Burger. Locals have come to this restaurant for years to indulge in sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and of course, burgers. Treat yourself to their Pastrami Burger: two beef patties with cheese topped with thin cuts of pastrami. Get it with a side of fries, which you can order plain, or, if you’d like, you can get those topped with pastrami and cheese, as well.

Bordered by the 405, the 5 and SR-118, the rest of LA County is easily accessible, making Mission Hills an attractive choice to live for folks who work in Hollywood, Burbank or Glendale.

Written By

Sara Huffman

Photography Contributed By

Joseph Choo

Video By

Remi Cox