The story of the San Fernando Valley begins with the story of Van Nuys. The most populous city in the Valley started as a humble ranch town before developing into a popular train stop in the 1910s, attracting more people and sparking the urbanization of the Valley. In 1932, Van Nuys City Hall, recognized for its art-deco exterior, was established as the seat of the Valley for the city of Los Angeles, earning its nickname as the heart of the Valley. Van Nuys is still the municipal center of the Valley, 17 miles from downtown LA, but it's better known for its palm tree-lined boulevard and cruisin' car culture.
The neighborhood has gained popularity as one of the more affordable options close to Studio City, home to Universal and Warner Bros. Studios. Folks getting started in LA can find more opportunities to rent a condo or townhouse here, in contrast to the multi-million-dollar estates just a few miles south in Sherman Oaks. Van Nuys is a relatively more affordable area that is right by North Hollywood,” says Pam Xu, Realtor and owner at Sunpride Realty with over 10 years of experience. “Rental rate is also relatively high.”
Van Nuys has great views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
There are a few bike paths throughout Van Nuys.
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Small ranch-styles and condos
Most Van Nuys residents rent their living spaces, with the neighborhood providing single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums throughout. Van Nuys houses are typically small to medium in size, featuring 1940s and 1950s bungalows, cottages, ranch styles and New Traditional homes sitting on residential streets with fenced-in yards. 1,000 square feet to 1,500 square feet single-family homes are usually around $500,000 to $800,000, and larger homes in more well-established communities may fetch $1.6 million. Sections of newer construction are scattered across the neighborhood, with several 3,000 square feet houses priced around $2 million. Two to three-bedroom townhouses are between $400,000 and $600,000, and the base point for a one-bedroom condo unit is around $300,000.
Cottages, generally close to each other, can be found in Van Nuys.
New traditional homes with two stories can fit a big family of one in Van Nuys.
Small to medium home options are also available in Van Nuys.
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Cruisin' culture in Van Nuys
A variety of events take place in Van Nuys annually, including the Encino Food & Wine Festival and the Spring Concert & Festival. Reflecting the area’s legacy of car culture, the Van Nuys Cruise Night takes place on Van Nuys Boulevard on the third Saturday of every month. This cultural practice started as early as the 1930s and came into prominence in the 1950s, which at the time inspired the namesake film, Van Nuys Blvd. Nowadays, the crews meet to appreciate their love for classic, personalized cars while they show them off and cruise down the streets of Van Nuys.
Safe cruise nights hosted along Van Nuys Blvd on weekend nights.
Bring your car for a cruise night along Van Nuys Blvd.
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Diverse eateries on the Boulevard
Van Nuys has a lively Asian and Latin American food scene, and popular restaurants include Mercado Buenos Aires for its rich Argentinian flavors, Ay Papa Que Rico and Ph? 999. Springbok Bar & Grill has happy hour and is a popular place to catch a sports game over drinks. Everyday necessities are also available within the neighborhood, including Costco and Walgreens. Residents may shop at the Encino farmers market at Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area or at Aldi and Ralphs. Just outside Van Nuys is The Plant Shopping Center, which hosts a movie theater and stores such as Old Navy, Home Depot and PetSmart.
Dine in and enjoy rich Argentinian flavors at Mercado Buenos Aires, in Van Nuys.
Enjoy the food trucks all around Van Nuys.
Ralph's is a local favorite for groceries in Van Nuys.
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Van Nuys Recreation Center and Lake Balboa offer recreation and fun
People can come to the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center for games or sports programs for tennis, soccer and basketball, as well as martial arts and dance lessons. Children may play in the park’s playground, and Van Nuys is also near the launching zone of the Los Angeles River Recreation Area for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Anglers may also fish at Lake Balboa, which is also known as Anthony C. Beilenson Park. Lake Balboa is also popular for the Swan pedal boats, scenic hikes and for watching local wildlife. Nearby golf courses include the Van Nuys Golf Course and the Balboa Golf Course, and families may visit The Japanese Garden for the seasonal blooms, the stone arrangements and the bird path.
Enjoy a game of basketball at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center.
Bring your fishing gear and you might can a fish in Lake Balboa.
A sports field with artificial turf at the Van Nuys Recreation Center.
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Seven miles to Studio City
Folks looking to work in Hollywood's film industry often look in Van Nuys as a starting point because of its proximity to Studio City. Residents can drive across the neighborhood blocks or hop on Route 170 for a 7-mile drive to Studio City, which can take 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. LA commuters have a 17-mile drive on Route 101 to downtown, but the incredibly congested traffic can make the drive take anywhere from 40 minutes to two hours. The traffic is so famously bad that locals say "free hour" instead of "rush hour," referring to the brief windows when the freeways aren't backed up.
Los Angeles Unified School District
Students in Van Nuys attend the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is rated a B-plus overall by Niche. The schools within Van Nuys aren't highly ranked; most are graded a C or B-minus, but Van Nuys Senior High is an A. Kids do have the convenience of being able to walk just a few blocks to their elementary, middle and high schools from nearly anywhere in the neighborhood.
Van Nuys Elementary School serves around 450 students in Van Nuys.
Van Nuys Senior High is a
Public High School in
Van Nuys, CA.
Van Nuys Middle School provides education in nearby Van Nuys.
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Long-term droughts and crime
The hot and dry climate in this region of Southern California is prone to extended periods without rainfall, thus leading to long-term droughts. During droughts, residents are required to abide by water usage restrictions and are encouraged to conserve water at all times in preparation for droughts. Locals may also experience some noise from Van Nuys Airport, next to the city. However, it's private, so planes aren't constantly landing and taking off. On average, the city has one of the higher crime rates in the Valley, with a CAP Index score of five out of ten. The southern part of the neighborhood near Sherman Oaks has the least reported incidents.
Written By
Meridith Ingram
Photography Contributed By
Piter Beyt
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Betty Thomas,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Van Nuys, CA sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Van Nuys, CA over the last 12 months is $900,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Pristine 3-bed/2-bath traditional home that has been loved & cared for. A light-filled, spacious living room with hardwood floors is open to a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with a stunning center island, stainless steel appliances, and immaculate cabinetry. The formal dining area with a custom tufted banquette, vaulted ceiling, and fireplace creates a cozy ambiance that is sure to impress family
Lovely Spacious Condo in the Heart of Encino. High Vaulted Ceilings Fireplace, Extra Large Living Room, Several Large Closets, Engineered Hard Wood Flooring, Upgraded Kitchen with Granite Counter Tops and Custom Made Cabinets, Stainless Steal Refrigerator, Stainless steal Gas Stove, Unit is one of the larger and very spacious units with - Side by Side Parking, Walking distance to Ventura Blvd
Move-in ready, single-level 3BD/3BA ~1,500 SF condo in prime Sherman Oaks. High ceilings, open concept, wood-style flooring, and a private balcony. Kitchen with stone counters and stainless appliances. Energy-efficient upgrades include Nest thermostat, LED lighting, dual-pane windows, and a tankless water heater. In-unit washer/dryer included. Spacious primary suite with two walk-in closets, dual
Pristine 3-bed/2-bath traditional home that has been loved & cared for. A light-filled, spacious living room with hardwood floors is open to a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with a stunning center island, stainless steel appliances, and immaculate cabinetry. The formal dining area with a custom tufted banquette, vaulted ceiling, and fireplace creates a cozy ambiance that is sure to impress family
Recently remodeled 2 bedroom 2 bath single family home in Lake Balboa. Additional den can possibly be converted into a third bedroom. Detached garage can possibly be converted to an ADU, generating extra income. Please check with city. Buyer to do their own due diligence. Gated with good size front yard and backyard for added privacy. There are several fruit trees. Pomegranate, Avocado, Orange,
Encino racquet club diamond in the rough! 2 bed 2 bath - 2 story condo features large kitchen, wet bar, fireplace, in unit laundry, upstairs loft space and 2 private patio areas. Then add the pool, spa, tennis court and calming koi pond. All this and off street gated parking garage. NOTE: '' For the first 30 day period listing this property, the seller will only accept offers from Owner-Occupant
Experience breathtaking vistas from this expansive single-story residence! Boasting 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, and with over 3400 square feet, this home is designed for comfortable living and entertaining. The light-filled, open floor plan is accentuated by large windows framing peaceful views. The spacious living room features a built-in bar area, perfect for hosting guests, while a cozy
Situated on a peaceful cul-de-sac in a highly sought-after Sherman Oaks neighborhood, this turnkey home has been tastefully updated inside and out. Natural light floods the open and inviting floor plan, highlighting the charming details and timeless character found throughout. At the heart of the home lies the designer chef’s kitchen, equipped with premium stainless-steel appliances, quartz
This stunning 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath home features an open floor plan with abundant natural light and a modern kitchen complete with quartz countertops, designer cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy LED recessed lighting throughout and the convenience of in-unit washer and dryer. The spacious primary suite offers a large ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet. Private 2-car garage parking
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