The heart of the Valley
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.
Cruisin' culture in Van Nuys
Van Nuys Boulevard is best known as the birthplace of cruisin.' This pastime became a craze in the 1970s with the release of the dragster film "American Graffiti," which was shot on Van Nuys Boulevard. Thousands of cars would fill the streets of Van Nuys, and the Boulevard soon became known as one of the most iconic streets in all of car culture. The craze has slowed over the years, but the spirit stays alive when motorheads cruise the Boulevard on the third Wednesday of every month.
Diverse eateries on the Boulevard
Local hangouts are around the corner of every neighborhood block, but the artery of activity is Van Nuys Boulevard. The Boulevard is packed with locally-owned eateries representing diverse cultures in the neighborhood, such as Mexican, Peruvian, Indian and Iranian. Folks can also treasure hunt for vintage goods at bazaars and flea markets on the Boulevard. Locals get their necessities at department and grocery stores along Sepulveda Boulevard, a couple of clocks west of Van Nuys Boulevard.
Van Nuys Recreation Center and Sepulveda Wildlife Preserve
In this city environment, locals take full advantage of outdoor spaces like Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Recreation Center. The Recreation Center has a few acres of green space, athletic courts and fields. Residents in the neighborhood's south end can walk a few blocks to the Center, but folks on the north side may have a short drive. Locals also have the luxury of a Sepulveda Wildlife Preserve across Interstate 405 on the neighborhood's west side. The Preserve has an amphitheater and acres of outdoor space around a large pond. Folks with a green thumb relax in the Japanese Gardens next door in Woodley Park.
Small ranch-styles and condos
Van Nuys may have less space or privacy than nearby communities in the hills, but it's significantly more affordable. The neighborhood's median price is around $850,000, whereas Sherman Oaks's is $1.3 million, just 2 miles away. Most of the small ranch styles on the north side were built during the car boom in the 1950s, but the neighborhood has since been more popular for its condos and townhouses, starting at $400,000 and ranging to brand new units for over $700,000. Folks looking for more space can still find large estates on the neighborhood's south end with around a half-acre of yard space for about $2 million.
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.
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.
