I am relocating to Los Angeles. Is Van Nuys a good/safe area to rent an apartment?

Question

What other communites/cities should I be looking at?

Answer 1

There are parts that are very safe and family oriented, and other parts that you wouldn't want to be left alone in. It's hard to say exactly where. Closer to Ventura Blvd. is nicer - also more expensive. You could be checking Burbank, Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Woodland Hills, etc. Basically as long as you stay between Ventura blvd. up to within up to six or so blocks or so north, you're pretty okay.

Answer 2

There are pockets of good neighborhoods in Van Nuys. If you don't go South of Oxnard Blvd then you will be fine. There are also a lot of apartments on Burbank Blvd. that are in a better area of Van Nuys.
Adjacent to Van Nuys is Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood (not all areas are good) Studio City, Valley Village and Village Glen.
The best way is to come on out and look around for yourself.
Good luck! Los Angeles ROCKS!

Answer 3

I'll say what others won't about Van Nuys LOL I grew up there in the 80's and it was a fairly decent area. Now however, it has become mainly Mexican...Spanish speaking only for many. For the valley the further west you go the better; IE Woodland hills, but is pricey. Perhaps Chattsworth, tarzana or parts of Northridge might work best.

Answer 4

It's alright. It's in "the valley" -- San Fernando Valley: Quite crowded with heavy race-specific populations in certain areas.Totally do-able if you're a working single. For a family or if you're looking for a safer & quieter city, go a little farther away from downtown into a suburb like Santa Clarita / Valencia, Ventura County (Thousand Oaks, Camarillo), Simi Valley., etc. I could always tell about a neighborhood by a photo of the residence in question: are there bars on the windows?!?
A good place to start is the Megan's Law website which will show you the density of sex offenders in a certain area. Also I've found the US Census website to tell you about certain cities' population, average income, racial makeup, housing cost, average commute time, etc.

Answer 5

I don't think you want to live in Van Nuys. It's 20 degrees hotter in the summer (than on the coast, 90 vs 110 for example) has way more pollution, gets way colder in the winter and will get hit hardest if/when there's another earthquake.

You should look into areas like Venice, Santa Monica, West LA, Culver City, Marina del Rey. It's more expensive but TRUST ME it's worth it.

Also, when calculating your commute time in the LA area, you need to double what mapquest says. For example, I live in Culver City and when I worked in the valley (Van Nuys) it took me and hour to two hours EACH WAY depending on traffic, even though it's only about 20 miles. I saw my gasoline bill almost triple.

Answer 6

Van Nuys isn't the best area...

If you choose to live in the San Fernando Valley, the safest neighborhoods include Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, etc.

Answer 7

van nuys is cheep and if that's your only option OK but Id try to look elsewhere even in the valley. Look into valley village, studio city or north Hollywood if you can afford it. Come out, buy a Thomas guide and look around before you decide

Answer 8

Sherman Oaks, Studio city, Encino, Tarzana, Reseda

Answer 9

Van Nuys is pretty skanky. I would avoid it.

Check out these neighborhoods to live in...

Beverly / Fairfax area
Miracle Mile
Los Feliz
Eagle Rock
Silverlake
West Hollywood

If you have to live in the valley, please consider Studio City or even North Hollywood before you go to Van Nuys. it 's gross.

Answer 10

It depends where your work is because LA/Van nuys area tend to get heavy traffic during busy hours. I live in OC (brea/fullerton area) and love it here. The other LA area that i will recommend is Pasadena.