The San Fernando Valley, more commonly known as simply “The Valley,” is a region that sits above the city of Los Angeles, just west of the San Gabriel Valley. In the past, living in The Valley was something that millennials typically avoided. Since there wasn’t much entertainment, walkable infrastructure, amenities, or dining options to choose from in most Valley neighborhoods, many residents opted to make their way to Los Angeles for a good time instead. However, with the construction of several commercial and shopping districts, as well as the arrival of new Metro stations and trendy restaurants and bars, The Valley has rapidly transformed from a homely suburb to a thriving metropolitan. This region is gradually becoming “cool” again, and thanks to LA’s rising home prices combined with The Valley’s overall affordability, many millennials are flocking to these neighborhoods.

Here are five great neighborhoods for millennials looking to live in The Valley.

Toluca Lake

Ardes Bistro in Toluca Lake

Even though the community of Toluca Lake is gated and only accessible by residents, its central location, quiet scenery, and ranch-style houses make it an attractive place to live for millennials. Many residents often refer to this San Fernando Valley neighborhood as charming with a small-town vibe, which contrasts what homebuyers would find in Los Angeles. Toluca Lake has deep roots in LA’s suburban history, and the town’s old school Bob’s Big Boy Diner is still a neighborhood fixture. The diner’s parking lot attracts a host of individuals with its weekly car shows as well. In recent years, new developments and restaurants have made their way over to the popular Riverside Drive. As a result, the neighborhood of Toluca Lake is quickly becoming a millennial hotspot. 

Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks neighborhood of San Fernando

Located at the heart of The Valley with convenient access to several neighborhoods in Los Angeles is the suburb of Sherman Oaks. This community is considered one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, and it attracts millennials for that very reason. With plenty of nightlife options, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers, residents living in Sherman Oaks don’t really need to leave the neighborhood. However, if residents wanted to commute to other parts of the Valley or Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks offers easy access to three main freeways, including the 405, 134, and 101, as well as several Metro bus stops. If you’re a millennial who enjoys great food, art, shopping, or films, Sherman Oaks is a neighborhood that has it all.

North Hollywood

NoHo Arts District map

For those millennials who can’t afford to live in the booming neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles, choosing to live in North Hollywood is a great alternative. The eclectic neighborhood is filled with art galleries, theaters, and playhouses—especially in its popular NoHo Arts District—making it the cultural hub of the San Fernando Valley. The neighborhood is constantly transforming into an area where residents can live, work, and play. With a growing downtown area, lots of pedestrian-friendly streets, easy access to transportation, and affordable real estate, millennials have several reasons to live in North Hollywood.

Burbank

Burbank neighborhood of San Fernando

The city of Burbank is a great place to live for a wide range of individuals, even if they aren’t millennials, and it’s one of the most well-regarded suburbs in the Valley. The city has been working to attract more millennials to the area and has shown an increased effort in turning its Downtown into a walkable community. Because Burbank is home to many major studios, including Disney, NBC, and Warner Bros., residents in the neighborhood consist of media executives and young professionals. There are also several mixed-use developments that are scheduled to break ground in the city, which will likely bring more millennials to the area. 

Encino

Encino welcome sign

One of the Valley’s most underrated neighborhoods is the hillside community of Encino. Although many people try to avoid the stress-inducing traffic of commuting from Encino to Los Angeles, this doesn’t stop millennials from moving in. With scenic views of rolling hills, easy access to LA’s westside, upscale amenities, and several hip establishments near Ventura Boulevard, more and more millennials find themselves looking to buy homes in this area. For these very reasons, more homebuilders and developers are starting to demolish or renovate older structures in the neighborhood, replacing them with upgraded complexes.