Valley Village is a tranquil neighborhood at the southeastern edge of the San Fernando Valley. It’s sandwiched between North Hollywood, Studio City, Toluca Lake, and Sherman Oaks. The neighborhood itself is calm and quiet, so no one would expect it to have a tension-fueled history.

According to LA Times, Valley Village used to be part of North Hollywood. However, after a controversial split in 1991, Valley Village was ultimately separated into its own neighborhood. Fun fact: Marilyn Monroe got her career started in Valley Village. In 2015, the neighborhood was rocked with more drama when Monroe’s former home, which was in the process of being evaluated for landmark status, was demolished and built into a condominium development.

Today, the neighborhood is considered one of the most desirable areas to live in the Valley, especially for couples looking to settle down to raise a family. Valley Village is mostly residential, but it’s still near local amenities offered in North Hollywood and Studio City. Not only has Valley Village been acknowledged as one of the regions greenest neighborhoods, it’s also filled with quality schools and boasts easy access to grocery stores and local parks.

Below are a few reasons why homebuyers should consider living in Valley Village.

Freeway Accessible

Valley Village, Los Angeles photo courtesy of Clotee Pridgen Alloc

Although other neighborhoods in the Valley have become more pedestrian-friendly throughout the years, Valley Village is still not as walkable in many areas. Unlike North Hollywood’s Arts District or Studio City’s Tujunga Village, Valley Village provides a more serene type of environment for its residents. Although there are some pedestrian-friendly communities along Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Riverside Drive, and Magnolia Boulevard, the neighborhood seems to cater more towards drivers. Valley Village is conveniently located near the 101, 5, 134, 118, and 405 freeways, making commutes relatively easy for those who want to drive to other parts of the Valley or to Los Angeles.

Close-knit Community

Valley Village Park photo courtesy of Pedro Costa Barros

After being separated into its own neighborhood, it’s no surprise that Valley Villagers share a community-oriented outlook. Many residents have lived in the area for decades, and the new residents entering the neighborhood are often young families with children. Valley Village’s Neighborhood Council regularly promotes special events, such as block parties, to encourage residents to socialize and meet other neighbors.

Upscale Residential Area

Home in Valley Village photo courtesy of Pedro Costa Barros

Valley Village is ideal for homeowners who want to avoid living in an apartment, with a preference for single-family homes. Compared to other areas of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, the property value in Valley Village tends to be slightly above average.

 Homes in Valley Village range between the high $200s to over $2 million. There are several different home types from attached condominium, townhouse, or loft-style residences to single-family homes and large estates. While the more affluent residential areas are located towards the boundaries near North Hollywood and Studio City, the bulk of the community’s more affordable homes are situated towards the neighborhood’s center near Magnolia and Laurel Canyon boulevards. 

Dog-friendly Neighborhood

Thanks to the community’s many local parks and tree-lined residential streets, Valley Village welcomes households with furry pets. In fact, many residences and businesses in the neighborhood are pet-friendly. Restaurants that are regularly frequented by dog owners and their pets include Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Harvest Moon Kitchen and Marketplace, and Red Moon Restaurant and Lounge. There are also a number of dog-friendly hotels available for visitors.

Notable Schools

School buses in Valley Village photo courtesy of Pedro Costa Barros

The reason why so many young families are drawn to the neighborhood is because of the abundance of top-rated and progressive schools available for children. Public schools in Valley Village are considered part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Valley Village’s highly regarded schools include Colfax Charter Elementary School and The Country School, among many others. Kids will be happy to know that The Country School is a project-based institution that doesn’t focus on assigning homework, choosing instead to focus on environmentally-conscious and creative work. 

Central Location

Valley Village Station photo courtesy of Pedro Costa Barros

Many homeowners are attracted to Valley Village’s central location. In addition to having several freeways available, the neighborhood also offers residents and visitors convenient access to the Metro’s Orange and Red Lines at Universal Station and Chandler Station. Commuters can simply hop on the train and find themselves in Studio City, North Hollywood, Universal City, and Burbank within minutes.