The San Fernando Valley, aka “The Valley,” is an interesting area because it's technically part of Los Angeles, but at the same time, it’s a completely separate territory. The disparity is so pronounced that even longtime Angelenos might react with confusion when asked which of San Fernando Valley’s 34 neighborhoods is worth moving to. For many locals, this region simply isn’t part of LA. However, with the construction of so many new developments going on throughout Los Angeles, there has been an increased interest in the nearby San Fernando Valley. 

Below are five of the Valley’s most underrated neighborhoods.

Hollywood Hills

Tucked inside Santa Monica Mountains is the coveted neighborhood of Hollywood Hills, bounded by the Los Angeles City and San Gabriel Valley lines. Residents living in this part of town enjoy the privacy of living on a scenic hillside while maintaining relatively easy access to prime destinations such as Sunset Strip in West Hollywood and Vermont Ave in Los Feliz.

Due to Hollywood Hills’ convenient location and the overall serenity of living near popular hiking attractions, such as Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park, the neighborhood is often overlooked by potential homebuyers who mistakenly assume residences are too expensive. However, there’s actually a broad range of prices for homes in Hollywood Hills, from modest to extravagant. A perusal of available listings shows condos starting around $500,000.

Canoga Park

Bounded by Woodland Hills on the south, Chatsworth on the north, Winnetka on the east, and West Hills on the west, Canoga Park is a true melting pot neighborhood with a highly diverse residential population. Although nightlife and dining options in the area are few and far apart, longtime residents enjoy housing affordability and the tranquility of living near nature. Not only can locals avoid the hassle of driving through Los Angeles’ notorious traffic congestion, there is also plenty of parking available in the neighborhood.

Although the area has gone through a rocky past, the neighborhood has significantly calmed down throughout the years after the arrival of several aerospace companies such as Rocketdyne and JetOne. 

North Hollywood

With the addition of new yoga studios, art galleries, and upscale restaurants, North Hollywood has transformed from a quiet suburb into a cultural center. The neighborhood is situated between the 134 and 170 freeways and is bordered by Toluca Lake, Universal Studios, Burbank, and Valley Village. Despite its name, North Hollywood is not next to the well-known LA city of Hollywood.

Many people are often deterred from living in this neighborhood because it seems further away from all the action in the city. In reality, even though residents of NoHo are within a half hour of Los Angeles, many choose to stay in town because of the readily-available number of shops, restaurants, and activities between Lankershim Boulevard and Vineland Avenue. 

Studio City

Imagine living in the Pico Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles, except without the traffic congestion and paparazzi littering the area. That’s basically what life is like as a resident in Studio City, where world-class dining and boutique shops can be found along Ventura Boulevard. 

Although Studio City has much to offer in terms of amenities, a downside to living in this area is its lack of convenient transportation and pedestrian-friendly paths. However, this challenge can be easily remedied if you prefer to drive. Individuals looking to purchase a place in this neighborhood can find a range of homes available, ranging from single-family townhomes to luxury condos and expansive estates. Residents are also nearby Universal CityWalk, which is a vibrant destination for retail, events, and food.

Encino

Many people do their best to avoid going anywhere near Encino because of its nerve-racking traffic during peak hours. It’s located halfway between Woodland Hills and Studio City and the nearest freeway is the dreaded 405. However, for those who don’t mind the traffic (which is inevitable if you live in Los Angeles), Encino is a great place to enjoy quiet and upscale living. 

There is a wide range of property styles in the suburb, whether its living in seclusion in the hills or near the neighborhood hotspots close to Ventura Boulevard. Since many home builders and developers have shown an increased interest in this thriving neighborhood, many older structures are being renovated or demolished into new, upgraded residences.