Arthur Ambarachyan

Valley Village is conveniently situated at the corner of the 101 and the Hollywood Freeway. The location may be its best attribute. About 70% of the population are renters while only about 30% of the community is made up of homeowners. It was originally part of North Hollywood prior to the 80's and carries on the tired and more industrial feel of North Hollywood. The areas closer to Riverside have more of a Studio City feel. It could be as simple as the lack of trees in North Hollywood and Valley Village that give it the concrete ..urban feel.

Prices ranged from $389,000 to a million while writing the review. Rentals were plentiful and ranged from $1,200 for a 1200 sq. foot 1 bedroom condo to $3,800 for a 4 bedroom 1900 square foot single family home.

A good value for rentals and a great location. If you are looking for a more neighborhoody, green with parks location, you will have better luck in the surrounding Valley communities.

North Hollywood is a great option for those who like the feel of Hollywood or West Hollywood, but can't afford to be right there. North Hollywood's NOHO Arts District has been developed for the past 10 or so years and is the communities attempt at a walkable village with restaurants, and shopping. It definitely feels a bit rougher around the edges than West Hollywood.

The location is great right off of the 101 & 170 with easy access North and South. It feels more convenient than Burbank and other Valley neighborhoods East due to the fact that you do not have to fight East West traffic. Although...it does not have the well manicured and safe feeling that Burbank or Toluca Lake has when you are driving through. I think this is a main reason that North Hollywood tends to have a younger demographic. It has more of an urban feel for a Suburban location.

Rentals are plentiful, and home prices tend to be higher in the South West corner of the community near the 101 and Sherman Village.

Echo Park is an urban neighborhood West of LA and just NorthWest of Dodgers Stadium. It is centrally located between the 110 Glendale Freeway and the 5. Echo Park is broken into two areas Angelino Heights and Elysian Heights. Angelino Heights architecture almost has a San Francisco feel (on a small scale) with hills and Victorian bungalows and larger homes. On some streets the houses are built on an angle which makes for very nice curb appeal. The area feels historic for Los Angeles. The original stores and the Bank of America on Sunset and Echo Park are a good example of the old commercial architecture.

Echo Park is going back to its roots as a creative and artistic center for Los Angeles. The original silent film studios originated in Echo Park including Elendale and Keystone Studios. Other creatives who have called Echo Park home at one point or another are Steve McQueen, Frank Zappa and Shia La Beouf. It is definitely growing in popularity and a better value than Silver Lake and Los Feliz.

Home prices ranged from $360,000 to $1.4 million at the time of writing the review. Rentals ranged from $1,200 for a 1 bedroom to $3,300 for a 2-3 bedroom.

Studio City is a conveniently located and popular Valley neighborhood just North of The Hollywood Hills and the Canyon. It is a low density area with a high income/education non-diverse population demographic. It has a median age of 38 which is considered older for a city population. Many celebrities live in Studio City, and obviously several studios are located there. It is considered historic for Los Angeles with many of the homes being built at the earlier part of the 20th century.

Studio City is considered an expensive community for the Valley. A 2 br. condo at the time of writing this review is priced at $585,000 and properties go as high as $2 million on the Southern portion of the community into the Canyon for a 4 br 3500+ square foot home. Rentals are are in high demand in Studio City due to it's central location. Most of the options available at the time of writing the review were 1 and 2 bedroom condos ranging from $1,500 to $3,000.

The shopping and restaurants are an added bonus for living in this community. The main shopping districts include; The 4 blocks of Ventura Boulevard between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Whitsett Avenue.

Alhambra is an exemplary, diversified city which is well run, has good schools and a friendly community atmosphere. It it known as the gateway city to the San Gabriel Valley. The community is primarily made up of Spanish and Craftmens style bungalows built in the 1930's and 1940's when Alhambra was a thriving industrial center, and a mix of apartment complexes and shopping/commercial centers.

Home prices are on the lower end for Los Angeles. The prices ranged from $199,000 to $379,000 while writing this review. The rentals were plentiful and ranged from $925/ month to $2,800/ month at the time of writing the review.

An affordable and convenient place to live close to LA.

A small town feel but it's close to Pasadena, Hollywood & Downtown. There is a yearly music festival and also Summer concerts in the park.There is a local community effort to keep Eagle Rock clean and green via a group called cleanthestreet.com. There are beautiful homes on large lots facing wide streets. The Occidental College students add a nice youthful energy. Eagle Rock ranks high for schools nationally. There is a Recreation Center and a wonderful certified Farmer's Market on Fridays. The New York Times compared it to Tuscany.

Prices range from $425,000 for a 765 square foot home to $875,000 for a 2000 square foot home (when writing the review). The rentals were limited at the time of writing the review, and were $825 for a 1 bedroom in the Southwestern quadrant of Eagle Rock and $2000 for a 2 bedroom on the Eastern side of Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock appears to be transforming into the next Los Feliz or Silver Lake. Young and hip.

Montrose Verdugo City is a community situated between the Foothills Freeway on the East and The Verdugo Mountains Open Space Preserve on the West side. The community is primarily ranch style homes built in the 1950's and 1960's and apartment complexes built in that same era.

The location is great for commuting into Los Angeles or Western destinations. The properties on the market at the time of this review ranged in price from $500-$700 K and were under 2000 square feet. The rentals ranged from $1500 - $3000 for a 2-3 bedroom.

La Crescenta-Montrose is a community due East of Burbank on the other side of the Verdugo Mountains, and North East of the City Center of Glendale. It is situated in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest. The location of the community makes it a bit challenging to get to, and the main access from LA is by highway. Given it's seclusion, the community has become a great location to get away from the noise, and dense population of communities further West. There are about 20,000 residents in La Crescenta-Montrose.

The rentals available (when writing review) were limited, and ranged from $1700 to $4000. There were many properties available ranging from $369,000 for a 1 bd/1 ba to just over a million for a 4 br/3 ba. There are not many parks located within La Crescenta-Montrose, but you do have Angeles National Forest in your backyard.

The community is not as affluent as it's neighbor La Canada-Flintridge, but does have a high ranking school district (California's Distinguished Schools and Blue Ribbon Schools).

There was a flood in 1933 after wildfires left the hillsides susceptible. It continues to be a popular place to live despite the threat of wildfires and mudslides.

Silver Lake is a community South and East of Los Feliz. It is named for the reservoir which it surrounds. The community is known for it's diverse people and architecture. In recent years, it has been considered one of Los Angeles' most "artsy" communities. It is also known for the many trendy restaurants and clubs.

The prices range (when writing) from about $600,000 for a 2 br/2 ba 1200 approx. square foot home to over a million for a 2800 sq. foot home with 4 bedrooms. Rental prices range from $1,500 for a 1 br apt. to $7,000 for a 3 bedroom 2300 sq. foot home.

The location is great for commuting to downtown LA or to West Hollywood. Silver Lake is surrounded by many parks including Griffith Park, Elysian Park, and Bellvue Recreation Center.

Manhattan Beach is a small beach town between El Segundo and Redondo Beach. The population is 35,000 and every square inch of the town is utilized. It almost has a European feel with the tiny streets and the well maintained and closely built homes.

There are many wonderful reasons to live in Manhattan Beach besides living on the Pacific Ocean and having wonderful views. Here are a few of the reasons; 16 miles West of Los Angeles, 40 acres of recreational beach area in total, 3 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, a scenic 928-foot-long pier at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Fishing is permitted all year. An average annual rainfall of 12.07 inches, and average temperature ranges from 70º F in summer to 55º F in winter.

The home prices (when writing this) ranged from $800k to $10 million. Rental prices are also steep averaging $3,000 for a 1 br 1 ba and $8,000 for a 3 br single family home. Prices vary greatly depending on proximity to the beach and condition and amenities.

Grandview is a community West of Kenneth Road and ending on the East side at San Fernando Blvd. It is a great place to live wedged in between shopping and restaurants on the West side and larger and more spacious homes in El Miradero on the East side. Brand Park and Library is within walking distance making it an excellent choice for families with kids or those who will use the Park on a regular basis.

The homes are a mix of mid century homes mostly bungalows and some larger homes further East. The yards are smaller and the population is denser. There are several apartment complexes as you go closer to San Fernando Blvd. Prices average from$500-700 K. Still expensive, but relatively a good value given the proximity to Los Angeles and commutability. Properties are selling quicker on average than communities in this price range in the Valley.

College Hills is an older community with mostly Ranch Style homes situated on spacious lots. The homes are primarily built during the late 20th century. The prices range from 600-900K primarily. The average square footage is 2000 Sq. Ft. in the 600K range.

The location is great for commuting West into LA on the Glendale Freeway and easy access to 134 from Glendale Avenue. In the Southern portion of College Hills is the Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the Church taking up a large portion of the land in the Community.

La Canada Flintridge is a beautiful community North East of the City Center of Glendale and situated at the foothills of the Angeles National Forest. The easiest access to the community is from the Foothills Freeway or the Glendale Freeway. This community is not for the resident who does not want to travel on highways. Although...the above highways feel open and light traveled compared to those found further West.

The community is meticulously maintained and has a upscale suburban feel. The homes are large, renovated and added onto and offer spacious lots. The part of the area East of Foothill Blvd. is heavily wooded with pines and other deciduous trees. Foothills Blvd. offers the typical community business and restaurant offerings, however, they feel a bit more upscale due to the architecture and landscaping which surrounds them.

The community is extremely expensive...not many properties listed under the $700,000 price range. The square footage does tend to be higher than neighborhoods West of La Canada Flintridge. It is one the prettiest Valley Communities.

Atwater Village lies between the Los Angeles River to the west and the City of Glendale to the north and east. It shares borders with the neighborhoods of Silver Lake to the south, Elysian Valley to the southeast, Glassell Park to the northeast, and Los Feliz and Griffith Park across the river to the west. It is also adjacent to Forest Lawn Memorial Park and contains many commercial buildings and businesses.

Principal thoroughfares include Fletcher Drive, and Los Feliz and Glendale Boulevards. The Golden State and Glendale Freeways run along the district’s western and southeastern borders, respectively. Having Griffith Park so close is wonderful for hiking and the dog park.

Most of the homes range from 400k to $700K. The square footage averages 1000 - 2000. The lots are small and the homes tend to be a mix of non descript California bungalows and apartment complexes.

The population is diverse, however, the hipster population is seeking more affordable opportunities and moving from places like Los Feliz and Silver Lake.

This is a great neighborhood in Pasadena close to Pasadena City College and South of Colorado Boulevard. The homes are in the $500,000 to $600,000 range and square footage is usually 2-3 bedrooms for 1600 average square feet. The homes are a charming mix of Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor and Bungalows. The lots are small and the area is densely populated. A great community for families.

The community surrounding Pasadena City College is relatively safe and affordable. Due to the large student population of 30,000 + students commuting into Pasadena City College daily, the traffic can be busy and the parking can become a challenge. Otherwise..there are affordable rentals and the homes are mostly well-maintained bungalows and some larger Spanish Revival homes. Shopping and restaurants are plentiful on Colorado Boulevard. There's also a light rail station on Allen that makes it very easy to get to downtown LA (and from there to the rest of the rail system, both light rail, subway, commuter, and Amtrak, plus the Flyaway bus to LAX).

A great choice for affordability and convenience.

South Pasadena is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. With a population of 25,806 people and five constituent neighborhoods, South Pasadena is the 271st largest community in California.

South Pasadena home prices are not only among the most expensive in California, but South Pasadena real estate also consistently ranks among the most expensive in America.

South Pasadena is a decidedly white-collar city, with fully 93.24% of the workforce employed in white-collar jobs, well above the national average. Overall, South Pasadena is a city of professionals, managers and sales and office workers. There are especially a lot of people living in South Pasadena who work in management occupations (13.11%), teaching (13.06%) and office and administrative support (11.42%).

Of important note, South Pasadena is also a city of artists. South Pasadena has more artists, designers and people working in media than 90% of the communities in America. This concentration of artists helps shape South Pasadena’s character.

Los Feliz has that old time California/Hollywood feel. The large homes bordering Griffith Park on the North end of the community are built in many different styles. Some of the mansions have walls with bougainvillea growing giving you the feeling someone in the entertainment industry lives there..they probably do. The apartment complexes along Los Feliz have that Mid-Century modern feel. Further South into Los Feliz on Hillhurst you will find a hip area.. reminding me of Greenwich Village in NYC. There is a plethora of boutiques, bohemian cafes, and upscale dining. A great place to go with a group of friends is The Upright Citizens Brigade. It's a comedy club further West on Franklin. It is a comedy/improv school, and the students perform for the audience. Many up and comers in comedy get their start here.

Glenoaks Canyon has an extremely convenient location off of The Glendale Freeway and 134. A great place to live for family members living in the same household that need to go in different directions. The community association is extremely strong and includes 750 households. There were approximately 20 properties including lots & homes actively on the market when I looked. Ranging from a foreclosure at $360K for 2 bd 1 ba to a 6400 square foot mansion on almost 3 acres. The majority land in the $500 to $800K range. It's a beautiful and convenient neighborhood with varying types of architecture.

Chevy Chase is one of the oldest established communities and largest canyons in San Rafael Hills. The Country Club was developed back in 1925 and consists of bucolic upscale homes loosely sited around the open space of a golf course. The active homeowner's association has managed to save the Country Club from development numerous times and has initiated many city ordinances that help to keep the hillside free of development.

One of the best kept secrets in the area is Emerald Isle Park. The park is a green oasis with a children’s playground, tennis courts, basketball court, picnic tables under a canopy of shade trees, and an expanse of grass that seems to go on forever.

The architecture includes Spanish Colonial revivals and spacious ranch homes. The average home price is significantly higher than Glendale in general and the average median age is also much higher at 46 compared to 40 for the city of Glendale.

A gorgeous setting and great place to live.

I will do a general review of a couple specific neighborhoods in Burbank...however, there are many different neighborhoods, and each one has it's own flavor.

San Fernando Blvd. area and the Town Center runs between Burbank Blvd. on the North and Angeleno on the South side. This area has a lot of activity day and night on most nights of the week. The bars and restaurants cater to all types of people including young adults, families, empty nesters, teens, and work professionals from the area. You can choose from many different ethnic cuisines in sit-down restaurants as well as take out food. There are several coffee shops. The majority of the retail spaces are restaurants except for a few clothing stores including the chain Urban Outfitters and Ross. If you are looking to shop, there is the Burbank Mall. It's an okay Mall...not a shopping destination, but it has the basic stores including a Macy's and a Bed Bath and Beyond. Further North on San Fernando you have big box stores including an IKEA. Burbank pretty much has anything you could need in regards to retail shopping within 2 miles of the Town Center.

The neighborhoods on the East side of 5 and West of Glenoaks Blvd. are predominantly made up of apartment communities and condos. As you head East of Glenoaks you see a mix of apt. buildings and smaller homes with small yards. The further East you go on the streets heading to the foothills of the Verdugos..you will see charming early to mid century bungalows of all different styles. The yards and homes tend to become more expensive and upgraded going East. Most streets have a nice tree cover and Street Lights which add to the charm of the area. Burbank H.S. is centrally located near the town center, and is a well-maintained attractive school. At the top of the streets you will see many gorgeously maintained larger homes. The homes in the hill tend to be larger and have great views of the valley. Home prices are on the higher end at the top portion of the streets ranging from $550 K to over a million and they sell quickly.

Another nice middle class neighborhood is Magnolia Park which is located on the West side of 5 and approximately between Olive and Chandler to Hollywood Way on the West side. These small to medium sized (those added onto) homes were built around 1940 until the late 1960's. This neighborhood has the feel of stepping back in time with tree-lined streets, parks and several schools within walking distance. Magnolia Avenue is home to many vintage shops. The flat streets make it a very busy area for strollers, bikes and pedestrians.

Brockmont is a neighborhood with meandering streets and mature trees leading into the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains. Given the elevation of the neighborhood, views can be lovely. The yards are more spacious and larger homes are spread out as compared to the homes down the hill going towards Glenoaks Blvd. The aesthetic of the neighborhood goes from village-like in Glenwood to more of a suburban feel within a few blocks. The homes are mostly mid 20th century ranches. It appears that many are original owners. The neighborhood's feels quiet with less activity compared to the Westerly neighbors. Brand Park is very close.

There are not many homes available for sale in Brockmont. The homes range in the higher end from $600K to over a million. The pricing relates directly to the amount of land and square footage that you get in Brockmont. It's a beautiful neighborhood convenient to the city of Glendale, Los Angeles and Hollywood for commuting. Glenoaks Blvd. has the typical array of restaurants, fast food and other strip mall conveniences. Burbank is also a short drive for shopping and restaurants.

El Miradero is a beautiful and convenient neighborhood. The architecture is elegant older homes with a mix of styles. Brand Park is a well maintained and active park located in the community backing to the Verdugo Mountains. The community is close to all types of restaurants and shopping.

It's a great option for buyers looking in the Valley. It is17 miles from downtown Los Angeles via Route 2 and 110. Separated from the business/shopping district of Glendale by the scenic Verdugo Mountains. The population is about 30,000. Crescenta Highlands offers many pretty parks. One residential area that is highly sought after is the area surrounding Willalee Avenue. In general home prices usually range from $500-$800 K for 1-2K square feet.