OT: Living in the Valley (Van Nuys, Northridge)

[Foogoo]

I've been looking for a 2 bedroom place in the valley as close to UCLA as possible and it seems like Northridge and Van Nuys are the cheapest. Is that correct or am I missing somewhere?

Also, a lot of the places I found are really close to Van Nuys airport are really cheap. Is it that terrible? I work off Valjean and while I can hear the planes, they're mostly small jets and traffic is low so it doesn't bother me. Will it be different when you're in an apt?

Thanks for any suggestions!

[GinaSofia]

Van Nuys sucks,seriously(no offense meant to anyone).It's dirty and very crime-ridden.It took me forever to get out of there and I'll never go back.Let me know if you decide to move to Northridge-we may have a vacancy there.

[xxvietxjustinxx]

Northridge! WOOT! Go SFV reefers!

[KWoo008]

Van Nuys definitely has its down side as Gina pointed out (no offense taken :) ). However there are small pockets where it isn't so bad. I've lived here for 4 years and haven't run into any issues yet (knock on wood). I can also give you the number to the Senior Lead Officer (LAPD) who oversees the Van Nuys area. I'm sure he can tell what areas are better than others if you decide to move into the 'hood. Good luck.

[Foogoo]

Right now, our main deciding point is price since both are decently far/close from UCLA. Any info on good/bad areas would be appreciated!

GinaSofia - If you may have a 2 bedroom place available by August, please lmk. Thanks!

[bromion]

Northridge is nicer than Van Nuys, but man it's way out there. If I had to choose a spot in the Valley, I would go with Sherman Oaks, Studio City, or North Hollywood. Unfortunately, they are probably the most expensive areas, too. There are deals everywhere, though. Persistence helps.

If you're gonna go to the valley, consider finding one or two more people and rent a house. It's a lot more space and could turn out to be cheaper per person than a two bedroom apartment.

[Foogoo]

Persistence does pay off, but not when time is forcing you to find a place! Is Van Nuys really that bad?? The area around my work looks fine... granted that's only a 4 block stretch I see during daylight...

I have no idea why people would rather pay an extra $600 a MONTH and have to share a room just to be within walking distance of school... Westwood is not all that great. But yeah, it's hard to find people rent a house with.

[GinaSofia]

Valjean (by the Van Nuys airport) is an industrial area and probably why you haven't seen the real Van Nuys..I still wouldn't hadn't hang out there after dark.

I'll PM you a list of our vacancies/prices in the SFV on Wednesday(my next day off)

[bromion]

Westwood is a total rip-off. That's why I live in Brentwood : )

[dchan928]

If you go to Van Nuys, stay away from Sepulveda and Victory area. My bro lived around there a few years ago and it was a REALLY bad place to be.

[Foogoo]

GinaSofia - Thanks, that would be great!

dchan928 - ...really? We were pretty excited today to find all the deals in that area because it's so close to the 405 and to our work. Maybe that's why they were such good deals......

[dchan928]

Yea...there's a reason for that area being really cheap. Some guy side swiped my car at night there and I ran out and the car saw me and took off. Then this woman (thinking back, she was probably a hooker) said she can give me his license plate number for $10. Stupid me...I gave it to her and she just walked away....really stupid me....

[GinaSofia]

Anywhere on Sepulveda Blvd. is a bad idea but anywhere North of Victory is Crack/Prostitute Alley.

Stay away from North Hills,Van Nuys,Panorama City,North Hollywood (north of Magnolia or East of Lankershim= Bad,)

Like was said before,Sherman Oaks,Studio City,Encino,Toluca Lake,even Burbank- which is not technically the SFV- are pretty nice/safe neighborhoods.

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10215947#post10215947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GinaSofia
Anywhere on Sepulveda Blvd. is a bad idea but anywhere North of Victory is Crack/Prostitute Alley.

Stay away from North Hills,Van Nuys,Panorama City,North Hollywood (north of Magnolia or East of Lankershim= Bad,)

Like was said before,Sherman Oaks,Studio City,Encino,Toluca Lake,even Burbank- which is not technically the SFV- are pretty nice/safe neighborhoods.

Oh come on guys, I grew up in Van Nuys - On Sepulveda and Vanowen in particular right next to Ralphs. It was a rough neighborhood indeed. I used to buy groceries there.. I see gangsta kids staring at me so I stare at them back but I always keep a baseball bat in my car. I guess I just got used to it.

I guess I'm an idiot but when I finally saved up enough money, I bought a house................in PANORAMA CITY :smokin: Same ol neighborhood. For the same money I could've gotten something in Canyon Country or SOMEWHERE SAFE. I can't imagine myself living in like Westlake...I'd probably die of boredom. I guess the excitement of living in the hood really lured me in. I love it here..OMG. Panorama is sooo action packed!

Where should I move next? I'm thinking Pacoima.. but I heard that Compton is where the action is. I have to do some research... opinions?

[GinaSofia]

xtm..I'm sorry.I meant no offense.

My Mom bought a small condo on Sepulveda and Nordhoff last year for $340,000!!She didn't want to keep paying rent after a divorce and my little sister had to be close to school(CSUN)..I'm just thinking that if you have an option and have a family,safety first.
Owning is still always better than renting.

[Foogoo]

What about in the vicinity of CSUN? Saw some not-bad deals in that area.

[bromion]

Around CSUN is fine. I have friends there and have visited often. One group of three students I know rent a house just south of campus. Good deal!

[KWoo008]

I agree with Bromion about the CSUN area. My only issue with it is that it is not exactly freeway access friendly. Would the 118/Reseda be the closes or 405/Nordoff?

[reefpeep2004]

Are you a porn star? Just askin :D

[black74]

Look at Van Nuys (WEST), bordering against Reseda and Tarzana area, thats the best part of VN. Stay away from east and Central VN where Ginasofia is talking about. LOL....

Hi GS, working on a 12 cube nano you should check out.....

[GinaSofia]

cool,G! Call me so you can pick up some start up frags.

I also like the area by CSUN.

[Fuzzy Yarbles]

its all about sherman oaks! no ghettoness in my neck of the woods.

[RufRidn]

Between the two northridge is better but its still a drive to ucla. I was looking in the encino, sherman oaks, and woodland hills area for a apartment for myself. Just havent found anything I like yet. Sherman Oaks has some good deals, and so does encino.