Featured image credit: roger4336
The sprawling San Fernando Valley offers a diversity of experiences, to say the least. Even cities or neighborhoods that border one another can offer wildly different communities, housing options, conveniences, and challenges. Take our focus for today: Valley Village and its neighbor, the world-famous Studio City US. Both share easy access to some of LA’s most attractive amenities while providing their own unique characters. So which, if either, is the right fit for you?
Where in Los Angeles Are Valley Village and Studio City?
Sandwiched between Sherman Oaks to the west and North Hollywood to the east, you’ll find the arboreal enclave of Valley Village, a community that could never be faulted for false advertising with its name. As recently as the 1990s, Valley Village was considered a part of North Hollywood before finally fragmenting off into its own distinct community.
Just south of the palm-flanked avenues of Valley Village, you’ll find the bustling-by-comparison Studio City US. You’ll hear it referred to simply as Studio City, but we’ve added the Studio City US distinction because there is actually another Studio City, though it’s a resort across the globe in China. And, though it doesn’t appear to be directly inspired by our Studio City, there are some remarkable similarities, owing to the US Studio City’s history as a major contributor to the entertainment industry. Again, no false advertising in the name.
Location and Its Impact on Neighborhood Vibes
Immediately, you’ll notice that Valley Village tends to offer a more placid, residential living experience. Meanwhile, Studio City, with its close proximity to the decadent Hollywood Hills and world-class shopping of Ventura Boulevard, feels like a tighter mix of urban and residential living options. Yet, both areas offer easy access to the 101 freeway, one of LA’s major transportation corridors. So while each is capable of producing suburban lifestyles, they remain remarkably close to the city’s greater urban center. Studio City is just slightly closer.
High Times in the San Fernando Valley
There’s no question that Studio City is a premium real estate market. According to real estate data firm NeighborhoodScout, the median home price in Studio City at the time of writing is $2.42 million – higher than 94% of California! And rentals don’t bring much relief to those high costs. By comparison, Valley Village is a little more forgiving on the bank account, but home prices in the area are steadily rising. You can still find a relatively wide range of options depending on your tastes, but most would agree that, for the San Fernando Valley, homes in Valley Village tend to sell for prices on the higher end.
Inside the Valley Village and Studio City Communities
Thanks to nearby Ventura Boulevard, Studio City is a sterling example of community walkability, with some of the most convenient access to dining, shopping, and even green spaces for connecting with nature despite the borderline urban environment. By comparison, Valley Village may be viewed as having a more obvious sense of community, emphasized by a variety of local events, strong schools, and pet-friendly businesses, all emphasizing a family-friendly atmosphere.
Is Your Choice Clear?
Ultimately, when making a long-term investment in a home for you and your family, it’s worth it to think beyond the listing price, considering your daily habits. With that in mind, it should be easier to determine whether you’d prefer a home in Valley Village or Studio City. If you’re looking for a more laid-back, suburban life with an emphasis on local community, you’d likely prefer Valley Village. But if you’re more interested in staying connected to the city, its nightlife, and ambitious professions like those in the entertainment industry, Studio City will likely be more your speed.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
