The San Fernando Valley — commonly called 'the Valley' — is the vast basin north of the Santa Monica Mountains that forms the northern half of the City of Los Angeles and surrounding incorporated cities. With over 1.7 million residents, it is a city unto itself.
Valley Neighborhoods at a Glance
Burbank and Glendale anchor the eastern Valley with entertainment industry employers and vibrant downtowns. Sherman Oaks and Studio City offer upscale shopping and dining along Ventura Boulevard. Encino and Tarzana are quieter, with large lots and established neighborhoods. Reseda, Van Nuys, Panorama City, and North Hollywood are more affordable and ethnically diverse. Northridge and Granada Hills offer suburban character with proximity to CSUN. Woodland Hills and Calabasas at the western end have newer developments and proximity to the 101.
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Housing Costs in the Valley
The Valley is generally more affordable than the Westside or the Beach Cities. Home prices climb from the flat grid of Van Nuys and Reseda to the hillside pockets of Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Calabasas. For renters, RentCafe's August 2026 all-sizes averages run from $2,051 in Reseda and $2,085 in Van Nuys to $2,540 in Sherman Oaks, $2,698 in Studio City and $2,812 in Woodland Hills, against $2,758 for the City of LA as a whole.
Getting Around the Valley
The 101, 405, 118, 170, and 210 freeways crisscross the Valley. Ventura Boulevard runs east–west through the southern Valley. Metro's Orange Line BRT and G Line (formerly Orange Line extension) connect NoHo to Chatsworth. Traffic is heavy during commute hours, particularly on the 405 and 101.
Schools
The Valley is served by LAUSD with numerous well-rated public schools and many private options. Burbank Unified and Las Virgenes Unified (Calabasas) are independent districts with strong reputations.
Moving to the Valley with Best Movers LA
We serve every Valley neighborhood — from Canoga Park to Glendale, from Sylmar to Studio City. Call us for a free quote on your Valley move.
Related questions
Is moving in the Valley different from moving on the Westside?
Mostly easier, and cheaper for the same square footage. Valley houses more often have driveways and garages, which means the truck parks close and the carry is short — and carry distance is one of the quiet drivers of an hourly bill. The trade is summer heat and the canyon crossings.
How does Valley heat affect a move?
Substantially, from June through September. Afternoons in the 100s are hard on crews, on candles, electronics, vinyl and artwork, and on anyone unpacking. Book the earliest slot you can get, have the air conditioning on at the destination before the truck arrives, and do not let the loaded truck stand in the sun.
Which Valley neighborhoods are hardest for a moving truck?
The hillside streets on the south edge — parts of Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Toluca Lake above Ventura — where roads narrow and turn and a 26-foot truck often cannot be parked legally. The flat grid from Van Nuys out to Woodland Hills is straightforward by comparison.
What does a Valley move cost?
The same published rates as anywhere else we at Best Movers LA work: $88/hr for two movers and a truck, $128/hr for three, $168/hr for four, three-hour minimum, California double drive time. Valley jobs often come in at the lower end of their range because the truck parks closer to the door.
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