Is there anything wrong with Van Nuys?

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by Mr.Kurtz

I understand you and appreciate your vision and positive mindset ... However, that takes vision and a lot of money, and 100% American vision and ingenuity. The huge problem is Van Nuys is now almost 100% Mexican owned and occupied. The Colorado Blvd and most of Pasadena is still mostly American owned and operated. Van Nuys will always be what it is today, and for the last 25 years. Or since the mid 1980s. Hispanic or Mexican occupied. I think 95% of every business store front on Van Nuys Blvd is Hispanic - Mexican owned. So, your comparison of Colorado Blvd carries no merit.

My two cents

Not all Latinos/Hispanics in Van Nuys (or LA) are Mexican or Mexican-American. There are quite a few Salvadorans in Van Nuys. There used to a small Peruvian presence as well.

To your larger point, so you've researched all the property deeds along Van Nuys Blvd and can tell us they are 100% Mexican owned? Simply not at all likely and NOT true. The property owners along Van Nuys are most likely a mixture of old line Anglo and Jewish LA families/landlords.

Yes, the local businesses do cater to the local population (i.e., Latinos). Nothing surprising about that.

The real reasons that the revitalization of Old Town Pasadena will NOT work on Van Nuys Blvd are as follows:

1. The buildings on Colorado Blvd have great bones. Very nice old character buildings. The buildings on Van Nuys Blvd simply do NOT have that kind of character. Harder to engineer a come back.
2. Demographics: Pasadena is/was loaded with high-income professionals who can spend the money to bring in the high-end restaurants and shops.
3. Competition: There was little or no competition for Colorado Bvld. to the local area. So once it got fixed up, local residents flocked to it. Not the case with Van Nuys: Sherman Oaks Galleria, Ventura Blvd are right there.

[Marce30]

Is there anything wrong ? yes, everything. Ghetoo, dirty, a LOT of mexicans, poor people and so on.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by Marce30

Is there anything wrong ? yes, everything. Ghetoo, dirty, a LOT of mexicans, poor people and so on.

LOL...at least those poor, ignorant folks in the "Ghetto" can spell correctly.

[JerZ]

My husband lived in a cute apartment complex for years in Van Nuys as a young single person and loved it. His commute was so short and he liked his place. BTW, he's so white he's practically see-through (Scandinavian heritage). Had no trouble that he's ever mentioned. That doesn't mean nobody will ever have any trouble living in Van Nuys. I'm just putting in my second-hand account.

[New Horizons]

I've had an odd infatuation with Van Nuys for many years. And no I'm not trolling. I mean just the name, Van Nuys, it's so renowned. This is where Nikki Sixx lived when he struggled with a heroin addiction. I remember hearing some famous standup comedian once talking about her "...ty Van Nuys Apartment". I can't remember the first time I had heard of the city, but I think it was when I was a young kid watching a porn and the credits rolled up the screen at the end.
Look at this Google Map link:
los angeles, ca - Google Maps
It's not exactly what you would categorize as paradise, some might even say it's ugly. But to me, it's perfect. I just need a cheap apartment right off Van Nuys boulevard, within a short walk to a burrito joint and convenience store. A balcony would be nice too where I could step outside and breath in that wonderful valley air.

[Mr.Kurtz]

I was an out - of - work Actor living in Van Nuys in the late 1980s .... I remember a night out at La Fogata ( VN Blv & 101 ) was the bee's knees. Van Nuys had character, even today ... Jogging around Sherman Oaks Park was fun, safe and calming, even today. I miss those days ....

[caligyrl73]

Having lived here for about five years now, I'd say Van Nuys has its pros and cons-like any city in America. Pros: low cost housing compared to other parts of the San Fernando Valley, an ethnically diverse population, easy access to freeways/highways and a beautiful recreational park (Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve/Lake Balboa). Cons: some parts of the city are sketchy and/or noisy.

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[Tasksgirl]

Van Nuys is biiiiiig. Not all of it is so horrible. And in general - streets with homes are nicer than streets with apartments.