Van Nuys just south of Victory: Safe or gang central? (Burbank: apartments, lease)

[attackula]

My friends and I found an absolutely gorgeous house on Hazeltine and Friar but I wanted to see if anyone knew the area before we moved in. It looks like the whole neighborhood is houses (almost all of which have "For Rent" signs or loads of Hispanic families in the front yard) but I've heard Van Nuys can be a bit dicey. We've all lived in tough places before so we don't mind seedy/Hispanic neighborhoods and we probably won't be walking around the streets at night or anything, but we're worried that it's not a particularly safe place. Am I being paranoid about it being a violent area or should we keep looking south?

If you were a moderately poor graduate student with the chance to rent a house here where would you rate this area between "Keep your valuables hidden and don't do anything dumb and you'll be fine" to "Good lord pay another 200 dollars so you don't get shot/robbed walking to your car"? Thanks for any advice!

[KnoxTown]

Honestly, I don't think Van Nuys is THAT bad... but.... its not great by any means.

I'd pay a little more, and move to a better area. You'll thank yourself later.

[cynwldkat]

I agree...usually there is a good reason the rents are low in any certain area. I do know the area and I'd pay a little more to be in a better area.

[JustPassinThru]

While I, too, believe that it is worth paying the extra dollars to live in a better area, I'm not sure if an additional $200 per month moves you up that much. Since you and your friends have lived in "tough places" before, this move could work for you. It wouldn't hurt to hedge your bet with a month-to-month tenancy, or a six month lease.

Virtually everyone that I know living in that area has been burgled at least once. I do have three buddies who rent a place six blocks away (from the intersection you mentioned), and they haven't had a problem, but someone is home 24-7. There are also many incidences of smash-and-grab, so you shouldn't leave items in your cars that are parked on the street.

I've walked the area at night, usually making beer runs for friends who refuse to leave the poker table, and have never had a problem. However, driving can be hazardous. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage costs pennies a day, and is money well spent.

[SandyCo]

I'd pay a little more and find a better area. That's just me, though. I'd rather live in a good area in a shoebox than have more room and feel imprisoned in my apartment.

[dontbugme]

If you go just a mile south and get south of Burbank Blvd you should be a much nicer, totally okay area.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by dontbugme

If you go just a mile south and get south of Burbank Blvd you should be a much nicer, totally okay area.

South of Burbank will put them in Sherman Oaks and the house rents will be much more. There are still some dicey areas south of Burbank as well, but at least they would be able to walk to the store without worry of being victimized.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by DaBeez

South of Burbank will put them in Sherman Oaks and the house rents will be much more. There are still some dicey areas south of Burbank as well, but at least they would be able to walk to the store without worry of being victimized.

He should look further East. It gets better as it goes towards Valley Village.

[streetscenes]

Originally Posted by attackula

My friends and I found an absolutely gorgeous house on Hazeltine and Friar but I wanted to see if anyone knew the area before we moved in. It looks like the whole neighborhood is houses (almost all of which have "For Rent" signs or loads of Hispanic families in the front yard) but I've heard Van Nuys can be a bit dicey. We've all lived in tough places before so we don't mind seedy/Hispanic neighborhoods and we probably won't be walking around the streets at night or anything, but we're worried that it's not a particularly safe place. Am I being paranoid about it being a violent area or should we keep looking south?

If you were a moderately poor graduate student with the chance to rent a house here where would you rate this area between "Keep your valuables hidden and don't do anything dumb and you'll be fine" to "Good lord pay another 200 dollars so you don't get shot/robbed walking to your car"? Thanks for any advice!

I don't think this area has a problem with violence, main thing would be property crime like an earlier post said. If you have a long driveway to park cars, house is secure and there is usually somebody home (or coming and going on an irregular basis) you should be fine. Make friends with your neighbors and they will keep an eye out for you also. The main thing about this part of the valley is density. Generally, the more apartments in the immediate area the worse things are. There are several tracts that are mostly SFR and perfectly fine. But some streets are mixed with apartments or next to a big street with lots of apartments.

[attackula]

Thanks everyone for the excellent advice! We're still debating it but this has been awesomely useful. If we end up there and anyone living nearby wants to set up a neighborhood watch let me know