Best Streets/Complexes to own condo in Sherman Oaks (Burbank: apartment, condos)

[TheGreatUnwashed]

Hello folks, In a separate thread i was looking for advice on places to live for a 350k condo budget, considering a commute to Santa Monica where I work. I've somewhat settled on the idea of moving to Sherman Oaks as I recently scouted out the area and liked what I saw.

I'm looking for advice from the Sherman Oaks locals or experts here.... I've read that Benefit/Dickens just south of the boulevard are excellent areas but there are very few condos available there (though I've seen some around 300k which is very appealing).

I've also heard Willis, which is just north of Ventura is good. Outside of these streets where else is it nice to live? From driving around the neighborhood it generally looked nicer south of the 101 freeway but i don't want to pass up potentially good condos north of the freeway, or further east on the Studio City border either (Like that Oak Pointe place I saw on Magnolia that looked nice).

I'm 29 with a girlfriend and no kids on the way anytime soon if that helps. thank you in advance!

[BRinSM]

the further from the 405 you get, the more difficult your commute will be. as for sherman oaks, pretty much the entire area is nice to very nice except for the area bordering van nuys (which still isn't too bad). i can't give you specific intersections to look at, but staying south of the 101 is best and south of the boulevard is ideal.

[TheGreatUnwashed]

South of the boulevard is tough because there is basically ONE street that has condos on it and that is Dickens. There are a few sprinkled on Greenleaf and that short street Benefit but not much else.

[BluSpark]

Originally Posted by tmblackflag

South of the boulevard is tough because there is basically ONE street that has condos on it and that is Dickens. There are a few sprinkled on Greenleaf and that short street Benefit but not much else.

I agree with BRinSM's basic advice. But you are correct that the inventory of condos "south" of the Blvd. is limited to just a few streets (like Dickens).

Absolutely nothing wrong with the complexes immediately north of Ventura Blvd. Just try to stay south of Magnolia (or no furhter north than Burbank).

[TheGreatUnwashed]

I've heard there is an area that's built on top of an old riverbed or dump or something that would crumble in an earth quake. Does anyone know specifically which area to avoid?

[BluSpark]

Originally Posted by tmblackflag

I've heard there is an area that's built on top of an old riverbed or dump or something that would crumble in an earth quake. Does anyone know specifically which area to avoid?

I am not aware of ANY dump in the vicinity.

The LA River does run through the northern stretches of Sherman Oaks and Studio City. But that is a concrete channel.

There is something called "liquefaction" where soil near a large water body can become unstable in an earthquake. This happened in the Marina District in San Fran. in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Many buildings in that district were heavily damaged. But the Marina district was "created" by landfill where dirt was moved to fill in the wet soil since the area is adjacent to the Bay.

Soil liquefaction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The LA River by contrast is a trickle. So I don't think that is an issue there. But flooding COULD BE an issue in storms like this one if your complex is right next to the river.

That said, you should try talking to some local realtors and ask them what they do or do not know. You can research it further based on what they say.

[SandyCo]

Many of the apartment buildings on Willis just north of Ventura Blvd. sustained heavy damage after the Northridge earthquake in 1994. I certainly wouldn't live in one of those! I'm not sure that Dickens St. would be much better. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

[goldiemom]

Kester and Moorpark has some nice condos, I believe. That area is great for walking, cafes, etc.
1 block north of Ventura. Good luck with your search.