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Lake Balboa

Lake Balboa

Neighborhood in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles County 91325, 91406

$905,194 Average Value
$611 Average Price per Sq Ft
31 Homes For Sale

Lake Balboa used to be a part of Van Nuys before a big rebrand

Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, known locally as the Valley, Lake Balboa is a primarily residential suburb about 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles. “Twenty years ago, this neighborhood didn’t exist; it was just called Van Nuys,” says Keller Williams Realtor Allan Mann, who has decades of experience. “They wanted to spark revitalization, so they embarked on this massive rebrand, naming the community after the lake" at Anthony C. Beilenson Park. "So now you’re buying a house in Lake Balboa instead of Van Nuys, which makes a difference in price and prestige.” The quintessential Valley neighborhood, Lake Balboa is flat and easy to navigate, with a robust inventory of homes with midcentury character.

Lake Balboa is bordered by Van Nuys, Reseda, and Encino.
Lake Balboa is bordered by Van Nuys, Reseda, and Encino.
Lake Balboa offers a suburban feel while still being a part of Greater Los Angeles.
Lake Balboa offers a suburban feel while still being a part of Greater Los Angeles.
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Classic ranch-style homes are common but not cookie-cutter

The housing in Lake Balboa is primarily single-family, with a small inventory of condos, townhomes and apartments. “Homes were built in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, so you’ll get a mix of midcentury architecture here. Nothing cookie-cutter,” Mann says. The classic midcentury ranch-style home is king in Lake Balboa, and there are many contemporary two-story offerings on infill lots. “What I love about L.A. is you have such a mix of architectural styles. It’s a melting pot of homes,” says Compass agent Charlie Clark, who has almost 25 years of experience. Homes in the neighborhood are modestly sized — two- to four-bedrooms and between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet. “Most of the homes here are going to hit somewhere between $800,000 and $1.2 million, though it can go a little higher or lower,” Mann says. Condos and townhomes are priced between $450,000 and $700,000. Monthly HOA fees typically range from $185 to $550 for condos and from $500 to $600 for townhomes

Home prices are slightly lower in Lake Balboa than neighboring towns like Sherman Oaks.
Home prices are slightly lower in Lake Balboa than neighboring towns like Sherman Oaks.
Bungalow homes are common throughout Lake Balboa.
Bungalow homes are common throughout Lake Balboa.
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High Tech Los Angeles is one of the best charter schools in the state

Los Angeles Unified is an above-average public school district with a B grade from Niche. Also graded B, Stagg Street Elementary is a walkable community school, while Mulholland Middle gets a B-minus. Two of the best high schools in the district are in Lake Balboa — Daniel Pearly Magnet High School is graded A-minus, and High Tech Los Angeles has an A-plus. HTLA is the eighth-best charter high school in California, according to Niche. The school is small by Los Angeles standards, with around 400 students enrolled at any time — about 50% of whom are economically disadvantaged. HTLA has a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with specialized intensive, hands-on technology training.

Van Nuys Airport is private but still puts Lake Balboa in the flight path

Lake Balboa lacks direct highway access, but U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 405 are within a few miles of the neighborhood. Downtown Los Angeles is only 20 miles southeast, a drive that can take up to 90 minutes during unpredictable rush hours. There are bus routes operated by LA Metro on major thoroughfares like Balboa Boulevard and Sherman Way, and commuter rail service is available via Metrolink. The closest airport is Van Nuys, along the community’s eastern border. “Van Nuys is a private airfield, so you don’t have the commercial flights coming in, but Lake Balboa is in a flight path, so you’re going to get some plane noise,” Mann says. "But a lot of people want to live near the airport because there's a whole industry with the planes there." Hollywood Burbank is the closest international airport, about 10 miles away, and Los Angeles International is only 25 miles away. The nearest medical facility is Northridge Hospital Medical Center, about 3 miles away via Saticoy Street.

Lake Balboa has a diverse population.
Lake Balboa has a diverse population.
Lake Balboa is a highly-sought after suburb of Los Angeles.
Lake Balboa is a highly-sought after suburb of Los Angeles.
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Kayaking and canoeing, but no swimming at Lake Balboa

The neighborhood's primary green space is Louise Park, at Lake Balboa's heart. The park has a robust playground with a sandy base, grassy open spaces, picnic tables, a basketball court and a lighted baseball diamond. Situated on a few acres, Louise Park has plenty of mature shade trees and room for playing and walking dogs. The park hosts community events, like Movie Night At The Park. Anthony C. Beilenson Park is the site of the 30-acre Lake Balboa, which allows kayaking but not paddleboarding or swimming due to water conditions. The park also has multiple cricket fields, a tennis center, an amphitheater and a model aircraft field. There is a Japanese garden at the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex, one of the bigger and busier urban parks in Los Angeles that's home to many indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The area has multiple golf courses, including Woodley Lakes and Balboa Lake.

Lake Balboa has fish and fauna.
Lake Balboa has fish and fauna.
Enjoy a nice stroll along the Balboa Lake.
Enjoy a nice stroll along the Balboa Lake.
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There are small retail store and restaurants in and around Saticoy Plaza

Lake Balboa is primarily residential, though there are some shopping and dining destinations in and around Saticoy Plaza. There’s a Ralphs for stocking up on groceries. Among the retail stores are GNC, Rite Aid, the UPS Store and a sports memorabilia store called Cardboard Legends. Humble Bee is a bakery and cafe that offers organic ingredients, house-baked breads and pastries. The interior features concrete floors and exposed ductwork, but with warm wooden accents and a lot of natural light. Fortune House Restaurant is a classic hole-in-the-wall venue with authentic Thai food. A butcher shop and eatery with a Mediterranean flair, Chop Shop Butcher & Grill sells raw meat and specializes in plates, bowls and sandwiches.

Amber Steinmetz-Cole
Written By
Amber Steinmetz-Cole
Jonathan Quinones
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Quinones
Sara Warthen
Video By
Sara Warthen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Michael Rescigno, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bob Hope

17 min drive

Bus

Sherman Way & Encino

Bus

Balboa & Stagg

Bus

Balboa Blvd & Victory Blvd (Northbound)

Bus

Victory & White Oak

Bus

Victory & Encino

Bus

Sherman Way & Balboa

Bus

Balboa Blvd & Sherman Way (Northbound)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lake Balboa US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$875,000
Median Single Family Price
$910,000
Median Townhouse Price
$475,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$527,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$611
Number of Homes for Sale
31
Last 12 months Home Sales
395
Months of Supply
0.90
Median List Price
$899,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
6,980
Median Year Built
1951
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,480
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,573
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,302
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
994
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
500
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Open Houses

  • Tuesday, Apr 29
    11am - 2pm

    17638 Lemay St, Van Nuys, CA 91406

    $1,077,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,481 Sq Ft
    • 17638 Lemay St
    • New 1 day ago

    This beautifully updated four-bedroom, two-bathroom mid-century ranch is nestled in the serene and sought-after neighborhood of Lake Balboa. A large picture window floods the living room with natural light, while the adjacent dining area opens to a bright, remodeled kitchen featuring custom white wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a slate subway tile backsplash, and granite countertops.

    Elisa G. Ritt Compass

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  • Saturday, May 3
    1 - 3pm

    7458 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

    $1,249,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,366 Sq Ft
    • 7458 Balboa Blvd
    • New 2 days ago

    This gorgeous 4 bedroom, 3 bath pool home, which was built in 1998 and extensively renovated in 2021, has been meticulously maintained by its original owners. Located on a nearly 10,000 sq ft lot in the heart of Lake Balboa, the house sits back from the street behind an automatic gate and privacy hedge. Bring all your family and friends, because the sizable front of the property includes a

    Karin Carson COMPASS

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Michael Rescigno, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
25,846
Median Age
42
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$85,957
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$108,834

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
83%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.6%
Advanced Degrees
12.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.2%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
13''
Average Winter Low Temperature
45°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

74 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

43 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lake Balboa