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Neighborhood Watch: The Reasons Why Sherman Oaks Houses for Sale Stir Up So Much Competition

 

Featured image credit: Los Angeles

If you’re curious about Sherman Oaks houses for sale, get in line. This is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley. Just don’t remind them that they’re in the Valley. They famously tried to secede from it in 2002. Sherman Oaks is beloved for its serene suburbia, general safety, and numerous shopping and recreation options. Sounds like the perfect candidate for JohnHart’s Neighborhood Watch column!

The (Expanding) Boundaries of Sherman Oaks

Photo credit: Cbl62

A sizable neighborhood, Sherman Oaks finds its northern borders stacked between Oxnard Street (where Van Nuys begins) and Burbank Boulevard (at the boundary of Valley Glen). The 405 freeway cuts its western border with Encino just beyond it. Coldwater Canyon Avenue separates it from Valley Village to the east. And its southern sector travels significantly into the Santa Monica Mountains, terminating at Mulholland Drive. 

But Sherman Oaks wasn’t always so sprawling. The neighborhood successfully expanded in 1991 when residents of Chandler Estate petitioned to have the borders redrawn to include them. So, if you’re having no luck finding Sherman Oaks houses for sale, you could always just try to get the border stretched again. It may sound absurd, but Magnolia Woods tried the same tactic weeks after Chandler Estate and also succeeded. 

So Van Nuys got smaller and Sherman Oaks got bigger. It’s the reason why Van Nuys Middle School is in Sherman Oaks instead of Van Nuys. While it may seem like unnecessary confusion, restructuring of the Valley has been going on for decades. Even as recently as 2009, an extra area of approximately 1,800 homes was tacked onto Sherman Oaks.  

The “Sherman” in Sherman Oaks

Photo credit: Clotee Pridgen Allochuku

You may be wondering about the neighborhood’s name. Who was Sherman? The “Sherman” in Sherman Oaks refers to General Moses Hazeltine Sherman, the developer of the neighborhood. Sherman was one of the primary partners of the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company. It’s no coincidence that he was also heavily involved in the expansion of the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad which was instrumental in the early growth of the San Fernando Valley. 

Population Distribution

The 2022 Los Angeles Almanac reported that, at the time, Sherman Oaks had a population of 66,686 residents, though it can feel like more when you hit the shopping centers and surrounding freeways. That’s because the neighborhood’s population density is significantly lowered by the portion that dips into the Santa Monica Mountains. And while you can still find Sherman Oaks houses for sale in the mountains, the geography demands a more spacious orchestration. 

What to Consider When Shopping Sherman Oaks Houses for Sale

Since Sherman Oaks is a suburban neighborhood, it’s difficult to distinguish its top employer. Most of the immediately noticeable businesses are in the retail sector. The city’s once burgeoning (and hopefully soon to be rebounding) entertainment sector is a major provider of employment for Sherman Oaks homeowners with many commuting to nearby Studio City for work. With the 405 and 101 freeways, two of LA’s busiest freeways, bordering Sherman Oaks, commuting by car tends to be a popular option. However, Metro buses do service the area.

Photo credit: Clotee Pridgen Allochuku

We mentioned that safety was a major reason why the Sherman Oaks houses for sale typically fly off the market. But more specifically, Sherman Oaks is regarded as one of the safest neighborhoods in the Greater Los Angeles area. It’s a staggering 53% below the national safety average as of 2022. Of course, this stat focuses on crimes as opposed to natural disasters like earthquakes. It’s worth noting that Sherman Oaks was somewhat close to the epicenter of 1994’s Northridge earthquake. Like the majority of the Valley’s neighborhoods, portions of Sherman Oaks sustained significant damage from the 6.7 magnitude disaster.

Schools are obviously another important consideration when browsing Sherman Oaks houses for sale. The area is host to several public schools, though many of the area children attend private schools in the community. 

Recreation in Sherman Oaks

The center of community recreation in Sherman Oaks is arguably the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center. Satisfying a myriad of community concerns, the site offers amenities including:

  • Auditorium
  • Baseball Diamonds 
  • Basketball Courts
  • Community Room
  • Football Field
  • Gymnasium
  • Picnic Area
  • Playground
  • Senior Center (regarded as independent of the recreation center but at the same site)
  • Soccer Field
  • Swimming Pool (regarded as independent of the recreation center but at the same site)
  • Tennis Courts
Photo credit: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks also runs Sherman Oaks Castle Park, a castle-shaped family fun center offering:

  • Arcade Games
  • Batting Cages
  • Mini Golf Course

Some of the Best Shopping in the Valley

Some of the best malls in the city can be found in Sherman Oaks, including a few survivors from LA’s golden age of shopping malls. These include Westfield Fashion Square and, of course, the Sherman Oaks Galleria. But for something a bit more unique, the Sherman Oaks Antique Mall is also worth a visit. 

Another hot spot for both shopping and dining is Ventura Boulevard, noted for providing the world’s longest contiguous stretch of commercial space in the world. A prime portion of Ventura Boulevard cuts right through the neighborhood. So, if shopping is a concern in your search for Sherman Oaks houses for sale, rest assured you’ll find what you need.

Photo credit: King of Hearts

The Highly Competitive Market for Sherman Oaks Homes

It seems that just a couple of short decades ago, Sherman Oaks was a sleepy suburb not extraordinarily different from its surroundings. But in that time, its popularity has rapidly grown to one of the most in-demand areas in the Valley. Needless to say, there’s quite a lot of competition for Sherman Oaks houses for sale. But our agents are very active in the area, so if you’re dreaming of a Sherman Oaks home, let us know!  


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