Northridge is the ultimate suburb in
Los Angeles. Located at the heart of the San Fernando Valley, it's a fair distance away from Central LA and all its urban madness. Here, you'll find more beautiful homes and lush greenery and tall skyscrapers & bustling streets. And with institutions like California State University nearby, this is practically the perfect place to raise a family in the city. You can live in peace here, all while staying fairly near the city center. So, should you settle down in Northridge? Learn more about it first.
Where is Northridge in Los Angeles?
Northridge is located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, within the greater County of Los Angeles. It's mostly a suburb of the urbanized valley, a fair distance away from the
central neighborhoods of LA. The area even lies as much as 25 miles away from Downtown LA, further proving its suburban quality. Though The Valley's other neighborhoods surround it, its location still gives it ample tranquility. It's one of the best places to raise a family in peace while still staying fairly near the city center. Fortunately, public transport makes it easy for you to get to Downtown LA and back from Northridge.
Is it Safe in Northridge, Los Angeles?
The answer to this is a little bit complicated. Generally speaking, yes, Northridge is a safe neighborhood in Los Angeles. Since it's a suburb, the residents here get to enjoy a level of peace that's practically unheard of in central LA. With that said, however, there's also no denying that Northridge has higher
crime rates in Los Angeles, even compared to other, more urban areas. This doesn't necessarily mean that the neighborhood is dangerous, per se, but it's still worth noting just the same. So you should still take the necessary precautions when you go out here.
What's The Vibe in Northridge, Los Angeles?
The vibes at Northridge in Los Angeles are defined by its most prominent institution: California State University. The school serves as the centerpiece of the neighborhood, so much so that its students, professors, and other employees practically dominate the population. Hence, you can feel a strong academic presence in Northridge, with cafes filled with reading students, bookstores frequented by intellectuals, and the like. The youth of the area, namely the university students, also give it a more urban feel, setting up a few hotspots where they can still hang out and have fun beyond their studies.
Is it Expensive in Northridge, Los Angeles?
It depends on who you're asking. Northridge is generally pricey since
LA's living costs are generally high. No matter where you stay within the city, the Valley, or even the outskirts of the greater LA County, you're sure to encounter high prices. Northridge, specifically, however, is much more affordable compared to other parts of the city. The rent here, for instance, is at an average $1,900.00 per month, comparatively lower than the $2,000.00 to $5,000.00 per month in the more prominent neighborhoods. Even eating out here will only cost you around $75.00 to $170.00 per meal in mid-range restaurants.
What to See in Northridge, Los Angeles
Those
moving to LA but want to live a fairly quiet life will want to settle down in Northridge. Why? Because it has barely notable sights to see. While Central LA boasts a treasure trove of historic landmarks and popular hotspots, this neighborhood practically has none of them. As mentioned previously, the most prominent part of it is the California State University, which has a beautiful campus of pre-war buildings, neoclassical architecture, and the like. But apart from that, tourists won't find any worthwhile landmarks here, and that's not necessarily a bad thing for the locals.
What to Do in Northridge, Los Angeles
Despite its lack of tourist spots, there's still a lot to do in Northridge. For one thing, you can enjoy the slower pace here, which feels extremely refreshing after having faced Central LA's hustle and bustle. You can also do some shopping at the Northridge Fashion Center, the neighborhood's premier retail spot. It may be a typical mall, but it still features beloved brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, JCPenney, H&M, Guess, and more. Those feeling more adventurous would enjoy the Enchanted Escape Room on Tampa Avenue. It's the perfect place to get some excitement with friends and family in this relatively quiet suburb.
The Best Restaurants in Northridge, Los Angeles
Northridge's culinary scene is not to be overlooked. The neighborhood may not have any of
LA's best Michelin-starred restaurants, but it still features amazing eateries. Reseda Boulevard alone has the famous Chi's Chinese Cuisine, the Mediterranean-inspired Lemón Zëst cafe, and the popular Urban Skillet hamburger chain. The fact that you can enjoy all these different cuisines in such a suburb already proves that it's still worth eating out in Northridge.
Northridge has many interesting places to eat, including:
- Chi's Chinese Cuisine on Reseda Boulevard
- Halal House on Reseda Boulevard
- Halgatteok Northridge on Reseda Boulevard
- Kickin KAsian on Reseda Boulevard
- Lemón Zëst on Reseda Boulevard
- Urban Skillet Northridge on Reseda Boulevard
- Wood Ranch in Northridge Fashion Center on Tampa Avenue
- Yard House in Northridge Fashion Center on Tampa Avenue
- Brent's Deli Northridge in Corbin/Parthenia Center on Parthenia Street
- The Stand - American Classics Redefined on Plummer Street
What to Know About Renting in Northridge, Los Angeles
As already mentioned, the rent in Northridge, Los Angeles, is not that expensive. At about $1,900.00 per month, it's still fairly high in the grand scheme of things, but it's way lower compared to the rest of the city. A huge contrast to it is the average rent in Beverly Hills, which can go as high as $10.000.00 per month. So if you're on the lookout for more affordable
luxury rentals in Los Angeles, you'll want to look for places in Northridge. There may be more houses & lots in the areas than typical apartment units, but you'll still find many in the area.
As a suburb that's a fair distance away from Central Los Angeles, Northridge is slowly but surely becoming one of the best places to live in the San Fernando Valley. You can live here in relative peace while staying near the big city!
