Moving to Ventura Boulevard? Essential Local Checklist

Dreaming of a home where your morning coffee, dinner reservations, and weekend errands are all within a few blocks? Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks gives you that upbeat, urban-adjacent feel with a neighborhood pace. Still, moving here comes with a few local to-dos that are easy to miss. Use this checklist to set up your utilities, understand parking, plan for schools, and get settled with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Ventura Boulevard at a glance

Ventura Boulevard is the Valley’s main commercial corridor, lined with restaurants, shops, and services that make daily life convenient. For a quick overview of the street’s character and transit connections, review the background on Ventura Boulevard’s history and layout on Wikipedia. Sherman Oaks sits within the City of Los Angeles and follows the area’s community plan and planning guidance for development and streetscapes. You can see the city’s current planning context for Sherman Oaks on the LA City Planning page.

Local green spaces add balance to boulevard living. Residents use nearby trailheads and pocket parks like Dixie Canyon Park for short hikes into the Santa Monica Mountains. Community facilities such as the Van Nuys–Sherman Oaks Recreation Center offer fields and courts. For public safety and neighborhood updates, the area is served by the LAPD’s Van Nuys Community Police Station.

Your Ventura move-in timeline

2 to 4 weeks before move

• Start utilities. Set up electricity and water with LADWP using the city’s start service portal at LADWP. If your home uses natural gas, contact SoCalGas to start service and confirm any on-site appointment needs.
• Set trash and recycling. The City of Los Angeles provides pickup. Check your collection schedule and bin options through LA Sanitation.
• Check internet options. Spectrum and AT&T commonly serve the area, but availability is address-specific. Run an address check with your chosen provider.
• Calendar school steps. If you have children, review enrollment timelines early. Popular neighborhood charters and magnets may have waitlists.

Move week to week 2

• File change-of-address with USPS and update your bank, insurance, and employer. Update your driver’s license and voter registration after you move.
• Review street parking rules. Some blocks have time limits or meters, and some areas use Preferential Parking Districts. If your block is within a PPD, apply for resident or visitor permits through LADOT.
• Confirm school assignment. LAUSD boundaries vary by address. For example, Dixie Canyon Community Charter is a local option with its own process; start with the school’s website and the LAUSD boundary tools.

Safety and preparedness

• Earthquake readiness. Consider renters or homeowners insurance, explore earthquake insurance, secure tall furniture, and build a basic emergency kit.
• Wildfire and defensible space. Some foothill-adjacent properties may fall within updated fire hazard zones. Review current guidance from LAFD on the 2025 map updates and seller disclosures on the LAFD site.

Planning projects and permits

• Plan ahead for remodels. Structural, electrical, plumbing, or addition work typically requires permits through the City. For any work near sidewalks or driveways, confirm if you need additional right-of-way approvals. Start planning timelines early since inspections and permits can take time.

Getting around and daily life

Public transit runs along Ventura Boulevard, including Metro Local bus service that connects you across the Valley. Schedules and routes change, so check current timetables before you commute. The 101 freeway is close by and convenient, although peak-hour traffic can be heavy. Walking is easy near retail clusters, and bike infrastructure varies by block, so review safe routes as you learn the area.

Shopping, services, and dining are a highlight. You will find major centers like Westfield Fashion Square and the Sherman Oaks Galleria, plus a wide range of independent retailers, markets, and restaurants along the boulevard. Plan a few exploratory walks to get to know your new favorites.

Buyer and seller notes for Sherman Oaks

Published home values differ by data source, reporting method, and inventory mix. Use very recent local comps to guide pricing and expectations. South of Ventura often features larger single-family lots at higher price points, while north of Ventura includes more condos and townhomes with lower entry prices.

Property taxes follow California Proposition 13 with a base rate near 1 percent of assessed value plus any local assessments. Before you buy, review the parcel’s current assessment and any special levies using the county’s guidance at the LA County Property Tax site. For disclosures, sellers must provide standard state forms including natural hazard information. Because hazard maps were updated in 2025, verify whether your parcel is within a mapped fire hazard zone using current guidance from LAFD, and consult on AB 38 defensible space requirements if applicable.

If you are purchasing a condo or townhome, review the HOA’s financials, insurance, reserves, and any special assessments. For remodels or additions, follow city building and planning rules, and allow for permit and inspection lead times to keep your project on schedule.

Address-specific checks to do

• Confirm your LAUSD school assignment and any charter application timelines for your exact address.
• Verify street parking rules on your block, then apply for permits if your area is a PPD through LADOT.
• Look up current fire hazard guidance through LAFD if you are near the foothills.
• Start water and power at LADWP, then set your trash schedule with LA Sanitation.
• If you are comparing neighborhoods or planning a remodel, check the area’s context at LA City Planning.
• Save the LAPD Van Nuys Station contact page for community alerts and events.

Ready to move or thinking about selling near Ventura Boulevard? You deserve steady guidance from neighbors who live and work on the boulevard every day. For thoughtful plans, careful pricing, and high-touch service, reach out to Team Amalia-K for a local game plan that fits your goals.

FAQs

Is Ventura Boulevard walkable in Sherman Oaks?

• The commercial stretches are walkable for dining and errands, and walkability varies block by block based on storefronts and street design.

Which schools serve homes near Ventura Boulevard?

• Homes feed into LAUSD schools and nearby charters, and assignments depend on your exact address, so check school boundary tools and each school’s enrollment page.

Is Sherman Oaks in a wildfire zone?

• Some foothill-adjacent parcels may fall within updated hazard zones, so confirm your parcel’s status using the latest public guidance and plan defensible space if required.

How do you set up utilities after closing?

• Start electricity and water with LADWP, then contact SoCalGas if your property uses natural gas, and confirm any on-site appointment needs for your exact address.