Lake Balboa Los Angeles, CA

The Lake Balboa neighborhood officially broke away from the long-time Los Angeles neighborhood of Van Nuys in 2006. While Van Nuys had a long history, dating back to the early 1900s when the L.A. Red Car trolley line ran out there, residents of the Lake Balboa area wanted to separate from it to help home values and to create a greater sense of community. The community takes its name from the 27-acre manmade lake in the center of Balboa Park just to the south of the neighborhood. The largely residential, working-class Lake Balboa neighborhood has no museums and no real arts or theater scene, though plenty of live theater and music is available in North Hollywood a few communities to the east.

The relaxed vibe of Lake Balboa means that most neighborhood restaurants are also casual and low-key. You can find a relaxing, tasty place to eat almost anywhere in Lake Balboa, with restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhood. Locals love going to Humble Bee on Saticoy Street for breakfast or lunch for the fresh food, friendly service and reasonable prices. At breakfast or brunch, make sure to try the panwich, a sausage and egg sandwich served between two pancakes and topped with maple mascarpone cheese and apple salsa. Even though the restaurant's just squeezed into a strip mall, don't be surprised to find customers lining up. The San Fernando Valley may be packed with Mexican restaurants, but Salsa & Beer stands out as something special. With outstanding bean dip, generous enchiladas and a great salsa bar, Salsa and Beer serves authentic Mexican food at its best. Lake Balboa residents head to hole-in-the-wall Guido's Pizza & Pasta for pizzas that far outshine the local chains. Pizzas are baked to order, and the meatballs and fettuccine Alfredo also get raves, as does the homemade ranch dressing for the salads. If you're picking up your pizza to go, add on an appetizer of chicken wings, eggplant or potato skins. Nightlife in Lake Balboa tends to be as low-key and undemanding as the restaurant scene. For live music, you'll have to go to Tarzana or Northridge, but if you're a karaoke fan, head straight to Carnival Karaoke on Sherman Way. Rent private rooms by the hour to enjoy a wide selection of music, from musical theater to top 40, and don't forget to pick up a tambourine to keep the rhythm going. Pogo's and the Copper Bucket are both dive bars with a lot of loyal fans in the neighborhood. With a great jukebox and inexpensive drinks, Pogo's manages to feel safe and edgy at the same time. The Copper Bucket features a pool table, darts and a relaxing vibe where no one's trying to impress anyone.

Many L.A. bus routes run through the Lake Balboa neighborhood, connecting residents to West Hills, Sun Valley, North Hollywood, Burbank, Encino, Sylmar, Universal City, Tarzana, Chatsworth, Northridge, Studio City and Sherman Oaks. While no cabs roam the streets, just call a taxi, Uber or an airport shuttle for a ride off the public bus routes. Most Lake Balboa residents choose to get around using their own cars. Parking in the neighborhood tends to be easy to find and free, with traffic running more smoothly than in much of the Los Angeles basin. While there aren't many places within walking distance in Lake Balboa from a practical point of view, all of Balboa Park makes itself available to walkers, cyclists and runners. Many streets have bike lanes, and cycling tends to be simple and fast in this flat section of the San Fernando Valley.

Although the major park in the Lake Balboa neighborhood has been renamed the Anthony C. Beilenson Park, locals still call it Balboa Park. The 80-acre park is divided into unique sections with something of interest for everyone. Let your kids play on the playgrounds, have a picnic or barbecue, go for a hike with your on-leash dog, fly your remote-controlled planes, or visit the Japanese garden. The park also features 5 miles of trails and paths, which are perfect for bike riding, running, rollerblading. Recreational and sports opportunities abound in the park, which contains three public golf courses, a cricket pitch, an archery range, outdoor workout equipment, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and swimming pools. In the center of Balboa Park, you'll find the 27-acre Lake Balboa. Take a stroll around the lake, feed the ducks, take a boat out on the lake, or relax and do some fishing — though you'd be advised not to eat the fish. Neighbors and those from outside the area flock to the park yearly for Worldfest, a vegetarian food and music festival. In addition, in February and March, many stop to enjoy the blossoming of the many cherry trees in the Japanese garden.

Young families consider Lake Balboa a hidden gem because of its relatively low cost of living, 7 percent lower than that of Los Angeles as a whole. While the cost of gasoline runs about 12 percent higher than the national average, you can hop a bus all the way to downtown Los Angeles for only $1.75. Rent a one-bedroom apartment for only $1,334 per month, and stop at a local bar to enjoy a pint of beer for $3 to $8, depending on your taste.

While Lake Balboa residents tend to head to Northridge Fashion Center to buy clothing or to the nearby Target or Home Depot for other staples, several smaller specialty stores have set up shop inside the neighborhood, with many geared toward hobbyists and crafters. If you're a fan of remote-controlled vehicles, head to Hobby House on Vanowen Street for all your RC supplies and parts. The knowledgeable staff give great advice generously and will happily order any parts you need. A Major Knitwork on Balboa Boulevard carries beautiful yarns of high quality. Many knitters love to come sit, chat and knit with the friendly owners. Galaxy of Comics on Saticoy Street provides a second home for comic-book fans, with great prices and a laid-back, kid-friendly environment. Come here to talk about comics and your favorite fandoms with the owners and staff, and flip through the bargain bins to see if you spot any treasures. Locals head to Ralphs or Food 4 Less to do their grocery shopping, and many also swear by Greenland Market. Greenland Market features a Korean market with a working butcher shop and great Asian produce as well as many Latin foods. If you want to pick up the freshest produce straight from the farm, head to the nearby Northridge or Encino farmers' markets.