Burbank Real Estate
Beautiful downtown Burbank. That phrase started out as a gentle ribbing of the City of Burbank by the announcer of the TV show Laugh In with Rowan and Martin in 1968. The show was produced by NBC which was based in Burbank at the time. Today it is a much more heartfelt moniker because the place is certainly truly beloved by its residents for all of the same reasons it was made fun of in 1968 - it is not Hollywood.
Its place on the opposite side of the Hollywood hills is what makes this city so attractive to homebuyers. It is close enough to Los Angeles, but not Los Angeles. If you are one of the tens of thousands of employees of the big media companies, you are not driving the 101 on a daily commute to and from work.
If you love the southern CA lifestyle but do not love the challenges of the big cities, this is the place for you. An independent city with its own school district and police force that are both totally and uniquely focused on the needs of its residents. The results are impressive.
Count on us to find the perfect home, in the perfect neighborhood, for you in Burbank.
The Neighborhoods of Burbank
Burbank truly has something for everyone. From verdant hillsides to funky throwback 1920’s locals to trendy urban environments and planned equestrian neighborhoods in the heart of the valley, there is so much variety that there really has to be an option that will work for any family.
If you are considering Burbank because of it’s central location in the San Fernando Valley or close proximity to the centers of employment in the entertainment and media businesses then you might want to look into one of these neighborhoods :
Hillside District is the area in the north of Burbank that is tucked up against Verdugo Mountains and boasts miles of hiking trails and easy access to nature in the Stough Canyon Nature Center. On top of that, it is home to the fabulous views of the Castaway Restaurant, and the scenic links of DeBell Public Golf Course and live performances under the stars at the Starlight Bowl amphitheatre.
Magnolia Park is a 1920’s mixed business and residential zone in the geographic center of the city that is known for its unique assortment of Mom & Pop restaurants and shops. Some of our favorites are Atomic Records, Vintage Playclothes and Pinup Girl Clothing.
The Media District is the center of employment in Burbank, with large facilities dedicated to TV, film and music production. It tends to have a little bit more of an urban feel. Most of the houses in the area were built in the 1940’s and are found on wide, tree-lined streets.
Probably the most unique neighborhood in Burbank is the Burbank Rancho Equestrian District. Set against the northern boundary of Griffith Park and adjacent to the Equestrian Center, Burbank Rancho is both pedestrian and equestrian friendly. It is not uncommon to see neighbors riding their horses on the street on the way to one of the many horse trails.
Burbank has Fantastic Schools
Burbank attracts families because it is just a great place for kids. One of the major contributing factors is the independent Burbank Unified School District. Comprised of 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools and 5 alternative/charter schools, it is consistently ranked highly by the various organizations that do that kind of thing.
According to Niche, BUSD is rated A overall, with A rates for academics, teachers, diversity and health and safety. It’s only non-A rating is a B- for clubs and activities. It rates an A+ for college prep.
According to GreatSchools, all but 3 of the BUSD schools rank above average.
Burbank - Best Commutes in LA
Everyday thousands of employees of the major media companies based in Burbank, including The Burbank Studios, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon brave the 101 to get into Burbank. Those that live here can ride their bike to work. That makes the City of Burbank and the Burbank Media District a mecca for families of employees of these companies.
For many families, there is often no need to go into the city because there is so much to do right here in Burbank. Having said that, Burbank’s central location in the San Fernando Valley makes travel to other areas easy with quick access to the 5, the 101, the 134 and the 170. So if your industry job is in Hollywood or Pasadena, at least your trek on the freeway will get off to a great start.
Burbank Real Estate FAQs
Is downtown Burbank truly beautiful as the saying goes?
We may be biased because we truly love what Burbank has to offer, but we would definitely say yes. Its LA but its not… there are hundreds of unique shops and restaurants, and thousands of parking spots, so you do not have to stress out over parking every time you leave the house.
Is Burbank served by the Los Angeles Independent School District?
The short answer is no. The Burbank Unified School District is an independent school district with 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools and 5 alternative schools. The BUSD is given an A rank by Niche and all but one of the schools in the district is scored above average by GreatSchools.
What’s it like to live in Burbank?
As you might expect of a city with over 100,000 residents, that depends on the neighborhood. For instance, the Hillside District is set against the Verdugo Mountains and is full of natural splendor accessed via hiking trails. Magnolia Park is an up and coming mixed residential and business district that contains lots of unique small retail shops, great restaurants and coffee houses. The Media District has a more urban feel and is home to major media companies like The Burbank Studios and Walt Disney Studios. Most unique among the neighborhoods of Burbank is the Burbank Rancho Equestrian District, which, you guessed it, is specifically developed around horse ownership and riding.