Spanish for “oak tree”, the city of Encino has been a growing seed of the Los Angeles area since the mid-1800s. Near the southern part of the San Fernando Valley, this city has gorgeous communities and beautiful mountain views. People keep moving to Encino for the growing real estate opportunities, then staying for the fantastic weather and fun things to do.

As a popular hub for medical and healthcare professionals who work at the local medical center, it is also home to many business professionals who commute into town for work. With expensive homes overlooking the valley, Encino has hosted properties owned by many famous movie stars and musical artists, including Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.

If you plan on moving to Encino, you’ll be joining a great community with some truly envious local amenities. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know before moving to this area in 2019.

1. Los Encinos State Park

One of the most popular attractions around town is the Los Encinos State Historic Park. Home to interesting buildings like the De La Ossa adobe and the old blacksmith shop, the area has a unique history and plenty of things to do. Enjoy a picnic surrounded by beautiful plants and trees, followed by feeding some of the lively ducks and geese. You’ll find a couple of coin-operated duck food dispensers around the pond.

Some of the area buildings have exhibits of local artifacts like desks, old wedding dresses, and even antique kitchen utensils. Once a month, the blacksmith shop also does demonstrations, making things like horseshoes for interested spectators.

2. People in Encino

The current Encino population is around 56,000 and 38% of that is families with children under the age of 18. Encino is a great place to raise your kids with all the local activities and events that take place there. One of the top places for children, is the Los Angeles Zoo, only about a 30-minute drive away. Monkeys, amphibians, birds, and many more animals all await the local zoo visitors.

With a median age of 43 in the area, Encino has found a good balance of activities for adults as well. Fans of golf will enjoy a day out on the links at the Encino Golf Course, followed by a drink or meal at their club restaurant.

3. SuihoEn: The Japanese Garden

If you are a fan of Japanese architecture and horticulture, you will love the SuihoEn Japanese Garden. As one of the most beautiful and tranquil settings you’ll ever see, experience a Japanese paradise of waterfalls, unique lanterns, water gardens, and beautiful bridges. Visitors can come to enjoy local events, plan their own special occasions, or simply wander through the gardens.

Science fiction fans may also recognize this place as the home of the classic Star Trek’s Starfleet Academy. Productions like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek Voyager were all filmed in this location at different points throughout the series.

4. Encino Housing Market

With the average cost of a home in Encino currently hovering around $1,010,200, you’ll need to be financially prepared to live there. This number sets it at about 105% higher than the Los Angeles area average and well above the California average. Currently a buyer’s market, Encino home prices have risen 9.8% over the last year and are projected to go up another 4.6% in the next 12 months.

If you’re more interested in renting for now, you’ll find the average rent prices in Encino are presently around $3,800 per month. This is another number that has been on the rise over the last few years. As the Los Angeles average rent is slightly less than $3,000 per month, you will find rental homes in Encino are a bit more pricey. But they also offer easier access to the area’s amenities.

5. Cost of Living in Encino

Apart from housing, the cost of living in Encino matches the numbers of Los Angeles in every other category. You’ll find a comparable cost of living index for healthcare, transportation, as well as food and groceries. There is pretty standard pricing for things like a gallon of milk for $2.16, a loaf of bread for around $2, and a pound of ground beef for under $5.

Local transportation options include the Los Angeles METRO, the City of Los Angeles Taxi Services, and standard rideshare options like Uber and Lyft. The METRO offers options ranging from $1.75 per ride up to $100 for a 30-day pass. If you need something in between, for a shorter period of time, you can also get a 7-day pass for $25.

6. Best Encino Neighborhoods

If you want to live in a great part of Los Angeles, you’ll find some of the area’s best neighborhoods in Encino. Homes around places like the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area can be found in communities such as Encino Village. You’ll see some of the spacious single-family homes that dominate this residential neighborhood.

Before moving to Encino, a quick drive down Ventura Boulevard, which cuts right through the center of town, will give a quick look at the area and make it easy to find a neighborhood suited for your needs. The entire town has a fairly low crime rate, compared to those closer to downtown Los Angeles.

7. Encino Schools

Covering a smaller area of Los Angeles, you won’t find many options when it comes to Encino schools. But the choices you have offer strong educational curriculum and lower than average student to teacher ratios. One of the top elementary options is Encino Charter Elementary School, which boasts a 10/10 rating on test scores when compared to other L.A. elementary programs.

The closest colleges in the area include the Pepperdine Encino Graduate Campus, and the College of Nursing & Technology in Reseda.

8. Places to Eat in Encino

While you could travel to Los Angeles for an expensive, fancy restaurant experience, there are plenty of great places to eat in Encino. For a nice view of a lake at any time of day, while enjoying food with a focus on local, organic produce, head over to Lakeside Cafe. If you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, a fresh sandwich, or a classic hot dog, then The Stand may be the place for you.

But if you’d rather have the top-rated sushi in the area, you’ll want to make your way over to The Fish House. From seafood to sushi, they do it right and will take good care of you. For something a bit different, the Green Cottage offers a unique selection of Mediterranean cuisine including hummus, seared ahi tuna, pizza, and more.

9. Encino Weather

Ready to be envied by your friends and family who live in the central and eastern United States? Less than 45 minutes from the beach, Encino weather is cool and comfortable all year long. Pack away your winter coat because you won’t need it here as temperatures rarely dip below 50°F, even during the coldest months.

Summers are sunny and clear with highs almost never reaching the 90s. You’ll be able to rock a t-shirt and shorts every day as the outdoors are always wide open to Encino locals.

Moving to Encino? Trust Osmon Moving & Storage to Help!

These are the main details and facts you need to know about living in Encino. As an upper-class community with a dominating housing market, it is a great place for medical professionals, business executives, and more.

If you’re moving to Encino, we would love to help you with the transition. Osmon Moving & Storage has been serving the area for years as one of the top Encino moving companies around. Be sure to contact us to learn about how we can help you or give us a call at (800) 807-6181 for a free quote!