So what’s it like growing up in houses versus apartments in the Valley? Well, I can answer that pretty easily because I’ve experienced both. I’ve lived in apartments, a townhouse, and single-family homes throughout different stages of my life. Overall, each place gave me memories I’ll always cherish, but if I’m being honest, living in a house was always my favorite.
When I was born, my parents lived in my dad’s townhouse in Granada Hills. That’s where my story began. Both sets of my grandparents owned homes, too. My dad’s parents lived in Porter Ranch, while my mom’s parents lived in West Hills. I spent so much time at both houses growing up that they each felt like a second home.
When my parents divorced a couple of years after I was born, my mom and I moved into apartments—first in Granada Hills and later in Northridge. Those experiences weren’t quite as enjoyable as living in the townhouse or spending time at my grandparents’ houses.
Apartment living definitely has its pros and cons. One thing I’ve learned is that you tend to hear everyone’s business, whether you want to or not. Of course, every apartment complex is different, but we dealt with noisy neighbors, difficult neighbors, and thankfully some really kind ones, too. We shared the pool, the jacuzzi, the laundry room—pretty much everything.
At the end of the day, though, we had a roof over our heads, food on the table, and that’s what mattered most.
Living in apartments is incredibly common here in Los Angeles and especially throughout the San Fernando Valley. Today, I’m back living in an apartment again with my fiancé, Brandon. We’ve been together for eleven years, and we moved into our first apartment together in the middle of 2025. Our first place wasn’t the greatest fit, so we recently moved into another community nearby in Woodland Hills, and honestly, it’s been a much better experience. It’s quieter, the patio is nicer, and we finally feel settled.
Would I choose apartment living forever? Probably not. But having our own place is worth it. The independence and peace of mind have made a huge difference.
Before all of that, my parents got back together around 2011 and moved back into my dad’s townhouse in Granada Hills. I lived there until early 2015, when I officially moved into my Nana and Bope’s house in Porter Ranch to help care for them as they got older.
Looking back, moving there was one of the biggest blessings in my life.
Even before I officially lived there, I was already spending every Wednesday and every other weekend at their house. It already felt like home, so the transition wasn’t a huge adjustment.
Their house was a two-story, four-bedroom home with two living rooms, a beautiful kitchen, and a backyard that became my favorite place to relax. I loved sitting on the swing, enjoying the fresh air, and simply having space to myself. Some of my best memories happened in that backyard, and I’ll definitely write another blog dedicated to that house someday.
Living there from 2015 through 2023 gave me some of the happiest memories of my life, but also some of the hardest. I watched my grandparents’ health decline, helped care for them, and eventually experienced the loss of both of them. During that time I also met Brandon, graduated college, started figuring out my career, and watched life change in so many ways.
After my Nana passed away in 2021, my Bope moved into a nursing home because of his health. For nearly two years I lived in the house by myself while taking care of Bailey, my dog of eighteen years, along with the other pets. That’s also when Jessi joined our family, and Patches started visiting us regularly.
Meanwhile, my grandparents’ house in West Hills was another place filled with memories. Their one-story home had three bedrooms, a large backyard, and a swimming pool where our family spent countless weekends together. We celebrated birthdays, holidays, and simple family get-togethers there.
Both of my grandparents’ homes were built in the early 1960s, and both families were the original owners. That makes those houses even more special to me.
After my grandpa passed away in 2017, my grandma eventually sold the West Hills house and moved to a retirement community in Camarillo. I still miss that house and everything it represented.
Eventually, after my Nana and Bope passed away, my parents moved into their house, and my dad sold the Granada Hills townhouse. Around that same time, Brandon and I temporarily lived with his mom in West Hills while we saved money before getting our own apartment.
It wasn’t always easy, but it helped us prepare for the next chapter of our lives.
So after experiencing apartments, a townhouse, and several different houses throughout the Valley, what have I learned?
For me, living in a house has always been more comfortable. You have more privacy, more room to breathe, and more freedom. I miss being able to walk into the backyard whenever I wanted, swing outside, work on my laptop in different rooms, relax in the spa, or simply enjoy the quiet.
Apartment living has improved a lot for us, especially in our current place. It’s quieter, the amenities are nice, and we’re grateful for everything we have. But there’s still something about having your own yard and your own space that apartments just can’t replace.
At this stage in life, Brandon and I are building our future together. We could have stayed with family longer, but it was time for us to create a place of our own.
Maybe one day that place will be a house again.
For now, we’re grateful for what we have.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that home isn’t just about the building you live in. It’s about the memories you make there. Apartments can absolutely be home, and so can houses. Every chapter has shaped who I am today.
Still… if you ask me where my heart is, it’ll probably always be in those old Valley houses where I grew up.
Those places will always feel like home.
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