Reason #1 why I love Chatsworth, CA: The land of no traffic and open freeways

Okay, that may be an overstatement...and it certainly isn't a warm and fuzzy Reason #1 for loving Chatsworth, but just about every day I'm driving all over the San Fernando Valley and I literally say to myself outloud in my car, "I love the 118 freeway!"

For those of you who don't live in the Valley or the Los Angeles area or a similar metropolitan jungle or its suburb, you might not know what bad traffic is like and my euphoric outburst may seem extreme. Forget about the mocassins, don't judge me until you've driven a mile on the 101 in rush hour. Gridlock traffic drove Michael Douglas crazy in one of his movies (I don't recall whether it was LA traffic, but the bumper to bumper visual is the same). You're just sitting in your car, watching the clock tick forward and the gas gauge tick downward.

I lived for 15 years in Sherman Oaks, near the intersection of the 405 and 101 freeways. I loved Sherman Oaks, my home, and my neighbors, but this particular freeway intersection should have been awarded the dubious distinction of the "most congested intersection in the world"--I swear I heard this once, and if it isn't true the intersection would have been a close runner up.

In contrast, the 118 is typically smooth sailing. The 118 runs along the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley, westwards to Chatsworth, Simi Valley, and connecting with the 23 South in Moorpark; it runs eastwards through Northridge, Granada Hills, and ultimately to the 210 freeway, connecting with the 405 and I5 along the way.

Here is a recent mid-day traffic snapshot showing the San Fernando Valley traffic patterns--love that green along the 118!

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a home, and lifestyle is one of them. Your lifestyle includes your daily commute and traffic tolerance. It also includes neighborhood information, shopping, parks and recreation, and a host of other issues. My website www.HarleyRamsey.com offers neighborhood and community reports, and I would be happy to talk with you about San Fernando Valley living and homes for sale.

If you (or somebody you know) are looking for a real estate agent who will make the process of buying or selling a home feel like an easy drive with green lights all the way, email me at Harley@KW.com.