Montrose is a small community in the Crescenta Valley, next door to La Crescenta. Its best-known landmark is the Honolulu Avenue shopping district, a short commercial street that many people think of when they hear the name. Beyond that main street, Montrose is largely residential, and my office is a short drive away on Foothill Boulevard.
The place
Montrose lies on the flatter, lower part of the valley, south of the steeper slopes that rise toward the San Gabriel Mountains. Most of Montrose sits in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County shared with La Crescenta, while the Honolulu Avenue shopping district lies within the City of Glendale. The two names often appear together, which is why the two names often appear together on maps, listings and mail. If you are comparing homes in the valley, you will likely look at both.
Housing
Housing in Montrose is mostly single-family, with a pattern of smaller lots and homes built over many decades. A number of homes in the valley date to the mid-twentieth century, and original features such as hardwood floors, brick fireplaces and detached garages are common finds. For sellers, that means the first conversation is often about condition and presentation: what is original and worth highlighting, and what a buyer's inspector may flag. For buyers, it means looking carefully at the roof, the plumbing and the electrical system, and at whether past improvements were done with permits.
I do not quote prices for Montrose on this website. Home values depend on condition, lot, size and what has sold recently nearby, and I would rather show you real comparable sales than a generic number.
Getting around
Montrose connects to the Foothill Freeway (210) and the Glendale Freeway (2), and Honolulu Avenue and Foothill Boulevard handle local trips. Because the flat streets run close to the commercial district, some blocks have more traffic than others at certain hours. I suggest visiting a home at different times of day so you see the street as it really is.
How I help here
I work with homeowners who have lived in their house for a long time and want to sell in a calm, organized way. I also work with trustees and households handling an estate, and with buyers who want an honest comparison of the valley's communities. Because Montrose and La Crescenta overlap so much in daily life, I often help clients see both before they decide.
Nearby communities
Montrose borders La Crescenta and Verdugo City. Glendale lies to the south and La Canada Flintridge to the east.