Housing in Sun Valley spans a range of styles, from mid-century single-family homes on residential streets to apartments and condominiums along the busier corridors. The mix skews toward renters, with a substantial share of multi-family housing, reflecting the neighborhood's role as a longstanding entry point for San Fernando Valley residents. Larger industrial parcels and light-manufacturing properties cluster along the main thoroughfares and near the freeways. The Stonehurst district adds an older, historically rooted character anchored by its historic recreation center. The varied stock means buyers and renters can find options from compact apartments to larger single-family homes with yards.

Sun Valley sits within a web of distinctive Valley communities. To the northeast, Shadow Hills offers a semi-rural, equestrian character with larger lots, while Burbank to the southeast anchors employment, entertainment, and its own airport. North Hollywood and Valley Glen to the south provide arts, dining, and transit access, and Panorama City to the west brings dense commercial corridors. Within Sun Valley, the Stonehurst area stands out for its older character and historic recreation center. This positioning gives Sun Valley residents easy reach of several distinct neighborhood centers while remaining part of the city of Los Angeles.

Sun Valley has a family-oriented, largely Latino character reflected in its local markets, taquerias, and community events. The neighborhood's recreation centers and schools serve as gathering points, and its younger population keeps streets and parks active. Dining and shopping concentrate along San Fernando Road, Lankershim Boulevard, and other commercial corridors, while nearby Burbank and North Hollywood's arts district add entertainment and retail options within a short drive. The mix of residential blocks and busy commercial thoroughfares gives the neighborhood an energetic, working San Fernando Valley feel.

Sun Valley is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District, with thirteen public schools located in the neighborhood, including John H. Francis Polytechnic High School. A mix of charter and independent schools also operates in the area, and elementary and middle school campuses are spread across the community so many students can attend close to home. For families seeking specialized or magnet programs, additional options exist elsewhere within the large LAUSD system. The density of neighborhood schools, combined with the area's recreation centers, makes Sun Valley a practical choice for households with school-age children.

Sun Valley sits at the crossroads of Interstate 5 and State Routes 170 and 210, offering direct freeway routes across the San Fernando Valley, into Burbank and Glendale, and south toward downtown Los Angeles. A Metrolink station provides regional commuter rail service, and Hollywood Burbank Airport lies just to the southeast for regional and short-haul flights. Within the neighborhood, main arterials such as San Fernando Road and Lankershim Boulevard carry local traffic, and the area remains primarily car-oriented, with the freeways putting much of the greater Los Angeles region within a manageable drive.

Sun Valley Recreation Center and the historic Stonehurst Recreation Center anchor local outdoor life, offering sports fields, gyms, picnic areas, and playgrounds, with additional small parks spread across the community. Just to the northwest, the Hansen Dam Recreation Area provides a large regional park with a lake, swimming, equestrian trails, and open space. The Verdugo Mountains rise to the east and the Angeles National Forest to the north, putting hiking, mountain biking, and trail recreation within easy reach. For families, the neighborhood's recreation centers host youth programs, sports leagues, and community events throughout the year.