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AOL gossip site TMZ.com puts on its trendspotting glasses and declares the Bronson Canyon area the Hottest Neighborhood For Celebrities Who Can't Afford To Live Above The Sunset Strip:

This new home for young Hollywood is relatively affordable, funky and up to now, a closely-guarded secret. The East Hollywood nabe is called Bronson Canyon and The Oaks, directly under the famous Hollywood sign. The Oaks is a bit more upscale than Bronson, but both are rustic and downright down-home.


The influx of young celebs began in earnest two years ago, when the entire cast of the the WB's 'Gilmore Girls' bought homes in the area. Lauren Graham and Melissa McCarthy each paid approximately $1.5 million for theirs. Co-star Alexis Bledel stole hers for $1 mil.

The 'Gilmore' cast was followed by castmates from 'The O.C.' Rachael Bilson and Adam Brody each paid $1.75 million. Show creator Josh Schwartz topped his cast by paying $2 mil.

"This area is drastically different from the high-end neighborhoods where stars traditionally have lived," says celebrity realtor Jeff Yarbrough of Sotheby's International Realty. "Everyone in the neighborhood is incredibly friendly to stars, and the paparazzi are nowhere in sight," Yarbrough says.

We're not sure if being the fallback destination for stars who can't yet financially swing eight-figure compounds a little further west really makes a neighborhood "hot," but we are kind of in love with the idea that a secret enclave where television stars cavort in peace exists nestled underneath the Hollywood sign. In fact, we encourage everyone to drive north on Bronson, honking their horns with increasing frequency as they near the Hills; eventually, the casts of their favorite teen-friendly shows will ride their unicorns onto their front lawns to find out what all the commotion is about, then invite everyone back to their nightly community barbecue.