Nick Lachey Buys in Encino -- the Burbs!

Wouldn't you think a cool guy like Nick Lachey would try for a more "in-town" location than Encino to set up housekeeping with one-time MTV VJ Vanessa Minnelli (both pictured left)? Encino is one of the San Fernando Valley's better ZIP codes, but is still a ways off track for those who want to be closer to the action.

That said, you get way more real estate bang for the buck in the Valley and it is close to the studios -- which may explain why Lachey spent $2.85 million on this house, closing escrow a few weeks ago.