Thousand Oaks vs. Irvine (Los Angeles, Santa Clarita: public schools, pros and cons, living in)

[sofasaregood]

Hey everyone. I just wanted to ask for everyone's opinion between these two cities, any pros and cons of living in these cities, and any other differences between them for things such as:

-anemities
-shopping centers
-restaurants
-housing
-location
-weather
-public schools
-commuting to other areas
-anything else that comes to mind

I know that these are two completely different areas, but which city would you rather live in if you had to choose between these two? Thank you!

[UB50]

The biggest difference between the two is: Do you want to live North of Los Angeles or South of Los Angeles?

[pacific2]

I have never been to Thousand Oaks, so I can't compare the two cities. This thread will provide you with some, mostly local (Irvine, past and present residents; and South Orange County), views of Irvine.

Some are defenders, but of course, since the thread was setup to give detractors a chance to express their opinions, most posters fall into that camp.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/orang...te-irvine.html

[EclecticEars]

I live in Irvine.

I voted for Thousand Oaks anyway.

[BRinSM]

i am familiar with both. both are upscale cities with great public schools. TO is much closer to LA, but Irvine is more or less the business hub of OC. i would say that irvine is considerably more diverse than TO because of the asian population. TO is heavily white, with a strong showing from the jews and mormons. irvine will have better weather as well because TO is in a valley with a mountain range blocking direct access to the ocean. Due to its proximity to LA, TO is also more liberal from what i've seen. however, both are very safe and master planned.

[Tex?Il?]

Both are extensive, heavily planned, recently built, relatively upscale, sprawling suburban areas part of the greater LA metro area.

Personally I would not live in either of them, as they really have no history.

Both of them however, despite being sterile, master planned suburban communities, nevertheless have quite a bit of land preserved as open space with hiking trail that doesn't feel at all like you're in a metroplis at all, when in the middle of them.

The differences I see, is that Irvine has WAY more commercial and office space, its really a job center, while Thousand Oaks is more residential. Sure it has shopping, but is more of a bedroom community than Irvine. TO, similarly to Santa Clarita/Valencia is more like a suburb of the San Fernando Valley.

Also, despite both having protected natural open space, I think its a little more accessible in TO than in Irvine, in that you never seem far from grassland in TO.

[ccm123]

I would pick Irvine, but TO would be a close second.

[Hypersion]

I've lived in both and liked TO better.