Simi to Pasadena Commute (Thousand Oaks, Moorpark: new home, safe neighborhoods, construction)

[Stormcrow73]

We've been thinking of relocating for work from MD to the LA area. Simi has come very highly recommended to us and our research backs that up so if we do move that's basically a given we'd look there first. My biggest question is what the commute would be like from Simi to eastern Pasadena. Does anyone have any experience with that drive? I currently make an almost 1.5 hour one way commute.

[Perdu]

You'll be taking the 118 from Simi to the 210 to Pasadena. Fortuitous. The 118 is the only major L.A. freeway that still "works," meaning it clears up pretty soon after it clogs, as opposed to standstill congestion for hours, barring a big rig jackknifing blocking the way or a fire season conflagration. The 210 is still "workable" as well. This could not be said for virtually every other L.A. basin freeway.

[CAtoCO]

I have lived in Simi all my life..... I dont think the commute would be that terrible. Maybe about 45 minutes on average. I agree that its one of the only freeways that works!! You will hit some traffic going up the hill into Chatsworth on the 118, but like the previous poster stated, it clears up quickly for the most part. Where are you looking in Simi? There are good/ok/yuck areas here!! The area has grown a ton in the last 10 years. We are on our way out(cost of living is high) and I am a stay at home mom, so its hard on one income. But, overall its been a nice, safe, quiet place to live. It's within driving distance of most anything you would want!

[Stormcrow73]

Thanks for the info folks! It makes me feel a good bit better about things. It looks like most of the newish construction in our price range is in western simi near moorpark. We think we really want to stay in the simi USD so we can try to get our oldest in santa susanna HS. Other than that we don't really have a specific area of town to consider. Any pointers?

[CAtoCO]

Stormcrow-

I will give you my honest opinion on the Simi areas..... opinion only tho!!

Every time we have bought property here out criteria has always been North of Alamo St. and East of Erringer St. That will include a LOT of neighborhoods. What's your price range?? I may be of more help if I know that. As far as the West end of town goes.... what new construction are you looking at? House wise I am not aware of much new construction.... maybe Brentwood off of First and Fitzgerald? Again without a price range I am of little help! There is Big Sky at the very end of Erringer St...... nice lil "community".... pricey though. PM me if you want more opinion! Amyswtpooh@aol.com

[CAtoCO]

Sorry I meant to say e mail me!!

Also.... HS.... SSHS is more for Arts type kids.... if this applies to yours, then I would definately look into that. The other two HS here dont offer much in that respect. It's also a "better" rep school, at least it was last I heard!

[dusesean1986]

Originally Posted by CAtoCO

Stormcrow-
I will give you my honest opinion on the Simi areas..... opinion only tho!!
Every time we have bought property here out criteria has always been North of Alamo St. and East of Erringer St. That will include a LOT of neighborhoods. What's your price range?? I may be of more help if I know that. As far as the West end of town goes.... what new construction are you looking at? House wise I am not aware of much new construction.... maybe Brentwood off of First and Fitzgerald? Again without a price range I am of little help! There is Big Sky at the very end of Erringer St...... nice lil "community".... pricey though. PM me if you want more opinion! Amyswtpooh@aol.com

No advertising big dog. Read the Rules and Regulations! Smiley agrees with me, you probably have read the rules and regulations.

[CAtoCO]

Forgive me, I am relatively new to the boards.... but what was I advertising??????? Mentioning new home developments?? I also mentioned for the person to email me if they wanted some more assistance. I dont have any interest in the housing developments I mentioned. I am a stay at home mother...simply trying to help someone looking in the area. Again..... not sure what you are talking about....please elaborate.

[Stormcrow73]

Yeah, I seriously fail to see any advertising in that, big dog.... I've seen very serious cases of advertising on the this board in other areas with realtors posting their contact info and all that. This does not fit that bill.

[PasadenaGuy]

I lived in Thousand Oaks for most of the 1980's and really loved it. West Ventura County (Simi, T.O., Moorpark) communities saw lots of new housing tracts in the late 80's. The more recent growth has filled-in more open space and started to gentrify the area, but there are still open hillsides around. These areas generally are very good for raising families. In return for having good schools and safe neighborhoods, you won't get a lot of diversity or cultural options. The climate is very pleasant - some coastal influence, some valley heat. I would not underestimate the commute time to Pasadena however. I agree the 118 and 210 are fairly "open" freeways, but you will have a lot of miles to cover and any traffic problems will really impact your experience. You might find more information on commute times at sigalert.com (not sure the exact URL). That site shows real-time traffic speeds on all LA freeways. Good luck