Santa Clarita or Thousand Oaks?????

[pears]

I absolutely would have you only consider Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks is a much nicer community and does not have the ghetto areas like Santa Clarita has. Thousand Oaks you can feel safe anywhere, but in Santa Clarita you have to avoid some parts of town, such as Newhall, Castaic, etc. The SC mall gets many undesirables which make it uncomfortable to shop in. The demographic in SCV very different. The SCV is becoming more hispanic, and many more african-americans are moving in, which is not bad, but just makes it more multi-cultural. In terms of safety choose Thousand Oaks. SC is known for fudging on its crime rates and school ratings anyways.

[UserX]

You'll get much more house for your money in SCV, but it's hotter. Great schools, low crime, more than 75% of SCV is white, not sure where the poster above is getting their info. City of Santa Clarita : Population

I also don't think there are any parts of SCV to avoid, it's very safe, even in the less desirable neighborhoods. I love living here.

[UserX]

PS, I just moved here from TX a year ago myself. The SCV reminded me more of TX, than anywhere else in LA County. Mostly in terms of shopping and demographics.

[pears]

Originally Posted by UserX

You'll get much more house for your money in SCV, but it's hotter. Great schools, low crime, more than 75% of SCV is white, not sure where the poster above is getting their info. City of Santa Clarita : Population

I also don't think there are any parts of SCV to avoid, it's very safe, even in the less desirable neighborhoods. I love living here.

Get your facts straight buddy before you start saying other people are wrong.

The non-hispanic white population in the SCV is 56%. Santa Clarita (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

The non-hispanic white population is TO is 70%
Thousand Oaks (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

I am glad that there are people that enjoy living in the SCV, but most people I talk to do not.

Santa Clarita has Newhall and other undesirable sections of town that remind me of Oakcliff, TX.

You will be much happier in Thousand Oaks, especially if you are coming from TX. These other pro-SCV people are probably realtors, not real people. The weather alone would have me choose Thousand Oaks over SC, but there are many other things as well.

Stick with Thousand Oaks.

[Ahughes03]

Having lived in both (grew up in Newbury Park, a small town right next to Thousand Oaks, and after living in San Diego and Los Angeles for a number of years, moved up to Santa Clarita to start my family), I'd recommend both!

I know that doesn't help, but they are extremely similar. Drive time to Burbank from SCV is 30ish, but it's only 45 from the Thousand Oaks area. Both areas get hot (dry heat) during the summer, but I would have to say that SCV has more hot days than Thousand Oaks. Both communities have excellent schools, but I might give the nod to Santa Clarita, based on many of their schools just being newer than the TO area. The person who said that TO never has traffic hasn't tried to drive down Moorpark Blvd at the end of a work day! I'd say that traffic is pretty similar on the main streets around town, but TO has the nod when it comes to the freeways, as the 5 handles a lot more travel traffic (big rigs, vacationers ,etc).

In terms of proximity to things, SCV is slightly closer to Westside LA (Santa Monica, the Getty, etc) and some of the country's prettiest national parks (Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite). TO is definitely closer to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Both are about 45 minutes from beaches (TO is closer to north LA county beaches like Zuma, Leo Carrillo, Malibu, etc., while SCV is closer to Ventura county beaches).

All this being said, if you end up in Santa Clarita, I'd strongly encourage looking at the North end of Valencia. Newer community, new shopping, new schools, etc. If you end up in Thousand Oaks, take a look at Newbury Park. Some of the best schools around (blue ribbons, distinguished, etc), instant access to the Santa Monica mountains for weekend hikes/bike rides), and only 5-10 minutes from Thousand Oaks.

Good luck!

[knowitall99]

Yuck to both but Thousand Oaks is nicer. Santa Clarita has more meth heads running around.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by MovingNow1969

Is the Thousand Oaks to Burbank commute doable???? I have had a few people tell me it isn't?? If it is that may make things easier

No the commute Thousand Oaks to/from Burbank would be hell. (At least you could take a train from SC to BUR.)

I'd choose Thousand Oaks since no commute assuming both jobs have identical career growth prospects and opportunities for Plan B jobs should you lose yours.

Santa Clarita will be hotter in summer and colder in winter. Probably need AC for several months. You only need AC in TO for a couple weeks.

[Marv101]

They're both great communities that are very safe with top-notch schools, but the commute from TO to Burbank would be excruciating, and especially during rainy season.

To minimize time spent commuting, check out La Canada-Flintridge, a mere 12-15 minutes east of NBC Studios.

[caLa310]

Originally Posted by Marv101

They're both great communities that are very safe with top-notch schools, but the commute from TO to Burbank would be excruciating, and especially during rainy season.

To minimize time spent commuting, check out La Canada-Flintridge, a mere 12-15 minutes east of NBC Studios.

This idea that the schools are "top notch" is a joke. Not in SCV. It used to be that way but not anymore.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Marv101

They're both great communities that are very safe with top-notch schools, but the commute from TO to Burbank would be excruciating, and especially during rainy season.

To minimize time spent commuting, check out La Canada-Flintridge, a mere 12-15 minutes east of NBC Studios.

Why not just choose Burbank itself which is very safe and has great schools on a par with those other communities?

Burbank's more expensive than Santa Clarita but it isn't more expensive than La Canada-Flintridge and Thousand Oaks.