Chatsworth Lake Manor (Redlands, Mentone: 2015, insurance, buying a house)

[djsmps]

I lived in Chatsworth for a while ten years ago and discovered this area called Chatsworth Lake Manor. It's to the west of Topanga Cyn Blvd. It was like a beautiful small town, but right next to the big city. I am retiring and thinking of buying a house there. Are there any negatives about Chatsworth Lake Manor that I should be aware of. I know they had a fire nearby a few years ago.

Thanks.

[nightlysparrow]

I love the area, my relative lived there a few years ago, and you probably know the positives, but you asked for the negatives:

There have been a number of close-call fires in the last few years, the closest being in 2003, when many people evacuated. Due to Lake Manor's proximity to the pass between the SF Valley and Simi, with weedy Box Canyon on one side and ever-windy Porter Ranch on the other, it remains a serious fire risk. And when the rains come, it's a landslide risk.

Being unincorporated, you must be OK with having a septic tank (no sewer system) , a propane tank (no natural gas available), County Sheriff instead of police, streets/roads that are filled with bumps and potholes, no place to park for guests, no gas station or real stores. Also the pluses-and-minuses of few building codes--there are mini McMansions next to many ramshackle buildings and many inoperable vehicles scattered about. However, it's nevertheless very difficult to get a permit to build anything--the geologicals never pass muster--so be prepared to buy whatever is already built.

The people mix is weird. Still some semi-outlaw biker types around.

Except for the small flat area, it's not walkable, as the hills are too steep, unless you're really athletic.

Also, the "lake" (the Chatsworth Reservoir) has dried up, at least for now:DWP announces potential fixes for diminishing Chatsworth Ecology Pond

[Cream1]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

I love the area, my relative lived there a few years ago,and you probably know the positives, but you asked for the negatives:

There have been a number of close-call fires in the last few years, the closest being in 2003, when many people evacuated. Due to Lake Manor's proximity to the pass between the SF Valley and Simi, with weedy Box Canyon on one side and ever-windy Porter Ranch on the other, it remains a serious fire risk. And when the rains come, it's a landslide risk.

Being unincorporated, you must be OK with having a septic tank (no sewer system) , a propane tank (no natural gas available), County Sheriff instead of police, streets/roads that are filled with bumps and potholes, no place to park for guests, no gas station or real stores. Also the pluses-and-minuses of few building codes--there are mini McMansions next to many ramshackle buildings and many inoperable vehicles scattered about. However, it's nevertheless very difficult to get a permit to build anything--the geologicals never pass muster--so be prepared to buy whatever is already built.

The people mix is weird. Still some semi-outlaw biker types around.

Also, the "lake" (the Chatsworth Reservoir) has dried up, at least for now:DWP announces potential fixes for diminishing Chatsworth Ecology Pond

How can there be so many McMansions if nothing new is being built?

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by Howiester

How can there be so many McMansions if nothing new is being built?

They were built as extensive "renovations" to existing houses. And they used every inch of the lots---no codes determining boundaries between buildings.

[djsmps]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

I love the area, my relative lived there a few years ago, and you probably know the positives, but you asked for the negatives:

Thanks for the reply. I lived on a farm on the side of a mountain in New Hampshire for a while. It had a septic tank and used propane, so I have had some experience with it. I get along with everybody, and used to hang some with bikers when I was young. (I've never been a biker though).

[nightlysparrow]

Thought of a few more things. People are allowed to have livestock and poultry, so one can hear roosters waking you up, llamas and a few sheep braying, and cows mooing, plus horses.

Also the roads are very twisty, many dead-end abruptly and are one lane, so having to back up your car for a block (literally) to let someone go by is not unusual, so suggest a maneuverable car with a small turning radius. Also tire blocks are good to own, as it's easy for cars to roll off cliffs.

One more thing, be prepared to pay top dollar for fire insurance.

[JohnG72]

Never been there and only heard of it once before as an area where lots of outlaw motorcycle gang members resided. I did a search on google street of the area, and most def not my cup of tea. Very odd streets.

FWIW OP, not knowing other factors that are driving you to that location, I'm far more enamored with Topanga Canyon, though prices may be prohibitive, some parts of Sunland-Tujunga, and if you have no particular attachement to SFV, you may want to consider Mentone in the IE. Do a google street search on hwy 38 in mentone. Its quite a bit less expensive to buy in than Chatsworth.

Redlands next door has all the basics, and IMO due to the college, Indian casinos near by and also due to Glen Helen, you have much better entertainment options than from west SFV which is a cultural wasteland. And then you also have fishing, hiking, and boating close by in the mountains, and winter sports as well. Comparable shopping and nightlife is available at Victoria Gardens, probably a 30 minute drive from Mentone...maybe closer.

[nightlysparrow]

You may also want to look at nearby Box Canyon and especially the Santa Susana Knolls area, which is really nice and has an added advantage of being in the next county.

[XFlowersX]

I love Lake Manor. It's like a mini Topanga imo. I don't think the Hells Angels actually live there but I've seen them regularly go up Plummer through the mountains. Really sad about the reservoir. You are at risk for fires but great area.