1000 Oaks vs. Simi Valley (Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills: middle-class, rental, house)

[LeavinMI]

We're looking at a possible relocation to a job in Agoura Hills area and have been reading all the threads here (thank you so much for all of the useful information) and seem to have the most interest in Thousand Oaks or Simi Valley. My question though is that there seems to be quite a substantial price difference between the two. Is Simi Valley not very nice? I know that nice is subjective but is it rundown? At risk for property value degredation? Is it on the decline? We got burned with our last home purchase and wound up losing quite a bit in property value when the neighborhood went to the dogs. So we are trying to be very careful about where we move. Thousand Oaks would be doable if we wind up out that way but much more of a stretch than Simi Valley. Simi Valley would give us far more options when house shopping and rental shopping for our first year there.

Can anyone tell me why the price difference in housing in the two areas is so steep? Give me the good the bad and the ugly pretty please!

Thanks so much!

[Roma]

I lived in both but Thousand Oaks is the one I would pick (especially if you're working in Agoura). There is a price difference for a reason.

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by LeavinMI

We're looking at a possible relocation to a job in Agoura Hills area and have been reading all the threads here (thank you so much for all of the useful information) and seem to have the most interest in Thousand Oaks or Simi Valley. My question though is that there seems to be quite a substantial price difference between the two. Is Simi Valley not very nice? I know that nice is subjective but is it rundown? At risk for property value degredation? Is it on the decline? We got burned with our last home purchase and wound up losing quite a bit in property value when the neighborhood went to the dogs. So we are trying to be very careful about where we move. Thousand Oaks would be doable if we wind up out that way but much more of a stretch than Simi Valley. Simi Valley would give us far more options when house shopping and rental shopping for our first year there.

Can anyone tell me why the price difference in housing in the two areas is so steep? Give me the good the bad and the ugly pretty please!

Thanks so much!

Simi Valley is nice and not run-down, but it is less charming then TO. It is more middle-class and the Thousand Oaks area has more upper middle-class. Simi Valley is a little more off the beaten track than TO.
TO has a better school system though I understand Simi's is still good. A lot more entertainment industry types live in the TO area then Simi Valley which gives TO more cache'.
The area of Simi that borders TO is just like TO, only cheaper, and very pretty and nice.
TO also has more mature trees all over that give it a lush, well-tended look. Also Simi is hotter. TO gets cooling ocean breezes because TO is closer to the beach.
7 years ago I had to choose between a great house in Simi with lots of land on a small lake or a great house on a regular lot close to, but not on, a bigger lake. The price was the same and I was tempted to go with the Simi property. I asked a friend her opinion and she said "location, location, location". So I chose the TO house.
There is a lovely area called Lynn Ranch that is on the TO-Simi border.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by laysayfair

There is a lovely area called Lynn Ranch that is on the TO-Simi border.

This post was pretty darn right on. I think the neighborhood mentioned above is Wood Ranch and not Lynn ranch. Wood Ranch is very new, about 15 years old or so, in the extreme southwest section of Simi Valley.

Now, Lynn Ranch is a beautiful neighborhood north of the 101 and west of Lynn road. Technically, Lynn Ranch is not part of the City of Thousand Oaks even though it is surrounded by TO. Little things like street lighting, and other municiple amenities might not be in LR. LR homes are classic ranchers, sort of horse property, big spread out lots with mature trees. A great neighborhood.

There's another neighborhood that has that spread out character in TO. It is located just east and south of the TO library between the library and Erbes. It is along La Granada from Janss down to the 23. Really nice homes on large lots.

We lived in Lang Ranch which is more like Wood Ranch. It is located in the extreme east end of TO east of Westlake and Arbolos. Excellent schools (as are most of Conejo Schools).

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by Charles

This post was pretty darn right on. I think the neighborhood mentioned above is Wood Ranch and not Lynn ranch. Wood Ranch is very new, about 15 years old or so, in the extreme southwest section of Simi Valley.

Now, Lynn Ranch is a beautiful neighborhood north of the 101 and west of Lynn road. Technically, Lynn Ranch is not part of the City of Thousand Oaks even though it is surrounded by TO. Little things like street lighting, and other municiple amenities might not be in LR. LR homes are classic ranchers, sort of horse property, big spread out lots with mature trees. A great neighborhood.

There's another neighborhood that has that spread out character in TO. It is located just east and south of the TO library between the library and Erbes. It is along La Granada from Janss down to the 23. Really nice homes on large lots.

We lived in Lang Ranch which is more like Wood Ranch. It is located in the extreme east end of TO east of Westlake and Arbolos. Excellent schools (as are most of Conejo Schools).

Yes, Charles, you're right. Thanks for correcting me. I meant "Wood Ranch".

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

If you're worried, rent in either place for awhile to see. It's not a race to buy unless it's a good, long-term fit.

[MKW]

I would pick Thousand Oaks. I wouldn't rule out Agoura Hills, either. If you can afford something in Thousand Oaks, you most likely will be able to find something in Agoura you can afford as well. You could also check out Newbury Park- it's a small suburb of TO and the weather is always a little cooler there because it's closer to the ocean. Simi can get seriously hot. Any of these areas would be a quick commute to Agoura.

[sejinro]

Thousand Oaks all the way. Better schools and more affluent than Simi. New mall pretty soon.

[cricket_factor]

Live in Thousand Oaks. Drive to Agoura easily.

[baobob girl]

Wood Ranch is a really nice area but I would pick Thousand Oaks over it. Thousand Oaks has a really good Library that is private so you have to pay for it if you are not living there. It also just seems a little more cozy than Simi plus you won't have to deal with Traffic on the 23. It is a nice area. Good Luck