Moving to TO (Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark: real estate, apartment complexes, rental)

[Trholch]

Hi,

We are considering moving to Thousand Oaks from Rhode Island. I know nothing about the area (other than it is expensive) and I was hoping someone could give an overview. Any info on schools, neighborhoods would be helpful. We have 2 kiddos - one is elementary aged. I am most concerned about my daughter adjusting to a new school as she can be anxious at first with change. She attends a small charter school here in RI. I have heard the public schools are very good in TO - but are there any other options that might be smaller (private or charter schools) that anyone can reccommend?

Thanks - feeling a bit overwhelmed!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/calif...=thousand+oaks

http://www.city-data.com/forum/los-a...=thousand+oaks

There are a few threads open about Thousand Oaks. You can get some info by copy and pasting the links above.^^

1000 Oaks has one of the top qualities of life in the world. The schools are excellent and the streets and very clean and very safe. Rhode Island has nice parts, but the pace of life is fast. Thousand Oaks is a much more relaxing and has a laid-back appeal. It also has some of the most beautiful scenery; situated in the Conejo Valley, it is between the picturesque "heaven" of Moorpark and the world-famous beaches of Malibu.

I have never met anyone that doesn't like Thousand Oaks unless they are A. single, B. young, or C. a crazy bohemian.


The people are very courteous, educated, and aware of who their neighbors are. The community ties are strong unlike most of SoCal. There is an excellent shopping mall The Oaks and shopping the Westlake Village. There is NO gang presence and graffiti is very RARE. You're choice is one of the top cities in Southern California-and one which very few can dispute.

[dusesean1986]

I'll tell you one thing our summers are alot more comfortable. If you have to commute into Los Angeles along the 101 freeway, don't even think about moving to Thousand Oaks.

[Trholch]

Thanks for the information - puts me at ease! (at least until we see real estate prices) I actually grew up in N. Cal in Mill Valley but never really went down south, so I really don't know anything about that area. Any places in Thousand Oaks that we should steer clear of? The weather (all seasons except for Fall) out here in RI are really quite unpleasant, so I would certainly welcome the sunshine. From how TO is described, it sounds to be family friendly and perhaps just friendlier in general. Although we have been lucky in terms of the people we have surrounded ourselves with, I wouldn't characterize RI as a very friendly place.

My husband wouldn't have to commute out of TO for work, so we'd like to stay as close to that area as possible. Any other thoughts on neighboring communities that might work?

Thanks!

[Roma]

All the areas around Thousand Oaks are nice. Here are just some choices you could look into. All these cities have great schools.

Thousand Oaks
Westake Village
Agoura
Oak Park

[SoCalMomma]

I have lived in Thousand Oaks for about 30 years. My husband and I are now raising our kids here (both teenagers). I love Thousand Oaks and couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

If you tell me how much you plan on spending on a house, I will tell you the areas to start looking at (for best schools, best locations, etc). There ARE a couple areas that I would not recommend, but for the most part Thousand Oaks is a great, safe, place to live.

Newbury Park and Westlake Village are also great areas, that actually seem like part of Thousand Oaks, actually border it (one big valley - Conejo Valley). Oak Park, Agoura Hills are also very nice, too, but they are part of Los Angeles County, actually parts of Westlake Village is in L.A, too. Not that its BAD to be in LA County, just not as desirable as Ventura County.

If you look at the Greatschools.net website you'll see the highest scoring schools, which in my opinion, are NOT the best schools. They are great schools, but they are also the most crowded schools, and schools that teach 'to the test'. So dont base your choice simply on that.

Every family looks for something different, which is why there are so many different opinions on cities/schools/housing. Right now the market is leveling off and you could find a nice home, in a nice area, in a good school neighborhood for about $650k. Of course, this is not a brand new house, probably not upgraded much, but it would be a nice house. For $800k or so you will move up to the more updated/newer homes. For the custom homes, large lots, very upscape areas - your looking at probably $2million or so. That should give you an idea

If you have any specific questions, Id be happy to help!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by Trholch

Any places in Thousand Oaks that we should steer clear of?

Thanks!

To my knowledge, there are no horrible neighborhoods in T.O.

[puffle]

Check out www.homefair.com for info about schools, the demographics, percentage of college bound kids and more details than greatschools. Thousand Oaks is very family friendly and tends to be less expensive than Westlake Village with areas in the hills that are quite nice and has a great recreation center for all ages. Markets, movies, parks, trails, shopping and a safe environment make T.O. a very nice place to raise a family! If you need a realtor let me know, I know two really good ones that helped us.

[OH2CA]

Originally Posted by newportbeachsmostwanted

http://www.city-data.com/forum/calif...=thousand+oaks

I have never met anyone that doesn't like Thousand Oaks unless they are A. single, B. young, or C. a crazy bohemian.

Ok, so I'm single, and young (at heart at least) .. and somewhat into art films/coffee houses etc (not sure that makes me bohemian).

I might move to TO to take a job at Cal Lutheran. Ideally I would love to live in a ethnically mixed neighborhood.

I'm not into the bar scene, but I am wondering where to meet people if the setup is mostly family houses and strip malls.

From what I have seen/read TO may not be the best place for me to live, any suggestions for alternatives which are not too far away. Or if I am mistaken, by all means correct my impressions of TO.

And not too expensive!!

I am looking to rent a 2-bedroom apt initially, someone said to expect to pay at least around $2000/month .. is it really that expensive?

Thanks!

[GlenB]

Well...i'll tell you ....i just rented an apartment there today (i move in March 8th)...i'm moving from Ft. Lauderdale Florida.. I got a one bedroom for $1640/month...2 bedrooms in the nicer apartment complexes are 1800-2200...if you go to the Knolls and Westlake Canyon...they have alot of vacancies for 2 bedrooms and are giving some good specials...like a month free rent and 100 bucks off of the rental price. But seems very worth it...seems like a great place to live ...i can't wait to get there!!