Help! San Luis Obispo vs Thousand Oaks (Los Angeles: city hall, low crime)

[LocalGirl1234]

Assuming we get similar, decent paying jobs in each city, how would you compare these two cities? Pros? Cons? We are a married couple looking to start a family.

Your input is appreciated!

[nightlysparrow]

Thousand Oaks is in commuting range of Los Angeles in case a job doesn't work out, or if you want access to an international airport, or to world-class medical care. Being in proximity to the largest US city and its employment and cultural options, and yet enjoying extremely low crime, schools that have high academic standards, beautiful scenery and hiking trails, yet only 12 miles from the beach cannot be overstated.

Thousand Oaks has no billboards, and utilities are mostly built underground. It is in a valley surrounded by hills that are mandated to remain open space, and by a ring of regional parks. It has extremely low crime and great police response. It has access to 3 freeways, yet is quiet and fairly relaxed. Architecture is bland pseudo-Spanish suburban, but most houses are well kept. Houses tend to be large, family style. Most have been built since the 70’s. Not much racial diversity.

Thousand Oaks has a great residents-only library (not a county library). It's huge, light and modern; the children’s section is awesome. T.O. has multiple shopping centers with nearly all chain stores represented, including luxury brands. It has a farmer’s market (there is a large agricultural presence in the County outside T.O.). It has a beautiful city hall, performing arts center, teen center, senior center, as well as the usual restaurants, a major hospital, DMV, police force, 4-year university, Social Security office, medical clinics, banks, auto dealers, post offices, movie theaters.

S.L.O. has some of these features, but is much more isolated and remote in terms of location. It is accessed by one freeway only (which has its good and bad points). It is distant from any metropolitan areas (which has its good…) It has a small regional airport. It has colder weather, cooler summers. It is not too far to the ocean.

S.L.O. is considered Central CA, rather than Southern CA in its identity. Architecture is more interesting, including a lot of Victorians. It is more agriculturally oriented, and the Cal State University is known for excellence in that field. Much slower-paced relative to T.O. and more of a small town feel. People are friendly, and it is more walkable. It is one of the old California mission towns, so it has ‘history.’