1000 Oaks vs. Simi Valley (community, about)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LeavinMI

Primarily schools. I can't tell by looking at neighborhoods if the schools are good, but I am hearing that Simi schools are pretty good?

Here's a really good starting point:

California School Performance Maps

[eastidahomom]

Wow, I grew up in Simi Valley and visited again about 7 years ago. It is a lovely little city. Although I don't remember Thousand Oaks real well, it is too but I was a little caught off guard to see the comments about Simi. Maybe it's just that I live in Idaho now where housing is so much cheaper, but the home we had in Simi, last I heard some 12 years ago, was selling for 500,000. Is that really middle class in Simi now?

[Humanoid]

I greatly prefer Thousand Oaks over Simi Valley. I partially grew up in Simi Valley and despite the safe image, there is actually a lot of drug problems in the city. I remember talking with the druggies (many of which were homeless) that use to hang out where the Regal Cinema was built (use to be a field with big trees). They weren't violent and they keep to themselves pretty well, but they are around. Things haven't changed much. Simi Valley is more "working class" too, but that can be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view.

Regardless, I've been watching the real estate market in the area for my Mom since early 2007. The prices have declined around 25% since the peak of the housing bubble. For whatever reason, the prices in thousand oaks have been more sticky but seem to be coming down more recently. TO has always been more, but I think the difference appears greater now than it has been in the past. Regardless, the prices in the area have another 20~30% to go before they are back to more traditional pricing for the area.

[puffle]

I have lived in Oak Park and Westlake Village and to me the biggest difference is Thousand Oaks has better schools and is safer, cooler in temperature, more upscale shops and restaurants as well as live theater and movies and easier to go to L.A. or up north than Simi Valley. The only part of Simi that I would consider would be Wood Ranch which borders Thousand Oaks. It is it's own city in a way with it's own market and stores within it's gates, which are not closed by the way. There is all manner of housing there as well and a golf course.

[Humanoid]

Originally Posted by puffle

It is it's own city in a way with it's own market and stores within it's gates, which are not closed by the way.

It is separate in a way from the rest of Simi Valley. There is a grocery store (Ralphs) and a few stores but other than that there there is nothing else. To get anything done you need to go into Simi Valley proper or Thousand Oaks. But in many cases stores are actually closer in TO than Simi Valley.

Wood Ranch has its own elementary school which is on par with the ones in Thousand Oaks. But middle/high school are in Simi Valley proper.

[eastidahomom]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

It is separate in a way from the rest of Simi Valley. There is a grocery store (Ralphs) and a few stores but other than that there there is nothing else. To get anything done you need to go into Simi Valley proper or Thousand Oaks. But in many cases stores are actually closer in TO than Simi Valley.

Wood Ranch has its own elementary school which is on par with the ones in Thousand Oaks. But middle/high school are in Simi Valley proper.

Ralphs is STILL THERE? Corner Sycamore and Los Angeles Avenue?

[puffle]

I forgot about Sunset Hills. Is that considered T.O. or Simi?

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by puffle

I forgot about Sunset Hills. Is that considered T.O. or Simi?

I believe that is TO.

[puffle]

Are you following me laysayfair?

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by puffle

Are you following me laysayfair?

Why no...where are we going next!