Moving to Simi Valley? (San Diego, Thousand Oaks: real estate, renting, low crime)

[leavingSanDiego]

All,

We currently live in San Diego, but will be moving to LA area soon for better job.

We are considering Simi Valley. Does anyone have some comments or ideas about the Simi Valley area? We have a 4 year old.

We are very familiar with the ridiculous prices of California real estate. We are interested in new construction, or relatively newer homes. Our San Diego place is an older home and falling apart. I'm sick of fixing stuff.

This is a great forum - thanks to anyone who responds - I appreciate it.

[puffle]

First, where will you or your husband be working? Second, will you be buying or renting? Third, why Simi? What do you like to do in your spare time with the family, like on weekends? What do you want to be close to and what is important to you in a town other than affordable? Simi can be out of the way to go to other places in your free time, it is pretty safe for a city it's size, it has had a lot of building going on and still does, the schools are ok, there is shopping and many chain restaurants, parks, ect. Not particularly attractive, to me, but it is less expensive than it's more attractive neighbors like Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. Also very hot in the summer. I would chose Newbury Park or T.O. for closer proximity to the beach and the 101 frwy plus it is much cooler in the summer.

[ferretkona]

I have worked in Simi a few times, very pretty. My only complaint is that it has always been a bear to drive out of there. It is only about 50 miles away, but it takes me 2 hours plus to get home in the afternoon. If you could find work in Simi and live there it would be a nice place to live.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Great place to retire..

[Winston Smith]

If you're working within 20-30 miles of Simi and commuting by car, it might be bearable. Simi for the most part is safe and a good place for families. It has had the on-again off-again problem with gang crime, such as altercations in parks and drive-by shootings, plus white-on-black hate crimes, but to my recollection these are few and far between, though not non-existent, just FYI.

Simi is a bit sleepy and boring, and very hot in summer. The pros include a cross-town bikeway (Arroyo Simi) and nice hiking spots in the east-end. I would second the other posts that getting in and out of town traffic wise can be tough. The good thing is that Simi is well connected by regular train service with Metrolink and Amtrak's Surfliner.

[leavingSanDiego]

Thanks to everyone for replying. Is it the case that the 118 freeway is terribly crowded then? Is the 101 worse? Is there any freeway anywhere in the greater LA area that doesn't suck for traffic? (ha - just curious, you don't have to answer that).

[SoCalMomma]

The traffic on most freeways is usually only bad going one way - so if you live in the opposite direction you'd be ok

I think Simi is nice, for the most part. The outer edges of town are the nicer parts, in my opinion. The center is not as nice. I mean, there are really nice areas all over, but then you could go 2 blocks and be in a not-so-nice area. Not that there are any horrible areas, they just aren't as nice.

I live in Thousand Oaks, border of Newbury Park. Very nice area. Have lived in this area for about 30 years. Raised our kids here (they are teenagers) and feel like its a great place for families. Schools are good, lots of activities for kids, family oriented area. Low crime, low polution, but house prices are higher than Simi.

Good luck

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by leavingSanDiego

Thanks to everyone for replying. Is it the case that the 118 freeway is terribly crowded then? Is the 101 worse? Is there any freeway anywhere in the greater LA area that doesn't suck for traffic? (ha - just curious, you don't have to answer that).

The 101 is too far from Simi to be an alternate to the 118. Both freeways suffer from big traffic most of the time. Can you share with us where you'll be commuting?

[Jeff The Dream Maker]

Recommend you look at Simi Valley, Moor Park, TO, West Lake Village. Find the atmosphere that works best with your family. Safest places to live ar TO and Simi Valley. If you like the outdoors, can not go wrong in either place. Would love to you help you finance your home. If you need a good agent, I can recommend a few real estate agents too. I would rather drive 20 minutes longer to know my family is safe.

best of luck with the move.

[Keithns]

Originally Posted by leavingSanDiego

Thanks to everyone for replying. Is it the case that the 118 freeway is terribly crowded then? Is the 101 worse? Is there any freeway anywhere in the greater LA area that doesn't suck for traffic? (ha - just curious, you don't have to answer that).

Not just the 118, there is also the 405 fwy to consider. Simi Valley is about 50 miles from LAX. If you want to live there, make sure you have air conditioning and plan to work or retire there.