Thousand Oaks is a California city located in the northwestern part of Greater Los Angeles.
It is the second largest city in Ventura County and got its name from the many oak trees in the area.
If you’re considering moving to Thousand Oaks, you should consider the pros and cons of living there so you can make an informed decision before moving.
You may have certain factors in mind that will push you toward moving, and you may have deal breakers that will make you not want to move there.
You can avoid making a big mistake when you understand the upsides and downsides of living in Thousand Oaks.
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Pros of Living in Thousand Oaks, California
There are many great things about living in Thousand Oaks, California, and some of the pros can help you decide that moving there will be great for you and your family.
1. Larger Lots With Gorgeous Views
If you want a home on a large lot for outdoor activities and a swimming pool, Thousand Oaks is an excellent place to move.
Most homes in neighboring towns have smaller lots and cookie-cutter homes, which you may not like.
Thousand Oaks has more custom homes that were built on larger lots, giving you the outdoor space you desire.
Thousand Oaks has many hills and open spaces, and many homes have beautiful views, peace, and privacy.
2. The Weather
If you live in a part of the country where the winters are freezing and brutal and you’re sick of the cold, snow, and ice, the weather in Thousands Oaks will be a welcome change.
The same is true if you live in a part of the country that is brutally hot and humid.
The weather in Thousand Oaks is very mild, with average winter temperatures ranging from 54 to 59 degrees.
Summers are also mild, with temperatures ranging from 61 to 70 degrees.
If you enjoy outdoor activities, the weather is perfect for having fun outside all year long.
This may sound strange, but the weather in Thousand Oaks is milder than in neighboring areas like Calabasas and Agoura Hills, and the temperature in Thousand Oaks can be 10 degrees cooler than in Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
It doesn’t rain often in Thousand Oaks, and on average, it rains 34 days each year.
You won’t have to worry about your outdoor plans getting rained out in Thousand Oaks the way you would in many other parts of the country.
If weather is an essential factor when planning a move, you should consider moving to Thousand Oaks.
3. City Conveniences Without the Traffic and Congestion
If you currently live in a large city, you know that you can find everything you want without going far from home.
However, you have to deal with the congestion and traffic that is common in a big city.
You can get everything you need in Thousand Oaks without leaving town.
If you love to shop, The Oaks Mall is a gorgeous indoor and outdoor shopping center with some of the best stores.
Janss Marketplace is an outdoor mall where you can shop, do fun things with the kids, and enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant.
If there is anything you can’t find in Thousand Oaks, you can take a 45-minute ride to Los Angeles, where you can find everything you’re looking for.
4. There Is No Central Downtown Area
This is a pro if you move to Thousand Oaks to live a more peaceful, quiet life, but it can also be a con if you want a lot going on around you.
Many residents don’t want a downtown area because they’re worried that it will bring more traffic and people to the area, affecting their peaceful and quiet existence.
If you enjoy peace and privacy, the fact that there is no downtown Hidden Hills is an excellent place for you to live.
5. It’s a Safe Place to Live
The population of Thousand Oaks has risen over the years, but this hasn’t affected the crime rate.
This is a very safe place to live and is ranked at the number three spot of the safest cities in the United States.
Whether you’re walking, driving, or biking, you can feel safe, which is what everyone wants for their families.
This is a close-knit town and an excellent place to retire or raise a family.
6. Many Celebrities Live in the Town
If you’ve always wanted to meet a celebrity or see one in person, there’s a high chance of a sighting while living in Thousand Oaks.
Some people who call this place home include Will Smith, Britney Spears, Hulk Hogan, Kim Richards, Heather Locklear, Mickey Rooney, and more.
If you’ve always dreamed of living among stars, you won’t find a better place than Thousand Oaks.
7. An Excellent School System
If you’re moving with your family, the school system is an essential factor to consider.
Thousand Oaks has many excellent schools for younger children, such as Lang Ranch Elementary and Bridge Charter School.
Most of the high schools in the town have a rating of 8 out of 10 and have very high graduation rates.
The Conejo Valley Unified School district has had four of its locations receive Distinguished California School awards over the last three years, and three won the National Blue Ribbon from the Office of Education.
Cons of Living in Thousand Oaks, California
While there are many great things about living in Thousand Oaks, there are also downsides to living there that you must consider when deciding if you want to move there.
1. Wildfires
Wildfires are a severe threat to Thousand Oaks residents, mainly because the Santa Monica Mountain range is so close.
The last thing you want is for your home to be destroyed in a wildfire, so you have to decide if this is a chance you want to take.
2. House Prices
You should only consider moving to Thousand Oaks if you are wealthy.
The average cost of a home is a little over $1 million and has jumped substantially over the last two years.
You may be able to find a smaller home for $750,000, but it’s doubtful that you’ll find something cheaper than that.
3. High Taxes
Like many areas in California, Thousand Oaks has very high tax rates.
Income tax is higher than in most parts of the country, and some people must pay 13.30 percent.
Property taxes are also expensive, with a rate of 1.0400 percent, and is much higher than the national average.
Finally, the sales tax is also high in this town, with a rate of 7.25%.
4. Few Senior-Level Jobs Available
There are many entry-level jobs available in Thousand Oaks; however, you won’t make enough in an entry-level position to afford living in Thousand Oaks.
If you’re going to find a senior-level, well-paying job, you must commute to Los Angeles to ensure you can afford a home in Thousand Oaks.
5. HOAs or Lack Thereof
Many communities have HOA’s, which some people don’t like because the HOA can dictate what you can and can’t do with their homes.
If you want to avoid being under the control of an HOA, you may want to look for a home in another area.
Some areas don’t have HOAs, which can also be a bad thing.
If you want to avoid living in a neighborhood where the houses and properties are a mess and RVs are parked on the street, you may want to find a home in an area with an HOA.
6. Santa Ana Winds
The Santa Ana Winds are a weather condition that brings hot, strong, dusty winds to Thousand Oaks and the surrounding areas.
The winds can reach 40 miles per hour, contributing to the wildfire risk.
Schools must rearrange their outdoor sporting events during Santa Ana Winds, and some people’s allergies are exasperated during the winds.
Some people say that the winds significantly affect their mood and state of mind, but there is no evidence that the winds cause these issues.
Pros and Cons of Living in Thousand Oaks, CA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Thousand Oaks, California | Cons of Living in Thousand Oaks, California |
|---|---|
| 1. Larger Lots With Gorgeous Views | 1. Wildfires |
| 2. The Weather | 2. House Prices |
| 3. City Conveniences Without the Traffic and Congestion | 3. High Taxes |
| 4. There Is No Central Downtown Area | 4. Few Senior-Level Jobs Available |
| 5. It's a Safe Place to Live | 5. HOAs or Lack Thereof |
| 6. Many Celebrities Live in the Town | 6. Santa Ana Winds |
| 7. An Excellent School System |
Thousand Oaks Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Thousand Oaks Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Thousand Oaks have public transportation?
Thousand Oaks has transit buses with five routes, but they run once every hour.
There aren’t many stops in the suburban areas, so if you take a bus home, you’ll likely have to walk part of the way home.
Should I worry about earthquakes if I move to Thousand Oaks?
Yes, earthquakes are a threat in Thousand Oaks, thanks to the San Andreas fault line.
According to experts, the fault is long overdue for an earthquake, so you should move to a different state if you can’t handle the threat.
Are there nice restaurants in Thousand Oaks?
You can get good food in Thousand Oaks, but you’ll have to settle with a chain restaurant or a low to mid-level restaurant providing casual dining.
If you love fine dining and 5-star restaurants, you’ll need to leave Thousand Oaks because you won’t find any upscale restaurants there.
Is traffic a problem in Thousand Oaks?
Yes, traffic is, unfortunately, a problem in Thousand Oaks.
The town sits at the junction of 23 and 101 state route freeways.
Route 101 will take you downtown, and 23 connects to the 118 highway, taking you to other nearby communities creating traffic.
If you commute to work, you’ll have to consider the morning and evening traffic when planning your commute.
Are there water restrictions in Thousand Oaks?
Yes.
There are often droughts in this part of California, so the local governments put restrictions on water use.
In Thousand Oaks, you can water your lawn one day a week, odd street addresses can water on Saturday, and even-numbered addresses can water their lawns on Sunday.
Also, you aren’t allowed to water your lawn between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and only low-volume irrigation systems can be used.
Finally, you can’t use the water to fill a pool or spa or to fill ornamental water features.
The water restrictions in the town can be a hassle, and if you want to avoid dealing with them, don’t move to California.
Thousand Oaks seems like a beautiful place to live with its mild weather, safe neighborhoods, and beautiful homes on large lots.