Living In Oak Park, California- #1 by Niche.Com
Today, we're diving deep into Oak Park, that unique, independent spirit of the Conejo Valley. You know, the place Niche.com ranked as the absolute BEST place to live in Ventura County? Yeah, that one!
Video on Living in Oak Park, CA
Why Oak Park Stands Alone: The Unincorporated Wonder
Oak Park is the smallest unincorporated community in Ventura County. Just a little over five square miles.
And get this: residents have repeatedly voted against becoming its own city or being annexed by Thousand Oaks.
Surrounded by those gorgeous rolling hills and mountains, it's pretty easy to see why. Plus, with easy access to the 101 and 23 freeways, you're super close to Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Agoura Hills, and even LA, Malibu, and Ventura. Talk about prime location!
Map Location
Oak Park (tiny spot on map to the northeast of Westlake Village) is surrounded by beautiful Rolling Hills and mountains. Its close to highways 101 and 23. It's convenient access to some of the best spots in Southern California including Malibu, Los Angeles, Westlake Village and Ventura.
Many residents will shop in Thousand Oaks, which is right next door and also commute to Los Angeles (varying from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending on time of day and your ultimate destination in L.A.).r
Understanding the Cost of Living in Oak Park
The cost of living here is about 36% higher than the national average, which is pretty similar to Thousand Oaks.
And like most of California, that's mostly due to housing.
The median home value in Oak Park? Around $1.2 million and it's been steadily climbing.
Since there's no real downtown or big economic base, most folks are either working from home, commuting, or enjoying their retirement.
Safety and Security
Of course, like anywhere in SoCal, you've got natural disaster risks like floods, mudslides, earthquakes, wind, drought, and wildfires.
Wildlife Encounters in Oak Park: Living Close to Nature
Living here means living with nature. Oak Park is surrounded by open spaces and national preserves.
Fun fact: it's known as the "snake capital of California." Seriously, the police and fire departments get special training for dealing with venomous snakes.
You'll also see deer, coyotes, and sometimes even mountain lions and black bears. So, keep your eyes peeled!
 Environmental Considerations
Air quality is just slightly above the national average. Some residents have mentioned occasional "stinky" air and "wanky" water. And here's a big one: there's been some concern about potential contamination from a nearby 1950s nuclear testing facility.
The Ventura County Star reported that ash from a fire might have blown into Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village. There are conflicting studies, so definitely do your own research.
We've got a link to our Thousand Oaks pros and cons video in the description, where we talk about this more.
Exploring Oak Park's Neighborhoods: A Resort-Like Feel
Okay, let's get to the neighborhoods! The views here are absolutely magical. Those hills and mountains? Movie-worthy.
And after all that rain, everything's in full bloom! The homes are generally average to above-average track homes, with mountain views and open space.
You'll find at least one park within a mile of every neighborhood. It's super peaceful.
Some neighborhoods were built in the 70s, but most are from the 90s and 2000s, with some even as recent as 2022. Lots of pools, thanks to the great weather.
Most neighborhoods have HOAs, but not all. You'll find apartments and condos in one area, older homes and townhomes in another, and newer homes on the hillsides.
Homes range from $675,000 to over $2 million. You'll see gated communities, manicured lawns, mature trees, and ranch and two-story homes.
Community pools are common, and you'll see lots of people walking and kids playing. Traffic is minimal, except around schools during drop-off and pick-up.
Schools
For more information on Oak Park school statistics, you can check out Great Schools and other online sources.
Crime
For more information on crime, there are statistics at Neighborhood Scout and other online sources.
Would you like to get such a clear picture of your top neighborhoods....that you feel like a local?
- For our VIP clients, we (Bart and Keziah) will take you on an in depth area tour......and can even guide you to some spots that you may not have thought of.
- We routinely talk to homeowners in neighborhoods. That way we can get you the most up to date info on what its actually like to live there.
"Thinking about buying a home in Ventura County? We’re Bart and Keziah, local real estate experts who go way beyond the basics—helping you find hidden gem neighborhoods, track down off-market listings, and negotiate the best deal.
Living In Oak Park, California- #1 by Niche.Com
Today, we're diving deep into Oak Park, that unique, independent spirit of the Conejo Valley. You know, the place Niche.com ranked as the absolute BEST place to live in Ventura County? Yeah, that one!
Video on Living in Oak Park, CA
Why Oak Park Stands Alone: The Unincorporated Wonder
Oak Park is the smallest unincorporated community in Ventura County. Just a little over five square miles.
And get this: residents have repeatedly voted against becoming its own city or being annexed by Thousand Oaks.
Surrounded by those gorgeous rolling hills and mountains, it's pretty easy to see why. Plus, with easy access to the 101 and 23 freeways, you're super close to Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Agoura Hills, and even LA, Malibu, and Ventura. Talk about prime location!
Map Location
Oak Park (tiny spot on map to the northeast of Westlake Village) is surrounded by beautiful Rolling Hills and mountains. Its close to highways 101 and 23. It's convenient access to some of the best spots in Southern California including Malibu, Los Angeles, Westlake Village and Ventura.
Many residents will shop in Thousand Oaks, which is right next door and also commute to Los Angeles (varying from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending on time of day and your ultimate destination in L.A.).r
Understanding the Cost of Living in Oak Park
The cost of living here is about 36% higher than the national average, which is pretty similar to Thousand Oaks.
And like most of California, that's mostly due to housing.
The median home value in Oak Park? Around $1.2 million and it's been steadily climbing.
Since there's no real downtown or big economic base, most folks are either working from home, commuting, or enjoying their retirement.
Safety and Security
Of course, like anywhere in SoCal, you've got natural disaster risks like floods, mudslides, earthquakes, wind, drought, and wildfires.
Wildlife Encounters in Oak Park: Living Close to Nature
Living here means living with nature. Oak Park is surrounded by open spaces and national preserves.
Fun fact: it's known as the "snake capital of California." Seriously, the police and fire departments get special training for dealing with venomous snakes.
You'll also see deer, coyotes, and sometimes even mountain lions and black bears. So, keep your eyes peeled!
 Environmental Considerations
Air quality is just slightly above the national average. Some residents have mentioned occasional "stinky" air and "wanky" water. And here's a big one: there's been some concern about potential contamination from a nearby 1950s nuclear testing facility.
The Ventura County Star reported that ash from a fire might have blown into Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village. There are conflicting studies, so definitely do your own research.
We've got a link to our Thousand Oaks pros and cons video in the description, where we talk about this more.
Exploring Oak Park's Neighborhoods: A Resort-Like Feel
Okay, let's get to the neighborhoods! The views here are absolutely magical. Those hills and mountains? Movie-worthy.
And after all that rain, everything's in full bloom! The homes are generally average to above-average track homes, with mountain views and open space.
You'll find at least one park within a mile of every neighborhood. It's super peaceful.
Some neighborhoods were built in the 70s, but most are from the 90s and 2000s, with some even as recent as 2022. Lots of pools, thanks to the great weather.
Most neighborhoods have HOAs, but not all. You'll find apartments and condos in one area, older homes and townhomes in another, and newer homes on the hillsides.
Homes range from $675,000 to over $2 million. You'll see gated communities, manicured lawns, mature trees, and ranch and two-story homes.
Community pools are common, and you'll see lots of people walking and kids playing. Traffic is minimal, except around schools during drop-off and pick-up.
Schools
For more information on Oak Park school statistics, you can check out Great Schools and other online sources.
Crime
For more information on crime, there are statistics at Neighborhood Scout and other online sources.
Would you like to get such a clear picture of your top neighborhoods....that you feel like a local?
- For our VIP clients, we (Bart and Keziah) will take you on an in depth area tour......and can even guide you to some spots that you may not have thought of.
- We routinely talk to homeowners in neighborhoods. That way we can get you the most up to date info on what its actually like to live there.
"Thinking about buying a home in Ventura County? We’re Bart and Keziah, local real estate experts who go way beyond the basics—helping you find hidden gem neighborhoods, track down off-market listings, and negotiate the best deal.