Westlake Village vs. Thousand Oaks
Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks have a lot in common. Arguably more than any two towns in the Conejo Valley. At least in terms of livelihood and conveniences – they have the most to offer out of all 5 towns. They border one another, and technically speaking a portion of Westlake Village is Thousand Oaks, so their lifestyles, architecture, and demographics overlap in many ways.
But let’s dive into the differences…
Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks’ biggest differences come down to consistency. Westlake Village is smaller and slightly more affluent so it maintains a certain aesthetic and demands a level of pride. Thousand Oaks is much larger, with a population more than 10 times the size of Westlake Village. Naturally, this leaves some room for variance.
Lifestyle
Both Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks embody the laidback lifestyle familiar to the Conejo Valley. Thousand Oaks is the largest of the Conejo Valley towns and covers all the bases for conveniences. From grocery stores and gas stations to Best Buy and Home Depot, there’s not a chore on the list that can’t be checked off in Thousand Oaks. The Oaks mall is home to the AMC theater and a heavy handful of restaurants making for an easy Saturday night dinner and a movie. Different events are sprinkled across the year like the 4th of July firework show, live music in the park(s), and various festivals. Lastly, but certainly not least, families from all over the Conejo Valley hop over to Thousand Oaks to enjoy Conejo Valley Days – the annual spring fair proudly held by Thousand Oaks for more than 60 years.
In terms of the day-to-day, Westlake Village is pretty neck and neck with Thousand Oaks. But what sets Westlake Village apart is the livelihood. It set’s the bar across the Conejo Valley. The shopping centers are a step up from the rest with a modern look, nicer restaurants, a higher end retail market, wineries, and craft breweries. Many of the restaurants are local, rather than the chain restaurants you’ll see throughout the surrounding area. And of course, Westlake Lake offers a lifestyle unique to the rest of the Conejo Valley. There’s no shortage of morning joggers taking a lap around the lake or to the nearest coffee shop.
It’s not uncommon for locals to jump between towns to enjoy what each other have to offer.
It’s probably no surprise that Westlake Village has the curb appeal we all long for. The streets are clean and lined with trees, the yards are well kept, and most offer perks like lakeside views, golf course views, or walkability. The houses range in layout, some with separated kitchens and living rooms, and others with the modern open concept.
The lake weaves through 7 Westlake Village neighborhoods offering a coastal lifestyle special to the Conejo Valley. There are condos, single family, and custom homes.
Picture This: Docking your boat at one of the three lakeside restaurants. Enjoying yourself a late afternoon cocktail or evening dinner.
Thousand Oaks’ largest variances are in its housing. The neighborhoods range from condos and townhomes to guard gated estates and its considerably more affordable than other Conejo Valley towns – Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Oak Park. You usually get more house for your dollar and the lot sizes are larger. Some of the neighborhoods are right up to par with the Conejo Valley standard, but you’ll find many are in need of a little TLC. The lack of HOA in some neighborhoods put RVs in the driveways and let the lawns go unwatered.
Schools
There are two school districts covering Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) covers the L.A. County section of Westlake Village. It has 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools (Agoura High School and Westlake Village High School). LVUSD has a strong reputation and is often the preferred district for parents.
Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) covers Thousand Oaks and the area of Westlake Village in Ventura County. It has 17 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 3 high schools. Most schools are very good to excellent, but with 17 elementary schools you can imagine that scores range depending on the neighborhood. Westlake Village schools are highly regarded and highly sought after.
Schools are often a determining factor for parents. While there are loopholes, generally speaking schools are predetermined by neighborhood and town Westlake High School ranks highest in both athletics and academics, but Thousand Oaks isn’t far behind. However, with 17 elementary schools, there’s bound to be some highs and lows. Get a better breakdown here.
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Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks Neighborhoods
We’ve profiled more than 100 Conejo Valley neighborhoods. Get the breakdown on Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks.
