SperlingViews - Westlake_Village, California

I have lived in Westlake Village for almost 19 years and I cannot bare to leave. Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery. Not alot of great theater but if you are not to picky, the Civic Arts Center will do for a evening out. Close to beaches, hiking, horseback riding. If you have a house already the cost of living is highly managable. Real estate is quite high but ample. You certainly get what you pay for. As a chef, I enjoy local farmers markets and specialty grocers. Ethnic foods can be difficult to come by especially Asian foods but there are near by Kosher markets, and even Maddy's Market just 8mi. down the road in Calabasas. My only real complaint is the regulations. I even had a neighbor question whether it was legal for me and my family to have a picnic on the front lawn. (of course it is!) Not the friendliest place that I have ever lived (that would be Mission Viejo, CA), but certainly the best located for weather, outdoor activities, and nearby vacation spots (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Solvang, Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Monica).[read more...]

Too hot in the summer. Has desert climate in summer, often days 90+.[read more...]

Westlake Village's location which is right over Santa Monica Mountains from Malibu makes it an easy drive to enjoy the beach as well as a convenient location for a short drive into L.A. or up the coast to Santa Barbara. Foxmoor, which is the neighborhood where I live won a design award when it was developed 35 years ago. A one-mile greenbelt with sidewalk runs next to Potrero Valley Creek. When the creek is flowing in the spring, it is teaming with wildlife including Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and many varieties of ducks. The greenbelt path leads to the school as well as to the community pool. Many children, including our own, learned to ride their two wheel bike for the first time on the greenbelt's sidewalk. Over the 22 years that we have lived here, many great restaurants have opened which include Maestro's Steakhouse which is conveniently located across the street from the Thousand Oaks Civic Auditorium. The Westlake Promenade was developed by an award winning architect. Also minutes away is the Lake Sherwood Country Club. Besides being the typical mild Southern California weather, Westlake Village's air quality is much better than L.A. or the San Fernando Valley.[read more...]

It may get a bit windy here during the winter, but where else can you enjoy a day at the beach in January? Just a short drive away (less than 30 minutes) are the beautiful beaches of Malibu. When my in-laws, who recently moved to Arkansas, visited for the holidays this year this was a top priority, especially since we had plenty of sun and temps in the mid 70's.[read more...]

Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village are widely acclaimed to be among the finest residential areas in Southern California. Population influxes in recent years reflect an upscale trend of individuals who believe that family values and quality of life issues are important. Local residents want good schools and education, safe communities, clean air and water, access to open spaces, cultural opportunities, good neighborhoods, stable government, efficient city operations, excellent health care, and good shopping and dining facilities. Likewise, local residents participate in civic, school and neighborhood affairs to achieve the higher quality of living they seek.[read more...]

I neglected to add on Westlake Village: - very safe, low crime - bicycle and pedestrian friendly with excellent bike lanes and nearby mountain bicycling - not congested - mostly upper middle-class Overall very high quality of life. Perfect place to raise a family. My kids participate in baseball/softball, golf, horseback riding, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, bicycling, and more all in/around Westlake. Only negative I can think of is that you have to go to into the Valley, LA or OC for a much greater diversity of ethnic restaurants. And if you're single or without children, it's probably better to live in Santa Monica or closer to LA.[read more...]

Westlake Village and So. Cal. is the best place I have ever lived (2003-2007+). The weather, nearby beaches, good schools, Santa Monica mountains, awesome day and weekend trips (SF, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Disney, sports), and proximity to LA restaurants are all things I will miss when I have to leave. Of course, housing is expensive, but my house has significantly appreciated in value. And bad traffic on the highway going to LA or Orange County is the norm. Because I work for a large corporation and was an Army officer, I have lived in 8 different places around the country. I am married, in my 40's, and have 4 children.[read more...]