Living In Oak Park, CA

A local look at schools, neighborhoods, lifestyle, & what makes Oak Park different.
A brown sign with white text reads Welcome to Oak Park, County of Ventura. Framed by stone pillars and colorful flowers, it welcomes visitors to a vibrant community featuring both newer homes and charming older homes. Trees and a road are visible in the background.
A youth baseball game in progress at Oak Park; a batter stands at home plate ready to swing, while the pitcher has just thrown the ball. Players are living the moment on the field as spectators watch behind a chain-link fence.
Aerial view of Indian Springs, a suburban neighborhood with rows of houses, a green baseball field, and rolling hills in the background under a clear sky.
Children and adults living in the neighborhood enjoy a splash pad in Oak Park, where water features spray upwards. A playground with slides and shady trees is nearby, and some people relax on benches under the sunny sky.

SAFE, PEACEFUL, AWARD-WINNING SCHOOLS

If strong schools and a quieter, more residential feel are high on your list, Oak Park is usually one of the first places people consider.

It’s known for being safe, clean, and laid back, without feeling outdated.

You get the experience of seclusion while remaining only a couple miles from both Westlake Village and Agoura Hills, keeping your day-to-day conveniences within arms reach.

And it’s the place I’ve called home for over 20 years.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER OAK PARK

It’s usually the schools that first grab a buyer’s interest in Oak Park. But once you spend some time here, you start to realize it offers a lot more than just that.

The streets are clean, the homes are consistent, and it has a quiet, safe feel. You’re also surrounded by parks and trails, which is a big part of the lifestyle here.

It’s usually a great fit if:

  • Schools are a top priority
  • You prefer a quieter neighborhood over being in the middle of everything
  • You like having parks, trails, and open space close by
  • You’re comfortable driving a few minutes for shopping and restaurants
  • You’re drawn to a smaller, more close-knit community feel

→ It may not be the right fit if you’re looking for a more walkable town center, larger yards, or a neighborhood that feels less like a planned community.

 

OAK PARK | AT A GLANCE

  • COUNTY: Ventura
  • POPULATION: ~14,000
  • SCHOOL DISTRICT: Oak Park Unified (OPUSD)
  • HOUSING ERA: 1980s–90s Construction
  • PRIMARY PROPERTY TYPES: Single-Family Homes (~$900K-$2M), Townhomes & Condos (~$600k-$1M)
  • LIFESTYLE: Quiet, Family-Focused, Outdoors-Oriented
  • BORDERS: Agoura Hills and Westlake Village

What It's Like to Live in Oak Park

Oak Park has a quiet, residential feel. Most neighborhoods are tucked away, with minimal traffic and a slower pace that a lot of families are looking for.

Day-to-day life here tends to center around parks, hiking trails, and kids sports. It’s the kind of place where weekends are more about being outside or at a game than going out to restaurants or shopping.

One thing to know: Oak Park doesn’t have a traditional downtown with shops and restaurants. When you want those things, most residents head a few minutes south into Westlake Village or Agoura Hills. It’s close enough to be convenient, but far enough that Oak Park keeps its quieter, more private feel.

Life here tends to revolve around school schedules, kids’ activities, and being outside. It’s something I’ve seen firsthand living here.

WHERE OAK PARK IS LOCATED

Oak Park is in Ventura County and sits right up against the Los Angeles County line. Agoura Hills borders it to the south, Westlake Village to the southwest, and Simi Valley to the north.

The Santa Monica Mountains run along the back of the community, which is a big reason it feels so calm and tucked away. You’re close to everything, but you wouldn’t always know it once you’re actually there. Many neighborhoods back up to open space, and access to hiking trails is part of everyday life here.

One thing many buyers don’t realize at first: Oak Park is entirely within Ventura County. There’s no split like you see in Westlake Village. That keeps things simpler, and it’s also why the entire community feeds into one school district, Oak Park Unified.

THE FIVE TOWNS THAT MAKE UP THE CONEJO VALLEY

From Oak Park, you’re about 60 minutes to Los Angeles (traffic dependent), roughly 25 minutes to Malibu, and an hour from Santa Barbara. It feels residential and tucked away without being isolated.

PROPERTY TYPES IN OAK PARK

Single-Family Homes

$900K-$2M
(most homes)

Most homes were built in the late ’80s and ’90s, with two-story layouts and floorplans designed for family living.

You’ll see a mix of updated homes and ones that still have more original finishes, so there’s usually a range depending on your style and budget.

For many buyers, it’s the combination of home and schools that makes Oak Park worth a closer look.

Oak Park’s 6 Sister Neighborhoods: How They Compare

Townhomes & Condos

$600k-$1M
(most homes)

Oak Park also has seven townhome communities throughout the area.

These neighborhoods tend to appeal to first-time buyers, downsizers, or anyone who prefers a lower-maintenance setup, with HOAs typically maintaining the exterior and common areas.

For a lot of buyers, townhomes are also the most accessible way to get into Oak Park, especially if schools and location are a priority.

Oak Park’s 7 Townhome Communities Compared

Explore All Oak Park Neighborhoods

What You’ll Notice Touring Homes in Oak Park

A few things tend to stand out once you really start looking at homes here:

  • MOST HOMES WERE BUILT IN LATE ’80s TO ’90s
    These aren’t brand-new homes, but a lot of them still have what buyers are looking for today like higher ceilings, good natural light, and layouts that just work.
  • LOT SIZES ARE TYPICALLY ON THE SMALLER SIDE
    You won’t find many large yards here. Most lots fall roughly in the 3,500–7,500 sq ft range, with some outliers. That’s one of the tradeoffs for the location and newer feel of the homes.
  • OAK PARK BREAKS INTO TWO SECTIONS: OLDER VS. NEWER
    The original area, built mostly in the ’70s and early ’80s, sits closer to Agoura Hills. The newer section, built late ’80s through the ’90s, is closer to Westlake Village. → Read: Oak Park | Older vs. Newer Homes
  • SCHOOLS ARE ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS BUYERS FOCUS ON OAK PARK
    Oak Park Unified has a strong reputation, and it’s often at the top of the list for consistency from elementary through high school. You’ll find great schools across the Conejo Valley, but Oak Park tends to stand out.
  • PARKS AND TRAILS ARE A BIG PART OF LIVING HERE
    You’ll find 7 parks throughout Oak Park, along with access to some of the best hiking and biking trails in the Conejo Valley. There’s a good mix too: kids splash park, a dog park, baseball fields, and pickleball courts.

These little details don’t always show up in listing descriptions, but they’re part of what shapes the everyday feel of living here.

Oak Park Real Estate Market Snapshot

Oak Park is a smaller community, so there are usually only a handful of homes for sale at any given time.

In general, Oak Park prices break down like this:

  • Single-Family Homes: $900K-$2M
  • Townhomes & Condos: $600k-$1M

Because there aren’t a lot of sales each month in Oak Park, median prices can move around a bit depending on what’s on the market at the time.

If you’re trying to understand the bigger picture, it helps to look at the Conejo Valley overall:

Conejo Valley Real Estate Snapshot as of May 1st:

  • Median Home Price: $1,178,500 down 1.3%
  • Homes for Sale: 495 homes vs 535 last year
  • Average Days on Market: 28 vs 27 last year
  • 30 Year Mortgage: 6.3% vs 6.7% last year

→ Read the Full Monthly Market Update HERE

If you want a clearer picture of what’s happening right now and how it affects you, start with my advice for buying and selling:

Buying a Home This Year  Selling a Home This Year

OAK PARK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Schools are one of the primary reasons many buyers consider Oak Park.

Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) consistently ranks among the strongest districts in the region. For many relocating families, this alone puts Oak Park on the shortlist.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
 ● Red Oak Elementary
 ● Brookside Elementary
 ● Oak Hills Elementary

MIDDLE SCHOOL:
 ● Medea Creek Middle School

HIGH SCHOOL:
 ● Oak Park High School

If schools are a big part of your decision, here’s a quick breakdown of what to know before choosing a home in Oak Park.

Oak Park Unified School District | What to know before buying

Parks & Outdoor Activities

Oak Park has 7 parks and tons of hiking trails. Some highlights:

Outdoor access is one of Oak Park’s underrated strengths. For families who value parks, walking paths, and weekend outdoor time, it’s a part of daily life here.

Curious what daily life looks like here?
What it’s like to live in Oak Park

A collage shows a cozy winery restaurant in Westlake Village, a musician playing guitar outdoors, an aerial view of vineyards and rustic buildings, and two people sharing wine and snacks—capturing the charm of living here or considering relocation.

How Oak Park Compares to Other Conejo Valley Towns

Oak Park is one of five neighboring towns that make up the Conejo Valley. Here’s a quick snapshot of how they compare.

Town General Vibe Typical Price Range School District
Single Family Condo/Townhome
Oak Park Quiet, family-oriented, residential, and known for highly regarded schools $900K-$2M $600k-$1M OPUSD
Westlake Village Upscale, polished, with some walkable pockets near shopping and dining $1.2M-2.5M+ $700k-$1.5M LVUSD/CVUSD
Agoura Hills Scenic foothill setting with a mix of suburban and semi-rural feel $900k-$2M $500k-$1M LVUSD
Thousand Oaks Largest city, widest mix of neighborhoods, housing types, and price points $750k-$1.5M $600k-$900K CVUSD
Newbury Park More space, mountain views, and often a little more house for the money $700k-$1.5M $500k-$900k CVUSD

Text graphic that says HI! I'm Michael—with HI! in gray block letters and I'm Michael in large brown cursive script. Perfect for anyone interested in buying a house, set on a light background for a welcoming, professional touch.
I’m a local Realtor and the creator of ConejoValleyGuy.com. I’ve been helping buyers and sellers in the Conejo Valley for over 25 years.

Most of that time is spent helping people figure out which town actually fits them. Not just which one looks good online. Oak Park comes up a lot in those conversations.

If you’re thinking about making a move, I’m happy to help you sort through it.

Let’s Discuss

THINKING ABOUT OAK PARK VS. OTHER TOWNS?

Westlake Promenade in Westlake Village with a clock tower and blooming trees is reflected in a pond with a small fountain. Text over the image reads: How to Choose Between All 5 Conejo Valley towns when choosing a town in this beautiful region.Oak Park is one of the more straightforward choices, but it still helps to see how it compares before you commit.

Once we narrow those down, your search gets a lot easier.

How to Choose Between All 5 Conejo Valley Towns

THINKING ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING IN OAK PARK?

Whether you’re relocating to the Conejo Valley or thinking about selling, Oak Park has its own price ranges and tends to attract a certain type of buyer.

FOR BUYERS

 

FOR SELLERS

Let’s Discuss

OAK PARK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ventura County. That’s actually one of the things that surprises some buyers, especially since it sits right up against the LA County line. The county line runs along the southern edge of Oak Park, with Agoura Hills just on the other side.

One thing worth knowing: Oak Park property taxes are actually on the higher side (approx. 1.30% compared to 1.20-1.25% for the other 4 towns. It’s largely due to school improvement bonds tied to OPUSD.

As an Oak Park resident myself, I’m happy to pay a little more to keep our schools up. In turn, that helps maintain our property values.

However Ventura County sales tax is about 1% lower than LA County.

Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD). It’s one of the smaller districts in the region, which is part of why it’s so consistent.

Every kid in Oak Park goes through the same pipeline: three elementary schools (Brookside, Red Oak, and Oak Hills), Medea Creek Middle School, and Oak Park High School. For a lot of families, that consistency from K through 12 is a big part of the appeal.

Oak Park Unified School District | What to know before buying

Single-family homes generally run $900K-$2M depending on size, condition, and which part of Oak Park you’re in. Townhomes and condos typically fall in the $600k-$1M range.

Oak Park is a smaller community, there aren’t always a lot of homes on the market at once, which means prices can shift depending on what’s available at any given time.

Check out Oak Park Neighborhoods

There’s no real Oak Park town center. We do have some retail and restaurants, but they’re not walkable from most neighborhoods.

That said, it’s a little deceiving. Oak Park is so small and so close to the other towns that you’re only minutes away from the best shopping and dining in the Conejo Valley. Most residents (myself included) don’t feel like they’re missing anything.

Oak Park basically breaks into two sections:

  • The older section, built mostly in the late ’70s and early ’80s, sits closer to Agoura Hills. Older homes can have more character and sometimes larger lots.
  • The newer section, built from the late ’80s through the ’90s, is closer to Westlake Village. The newer area tends to have more of the floor plans buyers are looking for today: higher ceilings, more open layouts, better natural light.

It’s one of the first things I walk buyers through when they start looking here.

Oak Park | Older vs. Newer Homes

It’s one of the more family-focused communities in the Conejo Valley. Strong schools, seven parks, access to trails, low crime, and a neighborhood feel where people actually know their neighbors.

The tradeoff is that it’s quiet. There’s not a lot going on if your kids are teenagers looking for things to do on a Friday night. But for families with younger kids especially, it checks a lot of boxes.

What It’s Like to Live in Oak Park

Yes, seven townhome communities spread throughout the area. They tend to be the most accessible price point in Oak Park, with most falling in the $600k-$1M range.

They’re popular with first-time buyers and downsizers who want the school district and location without the single-family home price tag. HOAs typically cover exterior maintenance and common areas, so it’s a lower-maintenance setup than owning a standalone home.

Oak Park’s 7 Townhome Communities Compared

EXPLORE MORE OF THE CONEJO VALLEY

WESTLAKE VILLAGE AGOURA HILLS OAK PARK THOUSAND OAKS NEWBURY PARK

POPULAR COMMUNITIES

Lang Ranch Lakefront Gated North Ranch Dos Vientos

CONEJO VALLEY ON THE MAP

Click to Explore Neighborhoods

STEP 1:

FIRST MEETING

We’ll talk through your plans and what buying looks like in the Conejo Valley.

STEP 2:

AREA & HOME TOURS

You’ll get a feel for how the towns connect and which ones feel right to you.

STEP 3:

OFFERS → CLOSING

I’ll guide you through offers, negotiations, and all the way to closing.

See How the Buying Process Works