Comparing Two Conejo Valley Favorites
Is Westlake Village or Agoura Hills a better fit? This is one of the most common conversations I have with buyers relocating to the Conejo Valley.
They’re right next to each other. They share many of the same restaurants, shopping, schools, and everyday conveniences. And although the two communities have a lot in common, I’ve found that they often appeal to different buyers.
- WESTLAKE VILLAGE feels a little more established and intentionally planned.
- AGOURA HILLS feels more relaxed, outdoorsy, and old-California.
Neither is better. They just fit different buyers.
Quick Take
CHOOSE WESTLAKE VILLAGE: if you want a premium-feeling community with lake-area living, North Ranch, strong lifestyle amenities, and a central Conejo Valley location.
CHOOSE AGOURA HILLS: if you want a more relaxed community with strong schools, trail access, open space, and easier commute to downtown and the Valley.
THE SHORT VERSION: Westlake Village wins on polish. Agoura Hills wins on relaxed family living.
One thing I always remind buyers is that these towns are neighbors. Living in one doesn’t mean you stop going to the other. Most people end up enjoying everything both communities have to offer.
Here’s how I explain the differences to buyers who are trying to decide between the two.
The Main Difference
If you live in Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, or Oak Park, Westlake Village tends to be where you end up for restaurants, shopping, and a lot of your everyday amenities.
Once we start driving around, most buyers understand why homes in Westlake Village often cost a little more. It’s not just the houses. It’s the neighborhoods, the landscaping, the lake, the restaurants, the shopping, and the overall feel of the community.
That doesn’t mean every neighborhood is upscale or every home is newer. There are condos, older neighborhoods, and more modest areas too. But as a whole, Westlake Village feels very established and well maintained.
Agoura Hills has a different vibe, though not dramatically different.
Agoura Hills has that small town, concerts and movies in the park type of feel. The parks are usually sprinkled with soccer games on the weekends. There are holiday events like Trick or Treating and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. And the hiking trails stretch into Malibu Canyon providing some pretty stunning coastal views.
Like Westlake, it also has excellent neighborhoods and great schools. But it feels a little more relaxed. As you drive through town, you notice more open space, more hills, and neighborhoods that blend into the surrounding landscape.
It’s common for home buyers to have both Westlake Village and Agoura Hills neighborhoods on their short list.
While many people tend to lean in one direction, it often just comes down to finding the right house in either one of these great towns.
At a Glance:
| Category | Westlake Village | Agoura Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Feel | Established, consistent, well maintained | Relaxed, outdoorsy, family-oriented |
| Lifestyle | Lake, golf, restaurants, North Ranch | Trails, parks, canyons, open space |
| Housing | Lake homes, North Ranch estates, townhomes, tract neighborhoods | Tract homes, Morrison Ranch, Old Agoura, hillside and canyon areas |
| Price | Generally higher | Often more affordable, depending on neighborhood |
| Schools | Las Virgenes & Conejo Valley Unified | Las Virgenes Unified throughout |
| Commute | Central Conejo Valley | Slightly closer to downtown and the Valley |
| Best Fit | Buyers who want to be in the center, convenience, and prestige | Buyers who want schools, space, trails, and a less formal feel |
Housing and Prices
Westlake Village is generally more expensive, but it’s not a huge gap. Both towns have their share of entry-level condos, townhomes, and luxury estates. However, when it comes to the premium estates and neighborhoods, the scales tip considerably towards Westlake Village.
At the same price point, the tradeoff usually looks like this:
→ In Westlake Village, you’re paying more for location and feel.
→ In Agoura Hills, you’re often getting more house or more yard.
Westlake Village
- Single-Family Homes: $1.2M-2.5M+
- Townhomes & Condos: $700k-$1.5M
- Luxury Estates: $3M+
Agoura Hills
- Single-Family Homes: $900k-$2M
- Townhomes & Condos: $500k-$1M
- Luxury Estates: $3M+
Westlake Village breaks down to two main sections:
- LAKE SIDE AREA is the more central area of Westlake Village offering lots of walkability and convenient access to the lake and our best centers, while giving up a little privacy.
- NORTH RANCH section is more secluded and hilly offering a private lifestyle with larger estates, but sacrifices walkability.
Agoura Hills also offers contrasting lifestyles and housing options.
- THE HEART OF AGOURA HILLS is made up of a mix of single family homes, townhomes, and condos with a full range of pricing options and where most buyers end up.
- OLD AGOURA feels like the Old West with custom homes and horse property
- CANYON LIVING offers a whole other lifestyle in the heart of the Santa Monica mountains with park-like surroundings.
The real question is less about which town costs more, and more about which town better fits the lifestyle you are looking for.
Schools and Boundaries
This is where things can get a little confusing. Agoura Hills is consistently Las Virgenes Unified. That part is straightforward.
But, Westlake Village is split between two school districts. The incorporated city of Westlake Village sits in LA County and feeds into Las Virgenes School District, same as Agoura Hills.
The Ventura County section of Westlake Village feeds into Conejo Valley Unified.
Both school districts are excellent and are highly sought after, but for different reasons.
WHICH ONE IS BETTER? That’s a matter of personal opinion and how individual schools compare.
I break that down in detail here: Conejo Valley School Districts Explained
Shopping and Amenities
Overall, Westlake Village has the edge when it comes to shopping and restaurants. If someone asks me where to go for a nice dinner, I usually end up pointing them toward Westlake Village.
But don’t skip Agoura Hills. It has its own personality. Places like Whizin Market Square, the Canyon Club music venue, local wineries, and The Old Place give it a character that’s completely different from Westlake Village.
Being next door neighbors means you get the best of both worlds no matter which town you choose.
Choose Westlake Village If…
Westlake Village tends to attract buyers who want the neighborhood to be just as important as the house they choose.
- The lake and surrounding lifestyle
- North Ranch and its higher-end neighborhood feel
- Restaurants, shopping, and everyday conveniences close by
- Beautifully maintained neighborhoods with walkability
- A central location within the Conejo Valley
Buyers often pay a premium for Westlake Village not because the house is dramatically better, but because the total package, the streets, the setting, the nearby amenities, feels more premium
Living in Westlake VillageChoose Agoura Hills If…
Agoura Hills tends to attract buyers who want a great Conejo Valley location with a little more relaxed feel.
- Parks, trails, and real open space
- Neighborhoods like Morrison Ranch and Old Agoura
- Easier access to Downtown LA, Malibu Canyon, and the Valley
- Las Virgenes Unified schools
- A little more house for the money, in many cases
Over the years I’ve had a many buyers choose Agoura Hills over Westlake Village, not because they were priced out, but because the easygoing vibe better fit their lifestyle.
Living in Agoura Hills
HOW I HELP YOU CHOOSE
Rarely do I work with someone who’s 100% Westlake Village or 100% Agoura Hills.
Both towns have great neighborhoods and a lot to offer.
That’s why, before we start looking at homes, I like to begin with an Area Tour. We’ll spend a few hours exploring the different towns, neighborhoods, and local amenities so you can get a real feel for which community fits you best.
FAQs: Westlake Village vs. Agoura Hills
In general, Westlake Village tends to be more expensive, especially around the lake and in neighborhoods like North Ranch. Agoura Hills often offers a little more home for the money, although prices vary significantly depending on the neighborhood.
Both communities have excellent schools. Agoura Hills is served entirely by the Las Virgenes Unified School District, while Westlake Village is split between Las Virgenes Unified and Conejo Valley Unified. If schools are a priority, it’s important to verify the attendance boundaries for any home you’re considering.
You can also compare the two school districts in my guide here:
Las Virgenes Unified School District | What Parents Should Know
Conejo Valley Unified School District | What Parents Should Know
They’re neighboring communities, and most destinations are only about 5–10 minutes apart. That’s one of the nice things about living here. You’ll likely use the restaurants, shopping, parks, and other amenities in both towns regardless of which one you choose.
No. Lake access and lake rights are tied to specific neighborhoods, not the entire city. If living on or near the lake is important to you, it’s something you’ll want to verify for each property.
I’d give Westlake Village the edge. It has a wider variety of shopping centers, restaurants, and everyday conveniences. That said, Agoura Hills has its own personality, with places like Whizin Market Square, the Canyon Club, local wineries, and The Old Place.
Honestly, I think the neighborhood is usually more important than the town itself. Every community has its own personality, and that’s often what buyers connect with most. I always encourage buyers to compare neighborhoods across both towns before narrowing their search.
Compare Neighborhoods:
Conejo Valley Neighborhood Profiles
If you’re relocating to the Conejo Valley, I’d recommend seeing both communities before focusing on homes. That’s why I start most buyers with an Area Tour. We explore the different towns, neighborhoods, and local amenities first, because once you’ve experienced them in person, the right fit usually becomes much clearer.
