Oak Park may be small in size but it’s got a pretty big reputation.
The schools are highly recognized and regarded throughout the state, and the super laidback lifestyle continues to be a major draw towards this part of Southern California. It’s home to tons of parks, miles of hiking trails, and the beauty of the surrounding mountain vistas certainly add to its appeal.
But we’re here to talk housing…
Oak Park breaks down into two distinct sections
- The original area, sitting closer to Agoura Hills
- and the newer area, off Lindero Canyon Road.
Both sides offer everything from entry level condos to estate style homes. But being built over the course of a few decades, we’re bound to see some differences in architecture, lot size, and even some curb appeal.
The breakdown,
Original Oak Park | Built in the 70s and 80s
Aesthetically speaking, this side of Oak Park and Agoura Hills have a lot in common. Head up Kanan through Agoura, and you’ll cross into Oak Park before you realize it. Why? The first official neighborhood in Oak Park was built in the 1970s – much like most of Agoura Hills.
The older construction comes with some perks you won’t find as often in the newer section. First and foremost, yard size. Compared to the newer section of Oak Park, the same price point will usually get you a much larger yard and more privacy.
Older Oak Park home built in 70s-80s
As you enter the home, you’ll definitely pick up that 70s vibe and may catch a few flashbacks – lower ceilings, smaller kitchens, and limited natural light. You may even stumble into some shag carpet and popcorn ceilings from time to time. Laundry rooms weren’t much of a thing back then which means you’ll be doing your laundry in the garage.
During this era, builders made parents give up some bedroom and bathroom space to share with their kids. You’ll notice that the master bedroom will be a bit smaller than a 90s house, but you’ll really notice a difference in the master bath. It’s much smaller and without a lot of space to move around. There are certainly exceptions to this, but if a grand master bath with a separate bath & shower and his & her vanities are on your “must have” list, you may want to check out the newer homes.
However, your loss is your kids gain. Kids bedrooms tend to be larger in this section of Oak Park. Not night and day larger, but enough to make a difference. Is this a benefit? I guess it depends on how much you want to share your space with your kids.
Newer Oak Park | Built in the 80s and 90s
Needless to say, a lot changed between 1970 and 1990 – especially style. Oak Park is a perfect representation of the architectural changes from the 70s to 90s.
Newer Oak Park home built in the 90s
One of the first things you’ll notice is the curb appeal – they tend to be more cookie cutter on this side of Oak Park. Some like that uniformity, others find it to be too much of a reminder that they live in suburbia.
Inside, you’ll find the more popular open concept with higher ceilings and those high windows that let in natural light. The kitchens tend to be more open and flow into the family room. At this point, you may have forgotten about the formal living room. That’s because the builder almost forgot it too – it’s usually just a small sitting room. But since most families spend the majority of their time in the kitchen and family room, this oversight is often forgiven.
The washer/dryer finally made its way from the garage into its own dedicated laundry room. And an upstairs loft area became a popular feature for an office, TV room, or kids play area.
But the real tradeoff is found in the backyard. Many of the newer homes have much smaller yards and lack in privacy. It can make you feel like you’re in a fishbowl. Others may come with privacy, but skimp on size. The ones that do offer both privacy and size, will cost a pretty penny. Personally, I think the abundance of local parks makes the small yard easier to swallow.
To sum it up
There is no section of Oak Park that is “better” than the other – there are just differences. Style is subjective, you may like a large street with a little variety in the curb appeal. You may be looking for a small, low maintenance yard. I don’t want to talk you into one or the other, I’m just here to point you in the right direction. The bullet points:
I hope this serves as a foundation
My hope here is to give you a preview into what to expect in your Oak Park home search. It’s easy for me to get carried away in the nuances of Oak Park, but I’d rather show you in person. Which side of Oak Park sound like it might make a good fit? Let’s Connect and see some of the neighborhoods and homes in person!
