Most people relocating here search things like “Thousand Oaks homes” or “Westlake Village real estate.” What they don’t realize at first is that the Conejo Valley is really five towns sitting right next to each other, each with its own personality, price range, and school district.
The towns are:
- Westlake Village
- Oak Park
- Agoura Hills
- Thousand Oaks
- Newbury Park
They share the same parks, hiking trails, restaurants, and everyday conveniences. Around here, we say it this way: “When you live in one, you get all five.”
You can wake up in Agoura Hills, hike in Thousand Oaks, and have coffee in Westlake Village – all before noon. The towns border each other, and the conveniences don’t stop at city limits.
There’s city living, there’s country living, and then there’s something in between. That middle ground is where the Conejo Valley sits.
We’re about an hour from Downtown LA and 20 minutes from the beach. But day-to-day life here feels a lot calmer than either of those places. This isn’t a late-night city scene — it’s more of a nice dinner, a bottle of wine, and home at a reasonable hour kind of place.
Day-to-day errands are fast. Most things are within five to ten minutes. In fact, locals tend to get a little cranky when something takes longer than that.
It’s also genuinely safe. The kind of safe where people walk around the lake after dark and kids play outside without much thought. My kids have accidentally left the garage open overnight on occasion and we woke up to nothing missing. That’s not a guarantee, but it does tell you something about the neighborhoods.
For most families, it’s that combination – safe, convenient, close to nature, and close enough to LA that makes the Conejo Valley the right place to live.
Life here is just easy. Traffic is light, parking is convenient, and dining at your favorite restaurant is relaxing. It’s those little things that go a long way.
Let's Talk Weather
The weather helps too. Summers get warm – we do have our triple digit days, but the evenings always cool down. You won’t be sweating through your sheets at night. A cracked window and a fan usually does the trick.
Winters are mild, and short. It only rains a few weeks of the year and we welcome it when it does. If you’re coming from somewhere with real seasons, you’ll adjust fast and you won’t miss the snow.
Your Morning Commute
When we talk about traffic in the Conejo Valley we have to break it down into two groups: local traffic and commuter traffic.
There’s rarely local traffic – it’s one of the things we love most about living in the Conejo Valley. Getting from one side of the valley to the other only takes about 20 minutes.
Many of our locals work in nearby cities. For those taking the daily trek downtown, traffic is a little different. Getting out of town remains pretty easy, but you will hit that L.A. traffic further down the 101. It’s manageable, but it’s real. Worth testing the actual drive at the actual time before you commit to a neighborhood.
With that said, we love being close to the city. On a weekend, it’s easy to hop over to the pier in Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles to catch a game, or even north to Santa Barbara for a night’s stay at a B&B.
Conejo Valley Schools
We’re known for our excellent schools. But, chances are you already know that. In fact I’ve had many families move this way from LA or other neighboring towns specifically for our schools.
Conejo Valley School Districts:
- Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) — Westlake Village (LA County), Agoura Hills & Calabasas
- Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) — Oak Park
- Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) — Westlake Village (Ventura County), Thousand Oaks & Newbury Park
All our schools have one thing in common: Parental involvement. It’s a big reason why our kids perform so well. If you’re a parent who has the time to help out at the school or in the classroom, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. It’s the community that makes our schools so special.
I put together a detailed guide covering all three districts — how they compare, what the boundaries look like, and what to know before you search.
Conejo Valley School Districts Explained
How to Think About the Five Towns
There’s no “best town” in the Conejo Valley. Ask 5 locals which town is best and you’ll probably get 5 different answers. Each one fits a different set of priorities and that’s something I help you sort through.
Here’s how we tend to view them:
WESTLAKE VILLAGE
Often considered the heart of the Conejo Valley. Built around the lake starting in the 1960s, it offers walkable restaurants, scenic neighborhoods, and some of the area’s most desirable homes. Prices tend to run toward the higher end. One thing relocating buyers should know: the city sits in two counties and two school districts (LVUSD and CVUSD), which creates some nuances I explain here.
OAK PARK
The smallest town in the Conejo Valley and known for its highly rated schools. Quiet, safe, and a little tucked away, yet only minutes from Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. Demand from families keeps home prices on the higher side.
AGOURA HILLS
Located on the Los Angeles County side of the Conejo Valley, which makes it popular with commuters heading toward LA. It has a small-town feel but sits close to everything. Prices usually fall between Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.
THOUSAND OAKS
The largest city in the Conejo Valley and the one with the most housing variety. You’ll find everything from older ranch homes to hillside communities with views. Prices are often a bit lower than Westlake Village or Oak Park, but the neighborhood you choose matters a lot.
NEWBURY PARK
The western edge of the Conejo Valley and often the best value for space. Homes tend to be more affordable, lots are bigger, and temperatures run a little cooler. Also home to the popular Dos Vientos community.
CONEJO VALLEY TOWNS | AT A GLANCE
Here’s a quick side-by-side snapshot of how the five towns compare.
| Town | Best For | What You Give Up | Price Level | Overall Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake Village | Walkability & lifestyle | Higher price, older homes | Premium | Upscale, central |
| Oak Park | Top schools (OPUSD) | Smaller yards, premium pricing | Upper-mid | Quiet, family-focused |
| Agoura Hills | Space + strong schools | Warmer summers | Upper-mid | Laid-back, outdoorsy |
| Thousand Oaks | House for the money | Less walkable, varies by area | Mid-range | Large & varied |
| Newbury Park | Value & newer homes | Furthest from action | Most affordable | Suburbia, planned |
How Buyers Usually Choose Between the Five Towns
Once buyers understand the five-town layout and the school districts, the next step is usually figuring out which towns make the most sense to focus on.
Here’s the quick high-level way to think about each town:
✓ Westlake Village | Often attracts buyers looking for a slightly more polished feel, proximity to the lake, and access to excellent schools. Home prices tend to run a little higher here.
✓ Oak Park | A smaller residential community known for its schools and quiet suburban feel. Many families specifically target Oak Park for the school district.
✓ Agoura Hills | Often appeals to buyers who want a slightly more relaxed, semi-rural feel while still being close to everything. It also feeds into Las Virgenes schools.
✓ Thousand Oaks | The largest city in the area with the most neighborhoods and price ranges. If you want the widest variety of homes and communities, this is usually where buyers spend a lot of time looking.
✓ Newbury Park | Located on the western side of Thousand Oaks, it tends to offer a little more space, great access to hiking and open space, and often slightly better value for the size of home.
The good news is that these towns all border each other, so living in one doesn’t mean you’re cut off from the others.
Around here, everything is pretty connected.
Ready to Narrow It Down?
If you’re ready for some guidance on how to start narrowing down your search, this guide walks through the decision process step by step:
How to Choose Between the Five Conejo Valley Towns
It explains how buyers typically weigh schools, budget, commute, and lifestyle when deciding where to focus.
