Area: Somis

Somis, like Newbury Park, is another subdivision of Ventura County. Its borders are defined roughly by Highways 118 and 34, otherwise known as Los Angeles Avenue and Somis Road respectively. It is a small area and the roads are winding. Many transform abruptly and it is not difficult to get lost. However, they also connect as a network within the area. The population was 3,061 in 2005 and the density is only 66 people per square mile. The average gross income is $84,284. The average home value is $1,340,932, which only includes houses and condos, not land values. It is predominantly agricultural. Citrus and avocado orchards take up vast tracts of land and there are numerous fields of seasonal fruits and vegetables with connected produce stands. There are three elementary schools, Mesa Elementary, Somis Elementary, and Golden Valley Charter, and one public high school, Somis Academy Charter High.

Somis will initially seem isolated, I believe, especially because of the roads that wind into the hills. Though there is one major residential area, most of the land is divided into large lots. Anyone living there will certainly have space to themselves. However, Somis is actually quite close to both Moorpark and Camarillo. The Camarillo Outlet Mall in nearby, along with movie theatres, restaurants, and shopping areas. Somis does have the wonderful feeling of the country, or as close as one can get in California, with its quiet and space, but it still has the conveniences of the city. The majority travel time to work is only 20 to 24 minutes. It is situated to have all of Ventura County, from Oxnard and the beach to Thousand Oaks and the upper edge of L.A., at its disposal.

Area information provided by City-Data.com. More on Somis available here.

Area: Newbury Park

(Reposted from previous)

Here is some information on the Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks communities:

Conejo Valley consists primarily of Thousand Oaks proper and the surrounding smaller neighborhoods, of which Newbury Park is one. T.O. “consistently ranks as the first or second safest large city (population between 100,000 and 499,999) in the United States in annual surveys” according to Wikipedia. Per capita income was $34,314 in 2006. The political situation is based on the “historically ‘slow growth’-minded city council” but there is increasing concern over the preserved open spaces in the area and the demand for land. There are three major public middle schools and three public high schools, all part of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. California Lutheran University is also located there. The Civic Arts Plaza of Thousand Oaks is an active live theatre. For Newbury Park, the average house value is listed at $291,000 on ZipCodes.com.

The political situation is based on the “historically ‘slow growth’-minded city council” but there is increasing concern over the preserved open spaces in the area and the demand for land. A notable issue in this department is the Dos Vientos Ranch, an ever-expanding project of large houses within spitting distance of one another. In a 2007 statement, Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks cites other areas that have a history of preserving their land from this kind of excessive development.

The biggest selling point for any horse property in the area in my opinion: Foxfield. This riding club is located in Westlake and they offer lessons (adult and child), a summer camp, and boarding. They are home to the Foxfield Drill Team and they host a number of shows through the year. They are especially known for the Foxfield Medal Finals in October. Los AngelesEquestrian Center, Earl Warren Show Grounds, Seaside Park in Ventura, Hansen Dam Equestrian Center, and Flintridge Riding Club are all within reasonable distance even for single day shows.