Overview
Thousand Oaks is a bustling, widespread city situated in Southern California. Just over an hour away from Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks offers active adults countless outdoor recreation areas and shopping opportunities. Locals love the city’s warm climate, convenient location, and stunning views of the mountains.
Climate & Geography
The Mediterranean climate provides year-round warm weather that makes it a great location for outdoor activities. Thousand Oaks receives significantly more sunny days than the national average and less rainfall.
The city is located north of Los Angeles and south of Santa Barbara, in the Conejo Valley region. Thousand Oaks' geography is notable for its mountainous terrain, featuring many knolls, vistas, and rolling hills covered in oak trees. To the south are several state parks along the Pacific Coast, including the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The north fork of the Arroyo Conejo runs through Thousand Oaks.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Along with sunny and warm weather, Thousand Oaks offers active adults several outdoor attractions. The Garden of the World and Conejo Valley Botanic Garden both offer views of colorful plants and flowers. Wildwood Regional Park serves as a relaxing place for locals to hike. Nearby Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers a look into the area’s history and culture. The site features beaches and mountains, providing plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation.
Oaks Mall provides locals with plenty of options for shopping, and is home to the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks. The city also offers a weekly farmers market and an abundance of festivals and events throughout the year.
Los Angeles is less than an hour-and-a-half drive away for those looking for more extensive shopping and entertainment options.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Thousand Oaks is higher than the state and national average, which is mainly due to higher housing costs. Grocery, utility, and health costs in Thousand Oaks are all lower than the national average.
California is not typically considered tax friendly to retirees. Although Social Security income is not taxed in the state, all other forms of retirement income are fully taxed at some of the highest rates in the country. Residents who are 65+ are eligible to double the standard exemption for their income taxes, but the maximum allowed is $516. Property taxes are generally low in the state, which is beneficial for residents of Banning since the cost of homes is much lower than elsewhere in California.
Health Care
Both Ventura County and the state of California score high on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.
Thousand Oaks residents seeking health care options will find that many are conveniently located nearby. Los Robles Regional Medical Center, located in Thousand Oaks, is rated as high performing in two procedures/conditions by U.S. News. UCLA Medical Center, located roughly 32 miles from Thousand Oaks, is rated the No. 1 hospital in California. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, located in Los Angeles, is rated the No. 3 hospital in the state.