Nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains, Wildwood offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and suburban convenience. Rental homes typically feature larger lots with mountain views and excellent access to hiking trails. The neighborhood sits within the highly-rated Conejo Valley School District while remaining just minutes from both the 101 Freeway and upscale shopping at The Oaks mall.
Westlake gives you that Southern California lifestyle without actually having to deal with LA. The neighborhood surrounds the actual lake it's named for, and many apartments have water views that would cost triple in Santa Monica. You're close enough to make occasional trips into the city, but most nights you can walk to dinner at The Promenade instead of sitting in freeway traffic. The rentals here generally include community pools and gyms that people actually use, unlike those sad apartment "fitness centers" with one broken treadmill. Just know that while the area is beautiful, you'll need a car – this isn't exactly a public transit paradise.
Suburban serenity defines this family-oriented enclave surrounding the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Broadway series. Renters enjoy award-winning schools but face 25-minute drives to Malibu beaches during summer weekends. The hidden Stagecoach Inn Museum's pioneer artifacts attract school groups that temporarily overwhelm street parking.
