Overview of Agoura Hills
Agoura Hills is a suburban city in Los Angeles County, nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains. It offers a mix of rural, equestrian-ranch style neighborhoods and more suburban ones with mature landscaping, parks, good schools, and relatively easy freeway access (especially to the US-101). It's often viewed as a high-quality-of-life place: clean air (relative to urban LA), open space, trails, and a strong sense of community.
Schools & School District
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The public school district serving Agoura Hills is the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD).
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LVUSD has strong metrics: high graduation rates (around 95-96%), proficiency in reading and math above many state averages, and good rankings in the Los Angeles area.
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Agoura High School is one of the key high schools; it is ranked about 8/10 by GreatSchools, and in the top ~30% in California based on test scores.
For families, this means good assurance about the quality of public education.
Crime & Safety
Here’s what the data shows about Agoura Hills:
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Violent crime: Low relative to many urban areas. For example, in 2024, there were 24 violent crimes, giving a rate of about 125 per 100,000 residents.
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Property crime: Higher in comparison, with about 173 incidents in 2024, or roughly 900 per 100,000.
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On many metrics, Agoura Hills is safer than the U.S. average overall, but some neighborhoods fare better than others.
Important caveat: Crime rates vary quite a lot by neighborhood, street, proximity to major roads, etc.
What Homes Cost / Housing Market
Here are the broad strokes:
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The median listing home price in Agoura Hills is around $1.5 million, with homes per square foot listing around $620.
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Median sold home price is about $1.3 million.
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Some neighborhoods are more affordable; others (especially large estates, equestrian properties, Old Agoura, etc.) can go much higher.
Best Neighborhoods / Streets & Why They Are Great for Families
While specific street-by-street rankings vary (and preferences differ by what one values: lot size, view, privacy, commute), here are neighborhoods and example streets that are frequently cited as among the best, along with what they offer.
| Neighborhood / Street(s) | Approx Price Range / Example Streets | What Makes It Special | Trade-offs / Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Cove / Midtown | Median home price ~ $1.09-$1.3 million in many cases. Example: homes on Forest Cove Lane. One sold recently for ~$1.48M (4 bd/2.5-3 ba, ~2,600-3,200 sq ft). | Quiet, mature landscaping, parks like Forest Cove Park, family-friendly. Good lot sizes. Close enough to shopping along Thousand Oaks Blvd & Kanan Road for errands. | Less walkability — most errands need car. Can be pricey. Traffic on major roads at peak times. |
| Old Agoura | Homes often in the $1.5M to $3M+ range, especially for horseranch properties and large lots. Some smaller homes under $1M exist but are rare in that area. | Rural feel, equestrian facilities, private trails, lots of open space, peace & quiet. Great for families who want space, nature, privacy. Strong schools via LVUSD, clean air. | Some distance to shopping or freeway depending on exact spot. Roads like Chesebro Road may need more maintenance (residents discuss road/ trail repair needs). |
| Morrison Ranch | Luxury single-family homes. Price ranges often ~ $1.7M-$2.5M for high end. | Mountain views, large lots, newer construction in some sections, cul-de-sac living, family appeal. | Higher cost; proximity to freeway varies; sometimes longer commute to some parts of LA. |
| Reyes Adobe | More moderately priced relative to some of the luxury sections: often ~$800,000-$1.2M depending on lot size and house condition. | Good mix of history, proximity to the 101 freeway, shopping via Reyes Adobe Plaza, schools, more accessible while still offering quiet. Good option if you want balance. | Traffic can be heavier near major roads; some homes are older and may need updates. |
Streets to Watch
If you want specific streets known for being desirable, here are some examples:
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Forest Cove Lane (in the Forest Cove neighborhood) — large lot homes, good views, well-kept, family-oriented. Example: 5450 Forest Cove Lane sold ~ US$1.5M for 4 bedrooms, 2.5-3 baths, ~2,600-3,400 sq ft.
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Middle Crest Drive — this street appears in the “M” streets list of Agoura Hills 91301; situated in hilly terrain, likely with good views and quieter setting.
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Chesebro Road and Fairview Place in Old Agoura — known equestrian streets, trails, horse-friendly, part of the rural/open space vibe.
Convenience & Commute
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Proximity to the Ventura Freeway (US-101) is a big plus in many neighborhoods (Reyes Adobe, Forest Cove, etc.). Gives good access for commuting to other parts of the Valley, LA, Westside, etc.
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Shops, groceries, and restaurants are concentrated along thoroughfares like Thousand Oaks Blvd and Kanan Road. If you live closer to these, convenience is high. In Old Agoura, though, you trade off some distance for space and peace.
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Access to trails, open space, and parks is excellent in many areas—especially in Old Agoura, near Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon open space, and in neighborhoods with mature trees, equestrian trails.
Why Families Love Agoura Hills
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Strong Public Schools: As noted, LVUSD performs above many state averages. High graduation rates, engaged communities.
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Balance of Nature and Suburban Amenities: Enough open space, trails, quiet, views, plus shops, restaurants, parks. You’re not completely isolated, yet if you want serenity, it’s there.
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Safety: Lower violent crime; while property crime is present, neighborhoods tend to be safe, especially away from major traffic corridors.
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Lifestyle Options: From rural/equestrian to newer upscale neighborhoods. Families can choose what suits their style—horse properties, large lots, or more suburban, “normal” houses.
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Community Feel: Many neighborhoods have strong associations, events, good parks, and friendly neighbors.
Things to Watch Out For
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Cost: Homes are expensive. Luxury homes or homes on large lots (esp. in Old Agoura or high up) can be quite pricey.
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Traffic: On the big roads (101, Kanan, Thousand Oaks Blvd), peak traffic can be heavy. Some nightlife or dining spots are a drive.
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Wildfire Risk: In many hilly or open space adjacent neighborhoods, fire risk and evacuation routes are concerns.
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Maintenance of infrastructure: Some roads are older; in rural areas, roads/trails need upkeep. For example, Chesebro Road in Old Agoura has been flagged for needing repairs.
Summary
If I had to pick a few “best streets/neighborhoods” for families:
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Forest Cove Lane in Forest Cove: if you want very good amenities plus quieter living.
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Streets in Old Agoura, like within Fairview Place, Chesebro Road, etc., if you want rural & equestrian-friendly.
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Reyes Adobe side streets for a more moderate price, but great proximity to the freeway and shops.
If you tell me your budget, how important a commute is, and whether you prefer rural vs. suburban vs. more urban amenities, I can recommend streets more specifically suited to you. Give me a call today!
