Bell Canyon

Thinking about getting out of LA/Hancock Park area and moving the family to Bell Canyon, can anyone on Fchat who possibly lives there or has pipe in and let me know what it's like. Besides the basics that I have already figured out which are its nice, clean and certainly a bit isolated. Thanks in advance!

 

I am 5 minutes from there. Lovely area. One gate in, one gate out. Some people have a concern about that. The only other concern that I know of is potential radiation in the soil from a nuclear testing/rocket facility in the 1950-1980s.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22181338/latest-soil-tests-at-santa-susana-field-lab

Again being five minutes from there probably is no different, but I would not move to the Santa Susana area....although, I do ride bikes over there...so, who knows. Just some consideration.

But, a very nice area, few minutes from the 101 at Valley Circle.

 

If you're looking there you may as well look at Hidden Hills too....

 

Agreed.

 

Just a few more miles up the 101 your in Westlake Village and your in a completely different world.

 

Have only been there twice in 15 years, but can you please let me know how so. Visiting is always so different than living in a certain area.

Thanks to all that have piped in!

 

It's not that great of a development. I prefer Hidden Hills, Mt. View Estates and The Oaks. Pm me if you need help with a Realtor.

 

My goal is to be out of the valley in the next 24 months. 100% agreed. Make that 1000%.

 

I will have to spend more time out there, I now when I bought my daily driver Jag XJR I dealt with a dealer up there, Silver Star and I did enjoy spending time in that area and driving around there. But again has a visitor.

 

Let me put it this way, A couple years ago i pulled into one of the local gas stations on Westlake Bvd. There were 3 cars, Me in the 348, Jennifer Lopez in a black Jag convertable and a hot trophy wife with a couple kids in the back of a new convertable Mercedes with the top down. As i was leaving i passed Jennifer and said "you no, it used to be when you pulled into the gas station in a Ferrari you had the nicest car around". She just laughed. I know, i should have got a picture, oh well.

 

Thats funny but it does put things into perspective!

 

For being so close to L.A. its a cool place. Public schools are great, no gangs or anything like that. Very little crime, you cant go for a walk anytime of day or night and your perfectly safe. Very clean and well taken care of, they take excellent care of the roads. Food is top notch just about where ever you go. When you take the F car out you dont feel out of place at all because there is usually more expensive cars all around you. Basically its just old rich people and Yuppies. If you go to Trader Joes or Spouts at around 6:30 in the evening its like going to a fashion show. The place is filled with hotties.

One more funny story. A couple months ago a friend stopped by and took me out to lunch. Very successful guy but he drives a mazda 3, he thinks it makes him look young and hip. We pull up to Finns, expensive but great sea food and he says to me, dont you feel funny driving a Ferrari when so many people are having a hard time. Then right on cue some high school girl pulls up in a new red Benz. So i said, no because the high school kids drive nicer cars than i do. Next time i see him hes driving a new M3.

 

Hey Albert!

I live in Bell Canyon. Depending on what your budget is, entry into Hidden Hills is in the 1.5M range for a smaller home compared to Bell Canyon. You can get into Bell Canyon for under a million. I am no expert on Hidden Hills but my old next door neighbor is on their HOA committee. Great guy and he loves the community.

Im no expert on Hidden Hills so Ill focus on what I know about my community.

All homes have a 3 car garage minimum. Lots/Plots are 1.1 acres and above. Its hard to find a view that is not breathtaking. My lot has a 270 degree sweeping view, with a preserve behind us. HOA's are very reasonable. If you have along driveway, get the trash valet service. They pick up your cans from your house and return after the trash guy comes. They are vigilante when it comes to the guard gate. PITA when you want to drive past the house you are looking at, but great once you are a resident. Its guarded 24/7 365. No problem with guests, just call the gate and give them the guest name. Its an equestrian community by name. With that said, not every home has a stable with horses, far from it.

About the isolation.....Its not that bad at all. In fact, I like having a home amongst the deer, and rabbits. 5 minutes later Im in the heart of the valley. Lots of F-cars here. Super low crime rate. I commute back and forth to the Van Nuys airport its a 33 minute commute on surface streets.

I love living in a guarded/gated community. I cant remember how many times I have left the keys in the car by accident.

If you are considering Thousand Oaks/Westlake village, and commute on the 101.....thats something to think about. It gets messed up during morning and afternoon rush hours. Its called the Callabassas Crunch.

Hope this helps.

Christian

 

Thanks Christian, appreciate your input. Being from LA I do worry about the isolation but again were trying to get out of the city! I will be looking at a couple of homes there this weekend and keep you guys posted. I did find out that the Fire Dept is outsourced to LA FIRE station 105 & 106 in West Hills, if you have a crime (rarely there) its Ventura Sheriff and if you have an automobile accident its Highway Patrol...

 

All correct. Another thing I forgot to mention, Bell Canyon is Ventura county. Ventura county tax rate. About the only crime here is the CHP busting people for rolling through the stop signs. No home invasions, murders etc. (knock on wood).

 

Spent time looking at several homes up in Bell Canyon this weekend and I came to the realization that I do like it up there. Compared to where we were looking, Calabasas, Agoura, Woodland Hills and even West Hills (isnt that just a nice name for Canoga Park?).
Certain parts of Woodland Hills have their advantages, again most of these areas are near or around Bell Canyon not South of the Blvd. The homes we looked up out in Bell Canyon were just "not the ones" for us. But driving around I could that what were looking for is there, maybe not for sale at this time. Good thing I have about 2 to 3 years to make this move. We live in Hancock Park and fortunately were good up until 5th grade, the twins are in 2nd at this time. The search continues and thank you all for your input!

 

I've lived in Bell Canyon since 1980. Been through several brush fires here and due to brush clearance rules, no house has ever burned from them.
The one entry in and out has been no problem.
There are several Ferrari owners here.
The community spirit is good. The residents get along quite well.
Prices for homes are great.
It's a good choice.

 

We think so too, now its just a matter of finding the right house. At the right price!

 

PM sent.

 

We should do a Bell Canyon Fcar meet and greet. Take over the tennis court parking lot one Sunday.

 

Spent a lot of time in Bell Canyon. Nice area and you really feel like you are out of the city. My mother in law lived there until she passed away a little over two years ago. House was nice and has a vineyard. I hear its up for sale now. Went to a party at someone's house that had a Ferrari and maybe a lambo too. Don't recall this name.