Housing prices are high
but crime is low

This is another "good news, bad news" Acorn.

The bad news (don’t you always want the bad news first?) is that Ventura has been labeled as the second most overpriced housing market in the U.S., according to Consumer Reports magazine.

If you’re a seller, you probably disagree that "overpriced" is bad news. And a local representative of the real estate industry says nothing is overpriced if buyers and sellers reach an agreement.

The problem (a.k.a. the "bad news") is that home prices are exceeding the borrowing power and budgets of potential buyers.

On the other hand, houses continue to sell. The dilemma is that middle-income families are beginning to find it tough to buy or even rent in Thousand Oaks. Employers will also face a downside if they can’t deliver adequate salaries to make homeownership feasible for the young professionals they need.

"Affordable Conejo Valley housing" is becoming an oxymoron.

Moving along, the good news is that the low crime rate in Thousand Oaks fell even lower last year.

We’re not a crime-free city, but we’re about as close as you can get.

Unfortunately, crime statistics are only numbers. They shouldn’t be overestimated.

Apathy and complacency play into the hands of criminals, so it’s wise to be vigilant. Always report suspicious activity, be aware of your surroundings and don’t be naïve about your personal safety.