Atascadero (Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo: sales, how much, home)

[jay20]

I am considering moving to Atascadero. I have been there many times and think it would be a good place to live but was wounding what the people are like that live there. Can anyone give me some information about what the people are like in Atascadero?

[Perdu]

Some of them are incarcerated: there's a large prison facility there.

[stellar9]

Some of them are incarcerated and crazy as Atascadero is home to the State Hospital for the prison system. At least the Sexually Violent Predators are no longer housed here.
That aside, Atascadero is a nice place to live with friendly, sane people. I don't know where you are now. I have been in SLO county for 16 years and only in Atascadero for 10 months of that. I prefer SLO or the coast weather-wise, but the housing is a little cheaper here.

Micki

[jay20]

Thanks for the info. I currently live in Bakersfield and want to move ASAP. I have visited SLO/Atascadero/Paso Robles many times and think it would be a good place to live.

[grimstuff]

I would recommend Paso Robles before Atascadero. I live in San Luis Obispo, but wouldn't mind living in Paso. Its a bit smaller than Atascadero, less sprawling, and has a nice downtown area. Plus, it is cheaper than Atascadero, as most in Atascadero commute to SLO, whereas those in Paso are more likely to be doing their own thing there. In other words, Paso is a more self-reliant city, with less of a "bedroom-city" feel. All IMHO, of course.

[Ferret]

My parents live nearby in Creston, Atascadero has a big problem with prostitution right now.
I think Paso Robles would be a better idea. But Pismo and SLO are even nicer I think.

[deeptrance]

I spent 2 weeks in Atasc. last summer and really liked it --- the weather included. I'm more of an inland guy and am not fond of the cool clammy fog and humidity of the Pacific coast. Hence, I currently live in Austin, TX. But I really enjoyed certain things about Atascadero, until I ran out of things to be interested in and realized that Paso and SLO have much more "culture." But that could change. A lot of "bedroom communities" eventually develop their own character and become hubs in their own right, and A has that ability IMO. Just a hunch.

When I was growing up in Santa Barbara we used to scoff at the Atascadero area the way that coastal people scoff at the Midwest. It was "drive-through country" for us, we had no use for it. I was blown away to see how much it has changed there, in large part probably due to the boom in the wine industry in that area. But it's still too conservative for my tastes, and too oriented to older folks who want to live a relatively quiet, predictable and uneventful life.

[grimstuff]

A lot of "bedroom communities" eventually develop their own character and become hubs in their own right, and A has that ability IMO. Just a hunch.

I keep up on the latest developments in Atascadero and believe me, the day it develops "culture" like SLO or Paso is a long way off, if ever. The planning policy the councilmen and commisioners have demonstrated is one of building anything in order to reap sales tax revenue. Its not a terrible city by any means, but the planning there is pretty pathetic compared to SLO or Paso Robles.

[deeptrance]

Thanks for the specific info, grimstuff. That's some grim stuff you said about Atascadero! It's too bad that they don't have better planning, vision or community spirit because the topography around there is stunning. It's so easy to get lost on all those hilly winding roads just outside of town, you'd expect a thriving artsy hub in the center of it all but I must admit it does look like the development is very profit-centered and also focused on people just getting their little piece of land and not bothering with community.

But I'm STILL optimistic in the long run. That's right, in 200 years, I promise you things will be better! Invest now, your great-great-great-grandchildren will thank you for your foresight.

[grimstuff]

If you invest anywhere in Atascadero, you are right, you'll make money. Its becoming not only the bedroom for SLO, but also for Paso Robles, as Paso becomes more self-supportive as a specialized community (burgeoning wine community) with lots of imported dollars and exciting new development downtown associated with the redevelopment and retrofitting of their older buildings. But still, your money would be better spent in the Paso area in my opinion. The housing market is ready to explode up there.