San Luis Obispo Rentals for Mom and two kids? How expensive? (Arroyo Grande: apartments, townhomes)

[ThanksABunch]

Can you rent a nice place in San Luis Obispo for $1000 per month? I'm not a student, by the way, and would NOT want to live in a student community. I'm a 40s lady with two children (13 and 3) and would like a family friendly area. I'm open to a nice, large apartment that is not geared towards students (as I said)....or a townhome. I'm assuming at my price, a house is not possible so i won't even go there.

Is that even possible in that area? Any suggestions of where to search online or if there are some nice areas outside of SLO with great schools, living?


I work from my computer so can live anywhere..so my first concern is my kids and best place for them.

[tireeskye]

You could peruse craigslist for San Luis Obispo county to get a sense of rental prices and then people who know the area can give you information about various communities, neighborhoods, schools, etc..

san luis obispo apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

[JetJockey]

$1000 in San Luis proper? Doubtful... Unless you want to live in a small 1 bedroom or studio. I would check out some of the outlying areas like Los Osos, Paso Robles and Atasadero.

[tattoobarbie]

In San Luis Obispo, college students are just about in every neighborhood with rentals. The Arbors off of Tank Farm Road has few college students but rent will be about $2500 per month for a 3 or 4 bedroom modest home. You may get a 1 bed studio for $1000 per month.

[MissSanLuis]

Your best bet is going to be over the Cuesta Grade in Santa Margarita. Reasonable rents, nice rural setting for kids, but still a quick drive to San Luis. Not sure what school district you would fall in, so that would definitely be a consideration. Also, just an FYI, right now is the absolute worst time to look for rental in SLO (speaking from 13 years of experience). This is when the students are looking to lock down housing for Fall 2011, so prices are ridiculous. A VERY modest 2 bedroom apartment is marketed as a "luxury downtown loft" and goes for $2,300. Come late June, early July you will see it calm down a little, but the best time to look will be October. Good luck and hope you make it out here!

[ThanksABunch]

Hmmmm...I'm confused. Over 2K for a 2-bedroom?? I found several decent-looking 2-bedrooms on CL for a couple hundred over my price range (not actual houses but duplexes and townhomes). Also found some really cute rentals in coastal areas near SLO for 1500 and less. Unless the photos are deceiving and they are actually dumps, I think we can find something. And....I'm flexible when I can search. I'm not going to be ready until at least next fall.

Thank you for all the responses.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by ThanksABunch

Hmmmm...I'm confused. Over 2K for a 2-bedroom?? I found several decent-looking 2-bedrooms on CL for a couple hundred over my price range (not actual houses but duplexes and townhomes). Also found some really cute rentals in coastal areas near SLO for 1500 and less. Unless the photos are deceiving and they are actually dumps, I think we can find something. And....I'm flexible when I can search. I'm not going to be ready until at least next fall.

Thank you for all the responses.

I would check out Los Osos which is closer to the coast, yet not far at all from SLO. They definately have places in your price range:
http://slo.craigslist.org/search/apa...1200&bedrooms=

For schools take a look at this map and zoom into the areas in questions:
California School Performance Maps

You could also go a bit south to places like Pismo/Arroyo Grande.

Definately keep an eye on CL for deals. I would avoid the city of SLO itself based on what you are saying about college kids. They will be living above you, next to you, etc... in the apartments there. There are many other more affordable options.

Derek