What's the truth about Santa Maria - Orcutt? (Santa Barbara, Nipomo: house, middle school)

[corndog67]

Lompoc crime? As much or more than Santa Maria. Lots of gang stuff going on there, too.

I just moved into my new house in SM. I was there 2 days before I was burglarized. Since I just moved into a gated community, I'm relatively sure it was one of my neighbors, especially sure since there are a bunch of gang looking punks driving around in here all the time. Maybe I will see my compressor in one of their garages and we could have a nice little house fire. Other than that, its been real quiet.

[CalBerkeley2002]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

Back to you, UCB2002, so you lived in Houston? Believe it or not, I'm looking at it based on some job availability criteria. I've been several times and can say that, compared to mesquite studded Dallas, I much prefer piney Houston. Is it that bad? People I know who have had tenures there say the people are friendly and newcomers can integrate quite well. Plus, the housing costs...ooh-lah-lah, all those comfortable newer all-brick homes for a very reasonable price. I know it's hot and muggy for about 3 months and I know it has a high crime rate, but isn't there also a lot to do and, if you're willing to drive south of Galveston, I presume there are some nice, clean usable beaches on the Gulf, no? What steered you back West if I may ask? Are there any Westerners there who actually take to it and thrive? A couple of years after undergrad, I lived in Atlanta and loved it...parental pressure got me to move back West.

Don't get me wrong, Houston is the best (for me) of the big 4 (LA, NY, Chicago, Houston) and you can get an amazing home for $200k, the jobs pay well, the schools in the suburbs are outstanding, and the restaurants are second to none....but it all boils down to us having zero family here and I can't stand to have my daughter grow up without her grandparents, uncles, etc. and thus I must return to CA! I got one more on the way and that is even more reason to be closer to grandma and grandpa. Like all big cities there is a lot of traffic and you have no idea what a summer is until you've lived in Houston or New Orleans. Summer is (June through August) not only the hot season, it is hurricane season, heavy rain season, and mosquito season. But, if you can survive the summer it is a great place to live. If you are going to do it, remember these two: Katy and The Woodlands, these are the places you want to live if you move here - by far the best suburbs Houston has to offer. Sorry to others, I realize this isn't a Houston thread, but wanted to help robertpolyglot out.

[CalBerkeley2002]

Originally Posted by corndog67

Lompoc crime? As much or more than Santa Maria. Lots of gang stuff going on there, too.

I just moved into my new house in SM. I was there 2 days before I was burglarized. Since I just moved into a gated community, I'm relatively sure it was one of my neighbors, especially sure since there are a bunch of gang looking punks driving around in here all the time. Maybe I will see my compressor in one of their garages and we could have a nice little house fire. Other than that, its been real quiet.

The one thing I've learned living in Texas is that most homeowners are armed and well trained - burglaries in nicer neighborhoods are not very prevalent since it is a hazardous venture. Google "Joe Horn" if you want to see what I'm talking about. I never believed in keeping a gun in my house...but there's nothing like someone stealing a man's compressor to make you change your mind!

[AeroWings1]

Well- After going through this thread and several others like it my Fiancée and I have decided to move out to the Orcutt area as well. I have a corporate sales job that covers all of California and Oregon with most of the business centered around the LA Basin. - So I was looking for an area with natural beauty that really appeals to the outdoor enthusiast as well as an area with an airport (to commute in and out of LA easily). As we enjoy hiking, mtn. biking, kayaking, beach combing, camping - I think this looks like a great area in terms of locale. We also adore good wine......

So, with that in mind, I'd like to get some suggestions on neighborhoods we should focus on. I'm heading out there next week on business and then the following week we'll both be out there looking for a property that suites us. My budget isn't extreme ($350 - $400K) but I think that should be enough for a starter home. OrcuttRes, SoCalif - any areas in particular?

Thanks!

[nevergoingback]

Originally Posted by AeroWings1

Well- After going through this thread and several others like it my Fiancée and I have decided to move out to the Orcutt area as well. I have a corporate sales job that covers all of California and Oregon with most of the business centered around the LA Basin. - So I was looking for an area with natural beauty that really appeals to the outdoor enthusiast as well as an area with an airport (to commute in and out of LA easily). As we enjoy hiking, mtn. biking, kayaking, beach combing, camping - I think this looks like a great area in terms of locale. We also adore good wine......

So, with that in mind, I'd like to get some suggestions on neighborhoods we should focus on. I'm heading out there next week on business and then the following week we'll both be out there looking for a property that suites us. My budget isn't extreme ($350 - $400K) but I think that should be enough for a starter home. OrcuttRes, SoCalif - any areas in particular?

Thanks!

Anywhere south of lets say Santa Maria Way is pretty nice, I like the area south of Foster Road. Near Pine Grove or Patterson road school is where I grew up and is where I would live with your budget.

[AeroWings1]

...Then that's where I'll start looking. Thanks.

[jcbn5225]

In reply to candmforever -- (Sorry, I got my reply in the wrong spot I guess) We are also USAF in WY. We were at VAFB for 4 years and loved it, although there were some things that we didn't like. I have been homesick for the temperate weather, the beaches, the rivers, the wine country, and the close proximity to both SLO and Santa Barbara. The cost of living is a difficulty, and sometimes the base feels a bit remote, but if you have a little motivation, you can get up and go and find something great to do. Having kids in WY, I long for the ability to just get outside and go to the playground - the weather is so severe here. At VAFB, you can go to the playground or just take a walk every day of the year if you want to. We also miss The Hitching Post in Buellton, world- famous steaks, and also Chef Rick's in Orcutt - the best food anywhere in my opinion, although I don't know if he is still there. We are thinking of trying to get back there for our last base, but we may live on base again due to the cost of housing there. Also, the base elementary school is quite good, as are Vandenberg middle school, and Cabrillo High School. Cabrillo has a beautiful aquarium that the students run. I think they do very well, although I can't tell you about Orcutt or Santa Maria schools. I can give you more details about VAFB if you're interested.

[Greenchili]

Originally Posted by jcbn5225

In reply to candmforever -- (Sorry, I got my reply in the wrong spot I guess) We are also USAF in WY. We were at VAFB for 4 years and loved it, although there were some things that we didn't like. I have been homesick for the temperate weather, the beaches, the rivers, the wine country, and the close proximity to both SLO and Santa Barbara. The cost of living is a difficulty, and sometimes the base feels a bit remote, but if you have a little motivation, you can get up and go and find something great to do. Having kids in WY, I long for the ability to just get outside and go to the playground - the weather is so severe here. At VAFB, you can go to the playground or just take a walk every day of the year if you want to. We also miss The Hitching Post in Buellton, world- famous steaks, and also Chef Rick's in Orcutt - the best food anywhere in my opinion, although I don't know if he is still there. We are thinking of trying to get back there for our last base, but we may live on base again due to the cost of housing there. Also, the base elementary school is quite good, as are Vandenberg middle school, and Cabrillo High School. Cabrillo has a beautiful aquarium that the students run. I think they do very well, although I can't tell you about Orcutt or Santa Maria schools. I can give you more details about VAFB if you're interested.

Prices are dropping on housing....just a thought


Greenchili

[jcbn5225]

Originally Posted by Greenchili

Prices are dropping on housing....just a thought


Greenchili

Thanks! We won't rule out buying, then.

[candmforever]

Originally Posted by jcbn5225

In reply to candmforever -- (Sorry, I got my reply in the wrong spot I guess) We are also USAF in WY. We were at VAFB for 4 years and loved it, although there were some things that we didn't like. I have been homesick for the temperate weather, the beaches, the rivers, the wine country, and the close proximity to both SLO and Santa Barbara. The cost of living is a difficulty, and sometimes the base feels a bit remote, but if you have a little motivation, you can get up and go and find something great to do. Having kids in WY, I long for the ability to just get outside and go to the playground - the weather is so severe here. At VAFB, you can go to the playground or just take a walk every day of the year if you want to. We also miss The Hitching Post in Buellton, world- famous steaks, and also Chef Rick's in Orcutt - the best food anywhere in my opinion, although I don't know if he is still there. We are thinking of trying to get back there for our last base, but we may live on base again due to the cost of housing there. Also, the base elementary school is quite good, as are Vandenberg middle school, and Cabrillo High School. Cabrillo has a beautiful aquarium that the students run. I think they do very well, although I can't tell you about Orcutt or Santa Maria schools. I can give you more details about VAFB if you're interested.

Thanks for your perspective. We agree, we are excited to be able to go outside for long periods of time if we want. We've had a ball here in WY but it's just time for a nicer climate. My husband went out for a weekend to check out housing and tomorrow we are putting an offer in on a house that sold for 545,000 two years ago. It is listed at 299,999 now and our Realtor thinks 275,000 is a reasonable offer. So...as of now, buying a house is within our reach. What I don't get is why everyone raves about Orcutt. THat was where we really wanted to end up but after going out, DH says that all of the homes are so old in that part of town BUT they cost so much more. I know there are other nice things about living on that side of town, but we have to consider housing costs too and we have chosen a VERY nice house in the extreme north western side of SM in a gated community that would probably cost at LEAST 100,000 more in Orcutt. It will extend his driving time in the mornings, but we're ok with that.

I'm just glad that we got WY first and are going to Vandenburg next. Oh and we are looking into a Charter school in SM that has a "Home Study" program where the kids go see a teacher once a week for instruction and assignments. The work goes home and they are home schooled, then they return to the teacher on the assigned day the next week with the completed assignments. They are given tests weekly and must pass all of the testing requirements that the kids in public school must pass. There was NO WAY I was putting the kids into public school there. I have ENOUGH complaints about their schooling here in WY. I knew it would be so much worse in every way in Cali.