What's the truth about Santa Maria - Orcutt? (Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo: mortgage, insurance)

[nevergoingback]

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.

BTW, the REAL Hitching Post is in Casmalia, They say the oak fire has been burning for 75 years straight. The Hitching Post 2 is in Buellton and not near as good IMO.
Hitching Post in Casmalia is THE best Steak House Ive ever been to. I have been to more than a few 4-5 star steakhouse and except for the atmosphere (loud cowboy) Hitching post is the best!!

[semsjm]

Originally Posted by jcbn5225

..and also Chef Rick's in Orcutt - the best food anywhere in my opinion, although I don't know if he is still there.

It's still there and it is very good.

[Klassyhk]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

I suggest you actually read what I wrote. Oh, and they don't like turtlenecks, berets and little beards in Santa Maria, you will need Wranglers, a huge belt buckle, snap button shirts and a real hat. And a Ford F250.

Wow, this helps me a lot. I was considering applying for a job position that I was made aware of but reading your comments I get the feeling that I would see things the exact way that you do. The reason I even considered SM in the first place was because I thought it would be close to the beach, mountains nearby, and have an artsy progressive community. So Wranglers jean, huge belt buckles, and a F250 comes standard?? Very familiar with places where these are the "local" types. Been there done that. In that case, Santa Maria, CA is NOT the place for me.

[the city]

Santa Maria, Orcutt, Guadalupe, Los Olivos, and Nipomo aren't artsy towns. but santa maria is 5-10 minutes from the beach.

santa barbara, san luis obispo, or monterey are the cities your looking for.

[Greenchili]

Originally Posted by Klassyhk

Wow, this helps me a lot. I was considering applying for a job position that I was made aware of but reading your comments I get the feeling that I would see things the exact way that you do. The reason I even considered SM in the first place was because I thought it would be close to the beach, mountains nearby, and have an artsy progressive community. So Wranglers jean, huge belt buckles, and a F250 comes standard?? Very familiar with places where these are the "local" types. Been there done that. In that case, Santa Maria, CA is NOT the place for me.

Whew,thats a relief!

Greenchili

[Klassyhk]

Originally Posted by the city

Santa Maria, Orcutt, Guadalupe, Los Olivos, and Nipomo aren't artsy towns. but santa maria is 5-10 minutes from the beach.

santa barbara, san luis obispo, or monterey are the cities your looking for.

Ok, thanks. So far haven't seen any positions available in my field open in those areas but I'll keep these in mind. As far as Santa Barbara, I'm educated but in the arts field (i.e: working class salary), so I got the feeling from others in Calif that SB is for rich or wealthy folks. Were they exaggerating? Didn't sound like an average person like myself can afford to live there.

[Klassyhk]

Originally Posted by Greenchili

Whew,thats a relief!

Greenchili

Lol, glad I made your day. Don't worry you won't have to swerve your big pickup to narrowly avoid hitting me as I attempt to approach my car in the bastion of great shopping these types of areas offer (Walmart, the mall, Family Dollar) and fine dining: Sonic, Arby's, Burger King, Taco/Burrito-R-us restaurants.

[Greenchili]

Originally Posted by Klassyhk

Lol, glad I made your day. Don't worry you won't have to swerve your big pickup to narrowly avoid hitting me as I attempt to approach my car in the bastion of great shopping these types of areas offer (Walmart, the mall, Family Dollar) and fine dining: Sonic, Arby's, Burger King, Taco/Burrito-R-us restaurants.

Honda CRV here.

[the city]

What r u talking about Sonic's for? Sonic is only in the Central Valley right now. They have chained out to southern or northern or coast california yet.

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by SantaMaria07

....There are good schools here....And also about education... We have great teachers here. It all depends on the student, the envoirnment is great. I graduated high school with a 4.0 and was excepted to some good colleges...

From what I have found on the internet, the schools in Santa Maria are performing very badly. Orcutt schools, on the other hand, are doing very well.

California School Performance Maps