What's the truth about Santa Maria - Orcutt? (Los Angeles, San Diego: rent, how much)

[Greenchili]

Originally Posted by prkchp58

S.M. used to be a wonderful place to live. I have been here since 1968. Left for a little while, could not wait to get back. I have to say I was a little shocked. some areas that used to be nice now look like run down, trashed, slums. I'm sorry but, they are all on the west side with majority population being Mexican. I know I'm going to get hate mail for that!! Sorry, am only speaking of what I see. Like the person before stated, "I'm not against immigration when done legally.".And when they conform to our lifestyle. Which does not include, urinatin in public,throwing used t.p. o floor,dirty diapers on sidewalks, thinking that white women are hookers, refusing to learn english, and getting everything free so they can send thier $ to Mexico. I better stop here!!

Totally agree!!!

Greenchili

[corndog67]

So I go to the pharmacy the other day for my usual monthly Prescription. There are probably 8 people in line, I'm the only one that speaks English, and for some reason or another, I am the only one that had to pay for anything.

Any conclusions that I should not jump to?

[carp killer]

Originally Posted by corndog67

So I go to the pharmacy the other day for my usual monthly Prescription. There are probably 8 people in line, I'm the only one that speaks English, and for some reason or another, I am the only one that had to pay for anything.

Any conclusions that I should not jump to?

You just witnessed one of the major reasons why we are in this state budget deficit.

[brucey69]

I have lived in Orcutt for about 5 years now, before that I was living in Santa Barbara...
To be honest, the Santa Maria area is a crappy place to live. The mall is gross and half empty, there are attractions better then BOOMERS, the movie theater is soo bad, the best resturant in town is In N Out. It's filled with lower class and uneducated people, which makes for a ton of violence and little gangs. The scenery is so so so sad, expesically coming from SB, all you see is farms or big boxy buildings, its kind of like living in the crappy part of a huge metro, exept there's no where to good to go....

There are, however, a few improvements I've seen.
Trader Joes has come in, thats huge plus over shopping at Foods Co for me. The new library is pretty decent and adds a lot to the city. And the Frisbee golf course here is waay better then the one down in Santa Barbara.

But really, I wouldn't recommend moving here if you are in the ages of 18-30. I can't get over how damn boring this place is. The main problem (same goes for Lompoc aswell) is that it's pretty close to the ocean, but the way the city is set up, it takes about 20-30 mins to get there the beach. So you end up getting a city with the crappy weather effects of the marine layer (atleast compared to SB) with no beach.

Bottom line is: No real attractions, No Night Life, No good restaurants, half the city smells like crap, (literally the smell of crap coming for the farms) pretty high crime rate, mediocre schools... the list goes on.

There is hope for the city, but being a young person (18) this city really sucks, if you have any children, this really isn't the best place to raise them. But, if you are in the 45+ range, you'll find the areas of Orcutt quite nice, there is no noise and most people keep there lawns clean.

[punilux]

Id give this review 4 Berets up and 2 F250s down.

[smilinpretty]

I considered moving to Lompoc and Santa Maria area and I did drive around Lompoc and I found it to be sorta on the run down side but all in all, it was relatively a nice area with allot of mix. I love the fresh air and the surrounding beauty of the hills and the proximity of it, not far from Pismo Beach or Santa Barbara.

For the time being, going to stay kept in Northern Arizona with cost of living much less, all the great shopping one needs, less traffic.

[Den Mathias]

For the time being, going to stay kept in Northern Arizona with cost of living much less, all the great shopping one needs, less traffic. [/quote]

Less traffic sounds good! What do you call your part of Heaven?

[Greenchili]

Originally Posted by smilinpretty

I considered moving to Lompoc and Santa Maria area and I did drive around Lompoc and I found it to be sorta on the run down side but all in all, it was relatively a nice area with allot of mix. I love the fresh air and the surrounding beauty of the hills and the proximity of it, not far from Pismo Beach or Santa Barbara.

For the time being, going to stay kept in Northern Arizona with cost of living much less, all the great shopping one needs, less traffic.

There is no traffic to speak of in Lompoc....honestly?


Greenchili

[GSleader]

I think this is a great service for folks looking to move here. I grew up in Atascadero and lived in all of the beach towns from Avila, Pismo, Los Osos, Morro Bay, AG, ect... . My husband was born in San Luis Obispo and we lived there also for a while. I have moved quite a bit in my life from Baja, Mexico, San Diego and Los Angeles areas. I'd like to think I have an open mind, so here is my two cents on Orcutt. We live in the newer area for about twelve years. Last night the stereo was stolen out of my truck. Another truck was broken into and stripped just up the street. I still believe our area is a good, safe, affordable place to live and the Orcutt school systems are great. We have seen people driving through that obviously don't belong here. At the moment, they seem to be bored "kids". I believe these petty crimes will escalate as the population grows like bunnies. One of our complaints about this area is that there is nothing to do for kids. Movies can get monotinous and expensive. You have to make the $100,000 a year like someone suggested so that you can afford to keep YOUR kids busy. There are lots of programs and events, but, you have to keep the kids busy or they will get into trouble, I think. Boredom is a problem here, so you have to get creative. There are lots of things to do, but, sometimes just trying to afford to live here leaves no extra time to keep your kids close and involved. It's definately a challenge, but, not impossible. I like to go to Solvang,San Luis Obispo and even Pismo Beach for clothes shopping. We do have a Wal Mart and Target, but, after a while, you just need a change of scenery. We go to Lake Cachuma. Lake San Antonio, and Lopez Lake for family fun. Lopez has water slides, Cachuma has horse back riding and Naciemento and Antonio are great to get into some hot weather that we don't see here. It does get foggy, but, it's the artic wind that will drive you inside. For those looking to escape the heat, you'll love it. And if you decide you want heat, in an hour you'll be over the grade in Atascadero and there is a little lake and zoo and further up is Paso Robles with a new waterpark. It's definately not even my fifth choice of places to live, but, it is not even close to the worst places I've lived. It' just like any American city; nice down one street, dumpy down another. Orcutt is the last of the lower crime, good schools and reasonable price city around in a fifty mile radius. Love your house, then go visit Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. I like the very southern part of Orcutt. Good luck to all who wander here, but, rest assured, it is not a BAD place to live, it's just not the BEST either, but, really where is? Bad people have cars and they can drive to any neighborhood.

[GSleader]

My husband was a mail carrier for 11 years in Santa Maria. The NW is bad news. Some areas in Santa Maria are still okay, but, if you have kids, they need to be in an Orcutt school. Ask a mail carrier. They see more than they want to know.