Life in Lompoc (San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Monterey: rental, buying a home, buying)
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I know a few people who drive from Lompoc to Santa Barbara to work. And maybe there's more than I know. But VAFB is right there, you don't have to drive 60 miles away to find a job!
USAJOBS - (http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=us-ca-vandenberg+afb&re=0&sort=rv&lid=17387&FedEmp=N&vw= d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&tm=&rad=&zip=&x=34&y=0 - broken link)
I am not surprised that housing prices have come back down. You'd have a huge gas bill from the commute to a job in Santa Barbara 60 miles away in order to afford a new house in this town. Good paying jobs here are few and far between, and the condition of the town is not commensurate with the housing prices. There's a reason Lompoc's housing is the lowest priced on the central coast...
I like the new housing development they started downwind and right across the street from the WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. Who in their right mind would want to buy one of those houses and smell human waste all day? All the new stores that open up are dollar discount stores or check cashing stores. The Hilton's is being built over the site of the old Ford dealership that went out of business and got demolished. I can't imagine someone paying to stay at a Hilton in Lompoc. Down town business can't stay open for longer than 6 months, and when they're gone, some vandals will smash the store front windows. VV and tehand Mesa Oaks don't count as Lompoc. This place has its charms, but you're definitley looking at it through rose-colored binoculars. I've lived here for 5 years, and, except for the shrinking flower fields, I can't say it's been declining, it's just always been a dump. I'm glad I'm leaving in a month!
We bought in Briar Creek, The Gardens and NEVER smell the water
treatment plant. The Courtyards might smell it, but we never do. We
are too far south,and the winds mostly blows west. We are almost up
to North Ave. Lompoc isnt perfect but there are certainly worse places
to live. Sorry you hate it here.
I guess everyone's entitled to their opinion.... I left Lompock 12 years ago and my wife and I have missed it ever since. We keep telling ourselves we can't go back, blah, blah, blah but evertime we do for a visit, we see the place really hasn't changed and want to move back home as much as ever.
As luck would have it, my realtor called the other day and we're buying a house in Vandenberg Village tomorrow (as a matter of fact). Looking forward to picking up where we left off.
Let's face it, Lompoc has always been a little out of place for the central coast. It's gained a little respectability with the wine industry but it's still more like a misplaced midwest town. I think that's why we like it. Plenty to do in the area and our quiet, peaceful little neighborhood to retreat to. Life will be good (again) in Lompoc!
I guess everyone's entitled to their opinion.... I left Lompock 12 years ago and my wife and I have missed it ever since. We keep telling ourselves we can't go back, blah, blah, blah but evertime we do for a visit, we see the place really hasn't changed and want to move back home as much as ever.
As luck would have it, my realtor called the other day and we're buying a house in Vandenberg Village tomorrow (as a matter of fact). Looking forward to picking up where we left off.
Let's face it, Lompoc has always been a little out of place for the central coast. It's gained a little respectability with the wine industry but it's still more like a misplaced midwest town. I think that's why we like it. Plenty to do in the area and our quiet, peaceful little neighborhood to retreat to. Life will be good (again) in Lompoc!
Congratulations! I bet your getting a good price! Welcome back!
I know a few people who drive from Lompoc to Santa Barbara to work. And maybe there's more than I know. But VAFB is right there, you don't have to drive 60 miles away to find a job!
USAJOBS - (http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=us-ca-vandenberg+afb&re=0&sort=rv&lid=17387&FedEmp=N&vw= d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&tm=&rad=&zip=&x=34&y=0 - broken link)
There are more. There are also several bus loads of people who ride the Clean Breeze (sp?) down to SB. Yes, VAFB is right here. I work there. I'd be hesitant to get too optimistic about the job advertisements at USA jobs, as they are for anticipated job openings throughout the year, and they pay on the lower end of the advertised salary range. The base has a hard time hiring civilian gov't employees because housing prices scare them away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenchili
We bought in Briar Creek, The Gardens and NEVER smell the water
treatment plant. The Courtyards might smell it, but we never do. We
are too far south,and the winds mostly blows west. We are almost up
to North Ave. Lompoc isnt perfect but there are certainly worse places
to live. Sorry you hate it here.
Greenchili
I don't hate it here... anymore. After living in town for 3 yrs and on base for another 2, I've come to appreciate the town for what it is and what it is not. I moved here from Atlanta, Ga. I shouldn't have come here assuming I could start building a life in this town and that the people would be as friendly they were back home. There is nothing here for me and the homeless folks in Atlanta's ghettos were more friendly than the average Lompocan you pass on the street.
I'm glad you can't smell the treatment plant. I used to run and bike along Central Ave., and when the wind was blowing... WHEW!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregJ
As luck would have it, my realtor called the other day and we're buying a house in Vandenberg Village tomorrow (as a matter of fact). Looking forward to picking up where we left off.
Let's face it, Lompoc has always been a little out of place for the central coast. It's gained a little respectability with the wine industry but it's still more like a misplaced midwest town. I think that's why we like it. Plenty to do in the area and our quiet, peaceful little neighborhood to retreat to. Life will be good (again) in Lompoc!
Vandenberg Village doesn't count! That's like living in Aurora Hills and saying you live in Detroit. In order to be able to say you live in Lompoc, you have to experience the car stereos with bass so loud that it shakes your house, the 4 police cars coming to take your screaming neighbors away before they kill each other, the motorcycles that are so loud that they shake your house, the ambulance sirens that are taking another meth junkie to the hospital, cars parked in lawns, and barking dogs on a daily and nightly basis.
EDIT - Forgot to mention the occasional gun shots.
I would like Lompoc for those reasons you listed if I could afford to isolate myself from the bad stuff. But I can't yet.
Last edited by Get out of my way; 08-23-2008 at 11:45 PM..
OK, I'm not overly familiar with the job market in Lompoc to be honest, I do live an 1 1/2 hrs. north. I've always assumed that VAFB and the federal prison in Lompoc provided the bulk of employment for Lompoc residents. Not that I'm surprised that people have to go SB for work, but if you look at the USAjobs website it looks like there are a ton of job openings from a wide range that pay pretty good. I guess it's a bit misleading? Thanks for the clarification.
There are more. There are also several bus loads of people who ride the Clean Breeze (sp?) down to SB. Yes, VAFB is right here. I work there. I'd be hesitant to get too optimistic about the job advertisements at USA jobs, as they are for anticipated job openings throughout the year, and they pay on the lower end of the advertised salary range. The base has a hard time hiring civilian gov't employees because housing prices scare them away.
I don't hate it here... anymore. After living in town for 3 yrs and on base for another 2, I've come to appreciate the town for what it is and what it is not. I moved here from Atlanta, Ga. I shouldn't have come here assuming I could start building a life in this town and that the people would be as friendly they were back home. There is nothing here for me and the homeless folks in Atlanta's ghettos were more friendly than the average Lompocan you pass on the street.
I'm glad you can't smell the treatment plant. I used to run and bike along Central Ave., and when the wind was blowing... WHEW!!
Vandenberg Village doesn't count! That's like living in Aurora Hills and saying you live in Detroit. In order to be able to say you live in Lompoc, you have to experience the car stereos with bass so loud that it shakes your house, the 4 police cars coming to take your screaming neighbors away before they kill each other, the motorcycles that are so loud that they shake your house, the ambulance sirens that are taking another meth junkie to the hospital, cars parked in lawns, and barking dogs on a daily and nightly basis.
EDIT - Forgot to mention the occasional gun shots.
I would like Lompoc for those reasons you listed if I could afford to isolate myself from the bad stuff. But I can't yet.
Yes, you CAN smell it right along Central. Thats a no brainer. Our house
is almost backed up to North ave. The back entrance of Briar Creek. And dont
kid yourself, Vandenburg Village has its problems. It just seems idyllic.
I am looking at moveing to the Santa Barbara County area ... I would like to be no move then a 30 minute commute from VAFB. I would be moving to the area with my 5 kids and our pets. I will be looking for a rental there that is pet friendly, but also in a good area. My husband works for Boeing and will be staying behind until he can gain a transfer to the Boeing there on VAFB. We are hoping that will be soon... but unless someone knows of a Emergency type transfer within Boeing that we havnt heard of, then we will have to wait...
My question is this, becuase my husband is the bread winner and I am a stay home mom will I have trouble getting into a rental there without him signing the lease... even if I have the move in costs for the rental itself?
Also ... I would like to look into entry level positions that are on base that I could try my hand at. I have never done any type of work other then being a Mom, but I think that I would like to look into what may be open on base... If anyone knows of work on base for entry levels like myself... please let me know.
Also if anyone could tell me of any rentals in the area and or its surroundings ... that are no more then $2000 a month, but preferably less then $1500 a month... Please let me know that as well.
OK, I'm not overly familiar with the job market in Lompoc to be honest, I do live an 1 1/2 hrs. north. I've always assumed that VAFB and the federal prison in Lompoc provided the bulk of employment for Lompoc residents. Not that I'm surprised that people have to go SB for work, but if you look at the USAjobs website it looks like there are a ton of job openings from a wide range that pay pretty good. I guess it's a bit misleading? Thanks for the clarification.
Yeah, main employment source is mostly gov't jobs on every level from federal (including prison guards and defense contractors) down to city. The other main sources of employment are nursing and the agricultural industry.
I think the area is a little lacking in support towards the base, considering how much it props up the local economy.
The USA jobs website is for recruiting people, the more they pump themselves up, the larger the labor pool they can draw from. I wouldn't consider it as misleading, just something to be regarded with a grain of salt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenchili
Yes, you CAN smell it right along Central. Thats a no brainer. Our house
is almost backed up to North ave. The back entrance of Briar Creek. And dont
kid yourself, Vandenburg Village has its problems. It just seems idyllic.
Greenchili
Oh yeah, I forgot that there's more to VV than the golf course. Must have gotten selective amnesia again.
I am looking at moveing to the Santa Barbara County area ... I would like to be no move then a 30 minute commute from VAFB. I would be moving to the area with my 5 kids and our pets. I will be looking for a rental there that is pet friendly, but also in a good area. My husband works for Boeing and will be staying behind until he can gain a transfer to the Boeing there on VAFB. We are hoping that will be soon... but unless someone knows of a Emergency type transfer within Boeing that we havnt heard of, then we will have to wait...
My question is this, becuase my husband is the bread winner and I am a stay home mom will I have trouble getting into a rental there without him signing the lease... even if I have the move in costs for the rental itself?
Also ... I would like to look into entry level positions that are on base that I could try my hand at. I have never done any type of work other then being a Mom, but I think that I would like to look into what may be open on base... If anyone knows of work on base for entry levels like myself... please let me know.
Also if anyone could tell me of any rentals in the area and or its surroundings ... that are no more then $2000 a month, but preferably less then $1500 a month... Please let me know that as well.
I'm not a real estate agent, but based on my personal renting experience, even if you have enough for the security deposit and first month's rent, the landlord will want proof that you can pay the rent on a consistent basis, which would mean a copy of a pay stub from your job. So I would think your husband will have to co-sign the lease.
You should be able to find a an entry level job on base with no problem. Same goes for finding a house in a decent neighborhood in Lompoc or Santa Maria with that price range.
Where are you coming from and why so urgent to move here?
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