Santa Barbara, Santa Maria or San Luis Obispo? (Fresno, Bakersfield: mortgage, homes)

[greatbasinguide]

fortunately I do not have to figure out a mate these days,, got one who is pretty bright etc. I was hoping to get some feed back on opinions of South SLO,, family and I are tired of freezing,,, so we are planning now to relocate to Arroyo Grande,, but I was curious what other people thought of it.

[fairweathergolfer]

I may be moving to SB earlier then I thought. What areas are best (besides Montecito) in SB? What areas are mediocore and what is NO WAY! Also can a woman run down on the beach or the nearby sidewalks safely there around 5 AM or is this considered unsafe? Is running downtown about the same time not a good idea? Any thoughts and experience would be of major assistance. I've noticed quite a few homes for sale down by Cliff Drive up from the water. Is this area rowdy or unsafe? Or fairly stable?

[enlightenme]

Cliff Drive is called "The Mesa" and is near Santa Barbara Community college, so you will have some college kids around. But, it isn't too rowdy. It has hard to say about where to run. There aren't bad neighborhoods like LA, but there are some homeless people and wannabe gang members. The homeless are mainly on State St. and near the beach. The "homie" type of people are in neighborhoods where you won't be running.

[deeptrance]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

I was hoping to get some feed back on opinions of South SLO,, family and I are tired of freezing,,, so we are planning now to relocate to Arroyo Grande,, but I was curious what other people thought of it.

Wow, I get to give YOU info for a change!

Arroyo Grande is a delightful area IF you don't like warm weather. It rarely gets below 38 but rarely gets above 75. Extremely mild, extremely maritime, and a whole lotta cold fog in spring and summer. However, with the variation in topography you can find microclimates where it's warmer by going up the canyons or hills or a slightly inland valley. Sometimes the fog just hugs the coast.

The air is almost always clean because of the nearly constant onshore breeze.

You're barely over an hour from Santa Barbara (tons of cultural events etc.) and minutes from SLO, a half hour south of the fantastic wine country around Paso Robles, a half hour north of the equally noteworthy wine country of the Los Olivos area, not far from incredible hiking trails in the San Rafael wilderness and other areas, an hour south of the lower Big Sur coast --- what's not to like?

Plus, they have a Trader Joe's. Need I say more?

[greatbasinguide]

Thanks,, that is good info.. nothing to dislike? by the way, I do not care for hot weather, which is one reason I live at 6,000 ft.

[deeptrance]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

...nothing to dislike?

Well, of course there are things to dislike as in any place. But I think they're more a matter of personal taste in an area like AG. For example, I don't happen to like the vegetation (or lack thereof.) I'm a tree fanatic so I prefer the more forested towns that tend to be in warmer places where people want shade trees. Also, I don't like all that faux-Spanish architecture that proliferates in the fast-growing areas of So Cal. And then there's the cost of living --- it's expensive to buy a house there, but you're pretty much guaranteed to see the value of your property go up over time because it's still an under-valued area relative to its potential as a California coastal community.

As for the weather in A.G., I don't like it. But look where I live...

[fairweathergolfer]

enlightenme posted:

Cliff Drive is called "The Mesa" and is near Santa Barbara Community college, so you will have some college kids around. But, it isn't too rowdy. It has hard to say about where to run. There aren't bad neighborhoods like LA, but there are some homeless people and wannabe gang members. The homeless are mainly on State St. and near the beach. The "homie" type of people are in neighborhoods where you won't be running.

Thanks! Your posts have been very helpful.

[Des_Demona]

I went to Santa Barbara this weekend just to check it out because I've only been there once before. It was beautiful!! I drove around through the neighborhoods quite a bit and also walked around and shopped. SB is just gorgeous! I had never realized before... I guess that's why it's so expensive. And those houses that have the fancy gates and private roads as their driveways?? Wow... There were a lot of people jogging (women mostly jogging) and riding bikes (men mostly riding the bikes) and it was very lively in the downtown area and really quiet and foggy and cool up in the hills with the bigger houses. There was also a really rundown looking area with a lot of shabby apartments and lots of latinos w/ shopping carts. That was at the base of the hilly area not sure exactly where it was though. Anyway, I was really impressed with SB. It is so much nicer than anything south of it. I loved how much nature was incorporated into the area, lots of trees and vegitation. It was just very green and pretty in the housing areas. The downtown is lively and full of people (mostly rich people) quite a few homeless begging for money. If I had the money to live in SB I definitely would. Now I'm feeling all whistful...

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by Des_Demona

There was also a really rundown looking area ... at the base of the hilly area not sure exactly where.... Anyway, I was really impressed with SB. It is so much nicer than anything south of it.

The shabby area next to the hill could have been either the Lower East Side (Milpas Street) or the West Side (San Andreas Street). Don't be fooled. Those areas are not so good. There is an avid and active gang problem in Santa Barbara and the rivalries between east and west are deadly.

Areas south: Some would take exception to your statement about this. Carpinteria is a beautiful town. Ventura County may not have the "glamour" of Santa Barbara, but then again, VC is not stigmatized by having a name to live up to. Points south do have just as nice of a climate -- even better because SB is in the lee of the prevaling ocean breezes and gets quite muggy and sticky on hot days. Points south, especially south of the County line, are far more affordable, too. (So, what's in a name? Twice the housing cost.)

[fairweathergolfer]

Des Demona posted:

I went to Santa Barbara this weekend just to check it out because I've only been there once before. It was beautiful!! I drove around through the neighborhoods quite a bit and also walked around and shopped. SB is just gorgeous! I had never realized before... I guess that's why it's so expensive. And those houses that have the fancy gates and private roads as their driveways?? Wow... There were a lot of people jogging (women mostly jogging) and riding bikes (men mostly riding the bikes) and it was very lively in the downtown area and really quiet and foggy and cool up in the hills with the bigger houses. There was also a really rundown looking area with a lot of shabby apartments and lots of latinos w/ shopping carts. That was at the base of the hilly area not sure exactly where it was though. Anyway, I was really impressed with SB. It is so much nicer than anything south of it. I loved how much nature was incorporated into the area, lots of trees and vegitation. It was just very green and pretty in the housing areas. The downtown is lively and full of people (mostly rich people) quite a few homeless begging for money. If I had the money to live in SB I definitely would. Now I'm feeling all whistful...

I hear you. This place has some of the energy of Santa Monica (without the great musicians) and for a small city/large town not connected to a major metropolitan area I think it is optimal. I agree about it being a great place to live. I just wish they had a variety of pricing so all types (mainly the middle class), could move there. It is dull when only the rich hang out with the rich. Especially in America where many of the rich have once been poor themselves and have risen up. They know what they are missing hanging out with all the same income bracket.

I am looking in SB, but must admit it is shocking what we will get for our money if we do buy there-obviously not in a good way. I have decided one really has to WANT to live in SB to move there and give up the other wonderful homes they could spend their millions on elsewhere.

I believe SB has direct flights from Portland, so with the new money you will be saving you can visit anytime you feel like splurging and you won't have to fight the traffic on the 101 driving home. I still think areas of Portland would be comparable, especially with the much better home. But yeah, SB is a distinctly beautiful place.