Paso Robles area (Bakersfield, Visalia, San Luis Obispo: real estate, houses, buy)

[BobsGL1800]

There is a Gottschalks store in SLO. To me, its the same as Macy's.

[the city]

Originally Posted by BobsGL1800

There is a Gottschalks store in SLO. To me, its the same as Macy's.

Well, they are different. Macy's has more sales, and more clothes for certain seasons. Gottschalks has less stores, and in my opinion just offers more services.

[MWJamesLDS]

people keep talking about how hot it is in Atascadero and Paso during the summer, but I'm assuming its during the day? How much does it cool down at night in July/August? About what time is the hottest during the day? Does it start cooling down once the sun goes down? Currently I'm in Bakersfield, grew up in Visalia. During the summer it hits well over a hundred during the day and the killer is it some times doesn't drop below 80 at night! Is it different there? Thanks for anyone who knows!

[CA central coast]

It's different. I've lived in Morro Bay and Los Osos all my life, where the summers are cool. I don't know all the specifics to your questions. I do have a lot of relatives who live in Paso and Atascadero, so I've spent plenty of time there. Atascadero doesn't get as hot as Paso, generally. I think Atascadero has more coastal marine influence on its weather. It may get in the 90's and low 100's and Paso into the high 90's and 100's, sometimes 110-115 range. At times, not a lot. I believe this is July/Aug. Isn't that the hot time of the year? Here though, it'll cool down at night. Even get cold. The California Mid-State Fair is in Paso Robles during the summer. THere have been times that I can remember being at the fair where it'll be over 100 during the day. I'll go to one of the concerts at night and if I didn't have a jacket, I'd freeze. Paso Robles/San Miguel can get hot at times during the summer. I don't think Atascadero should be lumped together with Paso as far as summer heat goes. It can get warm, but it's only 20 minutes to the ocean. Atascadero may be getting a bit of a bad rap as far as it being unbearable summer heat there.

[the city]

2020 San Luis Obispo Area:

San Luis Obispo (50,000 population)
1)San Luis Obispo Downtown (upscale clothing retailers, good local resturaunts, etc.)
2)The Grad (night club)
3)Movie Experience 7 (seven screen upscale movie cinema)
4)San Luis Obispo Marketplace (discount mall with Target, Lowe's, Macy's, Sport Chalet, Larkspur Hotel, 6 resturaunt food court, Tilly's, Rite-Aid, Lane Bryant, Pier 1 Imports)
5) Motionz Laser Tag, could also be Lazer Star from Bill Bird's area or Funworks from Modesto area (also going to be in discount mall)
6) Sunset Drive-In Theater (near discount mall)

Pismo Beach (10,000)
1) Pismo Prime Outlets (upscale clothing retailers outlet mall)
2) Pismo Dunes, beach, and pier

(area has average 60s-80s degree weather, many college students, retirees, and families live in south county, San Luis Obispo also has an airport and Edna Valley winery region, area is a bit pricey to live, suburban, low crime and traffic)

Paso Robles (40,000 population)
1) The Ravine water park *only in Summer*
2) Midstate Fair *12 days in Summer*
3) Paso Bowl (biggest bowling alley in area w/ family fun center)
4) JC Paintball Field
5) MVP Batting Cages
6) Skate-Mor rollerskate rink

Atascadero (30,000 population)
1) Mission Oaks at the Annex (Super Wal-Mart shopping strip mall)
2) Charles Paddock Zoo

(area has more families, and then some more retirees, rural area, 90s and 100s degree weather in Summer, average is low 80s, still some good winerys in area, okay downtown in Paso Robles, cheap homes, low crime and traffic)

[truckzter]

Originally Posted by MWJamesLDS

people keep talking about how hot it is in Atascadero and Paso during the summer, but I'm assuming its during the day? How much does it cool down at night in July/August? About what time is the hottest during the day? Does it start cooling down once the sun goes down? Currently I'm in Bakersfield, grew up in Visalia. During the summer it hits well over a hundred during the day and the killer is it some times doesn't drop below 80 at night! Is it different there? Thanks for anyone who knows!

I live in Paso (since 1991), and, yes, when it is 100+ during the day, and the winds come to the Fair, the temp drops, and it feels COLD. But I live on the West Side (residential), and trees/houses typically prevent too much wind. So oftentimes when the day is 100+, it will be in the 80s even at 11pm. There have been a *few* times the weather has been in the 90s at night. But, only on rare occasions, and the temp drops around midnight/early morning. Incidentally, the last few years haven't been as warm, so maybe global *cooling* is to blame.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by marathonali

I lived in Paso Robles in 96-97 and I loved it! I worked at Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton and my husband was stationed at Camp Roberts. And when we weren't working, we were always on the go. In my opinion, there was always something to do, somewhere to go, even if we had to drive a little ways to SLO or the coast.

I remember eating at some really great places. Of course, I can't remember their names right now - one was a church that had been converted into a restaurant and one was a steakhouse in a building that looked "old west" (it may have been in Atascedero).

I didn't have kids at the time, but where we lived seems like it would have been perfect for a family with kids. Walking distance to the schools.

.Great farmer's market in downtown too.

That was over 10 years ago, so maybe things have changed, growth has happened. But I have very fond memories of Paso Robles and the surrounding areas.

The steakhouse you are referring to is probably A.J. Spurs in Templeton.

[shouldbeworking]

Originally Posted by MWJamesLDS

people keep talking about how hot it is in Atascadero and Paso during the summer, but I'm assuming its during the day? How much does it cool down at night in July/August? About what time is the hottest during the day? Does it start cooling down once the sun goes down? Currently I'm in Bakersfield, grew up in Visalia. During the summer it hits well over a hundred during the day and the killer is it some times doesn't drop below 80 at night! Is it different there? Thanks for anyone who knows!

I moved from Templeton to Visalia and in my experience it is a little cooler during the summer, not by much though, nights are cooler, but to be brutally honest I haven't noticed a huge change between the two cities. You really need to travel down to the five cities area for cooler weather that you will actually notice. Be prepared for very high living costs though, I can get cheaper gas way up in Three Rivers than I can in Paso Robles

[MWJamesLDS]

Originally Posted by shouldbeworking

I moved from Templeton to Visalia and in my experience it is a little cooler during the summer, not by much though, nights are cooler, but to be brutally honest I haven't noticed a huge change between the two cities. You really need to travel down to the five cities area for cooler weather that you will actually notice. Be prepared for very high living costs though, I can get cheaper gas way up in Three Rivers than I can in Paso Robles

Thats great to know. I grew up in Visalia and spend most weekends there as my wife is working at a local high school while I finish a Nursing Program in Bakersfield. Templeton is the area my wife likes. I'm really considering Atascadero State Hospital for employment (they've been recruiting at my school), though it may be another 3 years before I can make that move. RN's gross about $7200 a month there and Nurse Practitioners (my actual employment goal) make about 9200 a month. Ive notices housing prices are going down a little there, would those types of incomes do? So you said night "are" cooler. Are they cool enough to turn off the A/C in July and open the windows? Say after 8pm? Or should I really consider living on the coast and commuting? Would the coast feel to cold for someone fairly used to the Central Valley? Thanks!

[shouldbeworking]

Yes, the nights are cool enough to open the windows and kick that house fan on. Maybe two or three days out of the year when its too hot to do that, but most of the time its cool enough.

As for commuting, if its Templeton to Atascadero, then no problem, any further and its a pain, 101 is getting very busy. Then again, compared to big cities such as LA its nothing.

With the money you would be making you could buy a good home in the area, Templeton prices are still strong, about two to three times more expensive than the valley for what you get and the older area is spotty, some really nice houses and others just falling apart, Atascadero and Paso are the same.

The coast, such as the five cities area is a nice place. It is much cooler and you do have to deal with the fog, but its 75F all year round, some like that, I am not a fan, I like my seasons!

Out of all of the above cities, I prefer Visalia but none of them are horrible places to live.