Ojai lifestyle (home, private schools, living)

[johnny12]

I am looking for info regarding Ojai. I know it's expensive, but could a local please give me info on things like weather, school systems, everyday life. Is Ojai out of the way, but close enough to larger towns? Public schools vs the private schools, like Oak Grove. Is it crowded, is there any greenery?
I know it's a lot of questions, Thanks!

[Winston Smith]

I don't live in Ojai, so I don't have all of the answers but here's what I know: Ojai is 12 miles from the ocean and in summer can be 40 degrees hotter than the beach. (Yes, FORTY! At least they're F degrees.) Nearby Lake Casitas can cause it to be a tad humid, also. Winter temps are freezing at night. It has an out-of-the-way feel, but it's not far from larger places. Traffic along the main drag and getting in and out of town will require your patience at times. Ojai is beautiful, surrounded by mountains, citrus and avocado plantations, oak trees and wild spaces. Tons of hiking opportunities.

[dusesean1986]

If you want to know the average monthly temperatures, go to weather.com, then type in Ojai in the top box. A page will come up of every Ojai in the United States, click Ojai California Averages and Records, let me know if you got it ok.

[johnny12]

Originally Posted by dusesean1986

If you want to know the average monthly temperatures, go to weather.com, then type in Ojai in the top box. A page will come up of every Ojai in the United States, click Ojai California Averages and Records, let me know if you got it ok.

I've have it on my computer, right next to my local weather. Sometimes it's better to hear what people in the area have to say. Thanks

[dusesean1986]

Well, it truly doesn't matter where you really go in California Johnny. As long as you aren't in the mountains or desert, California has the best weather of the nation. The summers are dry, not the sticky, muggy summers of the Northeast. Night time winter lows are a dry cold, not the humid cold of which is more fierce back east. Trust me, if you don't like the Connecticut weather, you will soon fall in love with the California weather. Any more questions buddy?!

[notmeofficer]

Ojai..very pretty, touristy... expensive... artsy... REALLY crowded on weekends or rush hour times when everyone clogs the ONE road in and out (I believe that is the 33)

huge forest fire dangers depending on where you live

It is close to the "sespe" which is great for hiking and getaway... everywhere down there is crowded now and even the places historically known for "sanctuary" aren't anymore

the weather is definately cooler in the winter and hotter in the summer because of its distance from the ocean.. higher elevations can see snow in the winter.. the sespe for sure

commuting out of there could be hell... I have a friend who lives in the western L.A. valley and commutes up there to see his g/f 2 times a week and it ends up being several hours out of his life... for me unacceptable

Any real shopping or medical needs will bring you out of the community and back down to ventura on the 101.. and that gets very crowded on the weekends.. the commute down the 33 could be as short as 30-40 minutes.. and as long as an hour depending on traffic (and whether you live in west Ojai or further east)

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by notmeofficer

Any..medical needs will bring you out of the community and back down to ventura...

Just a small correction. Ojai is not that isolated. You will find doctors, dentists, veterinarians right in town, even a hospital, Ojai Valley Community. Everything else notmeofficer wrote is accurate, to my knowledge.

[enlightenme]

Originally Posted by johnny12

I am looking for info regarding Ojai. I know it's expensive, but could a local please give me info on things like weather, school systems, everyday life. Is Ojai out of the way, but close enough to larger towns? Public schools vs the private schools, like Oak Grove. Is it crowded, is there any greenery?
I know it's a lot of questions, Thanks!

I lived there for 10 years and I personally don't like the summers in Ojai. It can be in the 100's and almost always in the high 90's. It is dry. I also lived on the coast for over 20 years and that is the kind of weather I like better. But, some people love that it is hot and clear in Ojai when the coast is experiencing their "May Gray" or "June Gloom" marine layer fog. It isn't very green in the summer, mostly yellow. There are a lot of oak trees, chaparral, citrus and avocado. It won't be the green you are use to in CT. It is beautiful though and surrounded by mountains. The Topa Topa mountains are gorgeous when the setting sun hits and lights up the "Pink Moment" and also when they become snow capped in the winter.

Oak Grove is kind of a hippie, alternative school. The kids tend to be unique thinkers and not very mainstream. Thatcher is a prestigious private school, Villanova is a private catholic school. Nordhoff is a decent public high school. It can be a boring town for teenagers. Every day life will consist of getting home by 6 PM when most of the town closes down. There is cute, small downtown called the Arcade. They don't allow chain restaurants or chain stores in city limits. There isn't a lot to do. I mostly went hiking. It is located very close to Ventura, about 15-18 miles and that is where you can go to the beach and do your shopping. HWY 33 and HWY 150 are really your only way in and out of town, so if there is a major storm it is a NIGHTMARE getting into Ojai. Traffic can be insane. I have had it take me 1 hour to go 13 miles during one major rainstorm. The others are also correct about the tourists clogging up the main street in Ojai and it can be a royal pain if you aren't a patient person. I always drove back streets. I feel very fortunate to have lived in Ojai. In many ways it is a great town, but it is also can be frustrating. Some people love Ojai and cannot imagine leaving, others can't wait to get out.

[my3arabs]

Originally Posted by cre8

Just a small correction. Ojai is not that isolated. You will find doctors, dentists, veterinarians right in town, even a hospital, Ojai Valley Community. Everything else notmeofficer wrote is accurate, to my knowledge.

I agree with cre8. I grew up in Ojai and Ventura and my daughter was born in the Ojai hospital. I spent 23 yrs there riding horses, hiking and having a great time. I really miss the area and wish that I could move back. Ojai has tons of trails to ride and hike on and one of my favoites went up and over the ridge to Rose Valley. We don't have anything like that here in Buhl, all flat and way too hot. Shelf rd, Pratt Trail, Thatcher School has tons of trails as well.

It was expensive when I was living there but it was worth it and when you have grown up there you know the ways around the traffic,

My home was at Casitas Dam and yes it does get humid there but not that bad. You can't get better bass fishing than the lake, especially where we got to fish as kids!

[johnny12]

Thanks to everyone who replied with so much info!!