Santa Maria Neighborhoods for young family (Orcutt, Nipomo: low income, apartments, foreclosures)

[centralcoastca]

My husband and I will be moving the the SM area within the next couple of months and would like to know about some neighborhoods that would be good for our young family (we have a 10-month old with plans for more). We are looking to buy a house or condo (price range from $200k to $250). We're pretty laid back and do not like much "night life." We like going for walks in our neighborhood and would like an area with other young families. Does anyone have any reccommendations? We were looking near the Preskier Park area and would love any input. We are also looking around Betteravia (near my husband's work). What about the Tanglewood area? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[SoCalif]

I wouldn't recommend living in Tanglewood, it's a tough little neighborhood. I sent you a direct message with my detailed thoughts of SM.

[calimomof3]

Hi there -- I also don't recommend Tanglewood no matter how low the prices are. We've lived over by Preskier Park for the past 5 years. We moved into the newer homes behind the junior high. I think the area has gotten MUCH better. The schools are good despite the english learners (whole other topic), and there are a ton of resources like free afterschool care, free breakfasts and lunches, bussing, and a lot of resources within the schools. The spanish-only speaking parents are everywhere which is frustrating... again, whole other topic - but overall, you will find good people who actually care about living here and will upkeep their home and speak the language. I think the worst area is mid-town.

Also, the schools on the north end of town have G.A.T.E. classes so kids who ARE excelling have a chance to be in an all-inclusive classroom (my son was in it from 3rd grade on). I have a number of friends with kids in the Orcutt schools who've had issues with the gate program. All the schools on the northwest are brand new and state-of-the-art (computers and TVs in the classrooms, new playground equipment, computer lab, everything is new/updated). And, the curriculum in 93458 is more rigorous. My daughter's 1st grade teacher lives in Orcutt and knows the schools curriculum there and she told me that (her son attends Joe Nightingale which boasts Blue Ribbon). So, even though we may have a different type of population, what's expected out of the kids is more intense.

93455 isn't as heavily populated with hispanics but they have their issues, too. Many hispanic kids are bussed into their schools from Guadalupe and other outlining areas so if you hear it's all white, it's not. Also, 93455 doesn't have the city benefits because it's unincorporated (i.e. within the city limits we have ordinances like no trashed cars in front of the house, no junk exposed, street cleaners, etc). GOOD LUCK with your search. The weather here is awesome.

[Exporter]

Agree with the above posters about Tanglewood, it sucks...

I would strongly advise that you focus your search on areas south of Betteravia, or in the 93455 Orcutt area. Way better schools, small town feel, and your husband will still be only a couple of miles from work.

There are real issues with ESL (English Second Language) in Santa Maria schools, so unless your child is bilingual, may have difficulty in classes. Also abundance of low income/migrant apartments in Santa Maria area leads to more troublesome areas. Who cares about an "advanced" curriculum or a fancy new building if the teachers spend their time translating or dealing with issues migrant children create.

If youre a hard-working, middle class type who just wants a clean and safe area to live, Orcutt or South Santa Maria are definitely the places to look.

[carp killer]

A friend of mine lived over by Preskier Park area and got ripped off, TWICE. Both times they came over a high block wall and broke in the sliding glass door at the back of the house. And both times did it in broad daylight while my buddy was out making a living. The kicker is that the block wall is on a busy street that always has someone on it, AND NO ONE SAW A THING! If you saw someone handing over a large TV and guns over a fence, wouldn't you call the police? That tells you something about the community on that side of town. And the cops said just file an insurance claim, there is nothing they can do. Take the advice and move to Orcutt or south of Betteravia. Oh yea, my buddy moved to Nipomo after the second burglary.

[jrmint]

Other people's responses are correct about Tanglewood! In my opinion, it's as if a little neighborhood from South Central L.A. was picked up by a tornado and dropped in the middle of an agriculture field. A lot of want-to-be-gang members live or are affiliated with the area also.

Regarding the person who knows someone who had their home broken into in broad daylight - so typical that the Santa Maria police department would react with disregard. The SMPD doesn't do anything unless it's a big drug related (gang) case or a murder. Anything else, you're on your own.

You mention walking with your family in your neighborhood; you'll feel much more comfortable doing that in the 93455 (Orcutt) area, in my opinion. If you follow the local newspaper, there are frequently reports about men, not just women, being mugged in Santa Maria proper (also in broad daylight).

The good news is housing prices (in 93455) are selling for approximately $100,000 less than they have been for the last 5 years, so it's a great time to buy if you can! There are many foreclosures also, so you can get an amazing deal on a foreclosed home! The Orcutt area begins about a mile south of Betteravia. Houses in the area heading east from Waller Park towards WalMart (still in Santa Maria but right against the beginning of Orcutt are nice - we have friends with families who live there and like it). Try looking at the neighborhoods directly surrounding Rotary Centennial Park in Santa Maria. Basically, anything south of Betteravia towards Orcutt (Santa Maria zip code) is good also. Good luck!

[dougaddison]

We are looking for a house in SM Seems like a lot of nice homes in Pacific Crest. Does anyone know about this neighborhood? Found a great house on Alder Ct but the neighbor has a rooster!! It does not seem right. I wont mention how ashamed I am of the condition of the houses that are only 3 yrs old. People trash them and get foreclosed.

[Raspberrytea]

My husband and I visited the Santa Maria/Orcutt area recently and are seriously considering moving there in our semi-retirement years. Thinking of purchasing a manufactured home because we travel quite a bit and do not want yard work. We drove though some of the communities/parks and were surprised to see garages with some of the homes! Any thoughts on the best parks in the area?