Sell me on SLO/rural central coast (San Diego, Oxnard: rentals, home)

[irisheyes999]

So a little bit of background info....

I'm a 22 yo college graduate (USC) that lived in SoCal my entire life, with the exception of the last nine months which have been spent in a rural town in Colorado. I love living in this tiny (pop. 1000) mountain town, but friends, family, job prospects, and future education are causing me to reconsider California.

SoCal is out of the question. I hated the traffic, the preoccupation with cultivating a certain image, the lack of open space, and the keeping up with the jones' mentality.

NorCal has never really appealed to me, but the few times I have been to the central coast have been very pleasant. I'm hoping the issues I stated above aren't super prevalent along the central coast. From what I've exprienced, it seems much more laid back than socal.

The areas I was looking at were Atascadero and Santa Margarita.

Can anyone tell me why I would want to live here, or perhaps even more helpful, why I wouldn't?

Maybe this will help:

Like: hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, rodeos, rural towns, hobbyfarming (goats/chickens/bunnies), horseback riding, gardening, wildlife watching, scenic areas, feeling of community, outdoors, theater, art

Dislike: smog, heavy traffic, pretentious people, ultra liberals, extreme heat (110+), suburban hell, soccer moms

[NewportBorn]

Have you looked into Ventura County at all?

It would put you closer to Orange County, but there is definitely more of a rural vibe there

[irisheyes999]

I have looked a bit into ventura county. The horsey areas (chatsworth) are a little too expensive. Ojai, Fillmore, and Oxnard seemed O.K, but are either too suburban, or too expensive. Fillmore looks great, but is similar in terms of job potential to my town in Co, so I might as well stay here.

It seems like a lot of the areas in ventura county and california in general are "faux-rural". McRanchettes on 3/4 of an acre with a chicken and gingham curtains.

I'm looking for a place where I can't see the neighbors and can have 5-20 acres. Without spending an arm and a leg.

Craigslist has a Santa Margarita posting that's $1450 for a 3 bedroom on 10 acres.

I could be wrong about Ventura County though. Are there some cities you suggest exploring?

[CA central coast]

It sells itself. Do some reasearch. I think I've answered this same question from you before. If that home in Santa Margarita is half way decent, that's a good price. Santa Margarita is very pricey. It's a pretty area and a short drive to Atascadero and SLO. An ideal location.

[JetJockey]

Originally Posted by irisheyes999

I have looked a bit into ventura county. The horsey areas (chatsworth) are a little too expensive. Ojai, Fillmore, and Oxnard seemed O.K, but are either too suburban, or too expensive. Fillmore looks great, but is similar in terms of job potential to my town in Co, so I might as well stay here.

It seems like a lot of the areas in ventura county and california in general are "faux-rural". McRanchettes on 3/4 of an acre with a chicken and gingham curtains.

I'm looking for a place where I can't see the neighbors and can have 5-20 acres. Without spending an arm and a leg.

Craigslist has a Santa Margarita posting that's $1450 for a 3 bedroom on 10 acres.

I could be wrong about Ventura County though. Are there some cities you suggest exploring?

Be careful when they say 'Santa Margarita' on craigslist. More often than not, they mean Creston which is a LOT further away. That's happened to me quite a few times when looking for rentals. And NEVER rent sight unseen from North County SLO... people tend to think their travel trailers count as housing....

[grimstuff]

Not to be rude or anything, but there are about a hundred other threads here on SLO County. I end up saying the same things over and over again.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by grimstuff

Not to be rude or anything, but there are about a hundred other threads here on SLO County. I end up saying the same things over and over again.

I absolutely agree. PEOPLE, DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST. I'm just going quit answering these repeated questions. It's getting old...no, it's been old.

[humboldtrat]

www.cayucosbythesea.com About 20 miles from SLO

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by CA central coast

I absolutely agree. PEOPLE, DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST. I'm just going quit answering these repeated questions. It's getting old...no, it's been old.

What about that guy who has fantasies about shopping malls on the central coast? Now that's OLD .

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

What about that guy who has fantasies about shopping malls on the central coast? Now that's OLD .

I know, that has aways cracked me up! Most people are comin gto the Central Coast to get away from that sort of thing. IF you love Malls go where they live such as the OC or San Fran or San Diego ad nauseum....

In all of my research, and in my humbel opinion, for cost, weather and amenities you can't beat The Central Coast..........