SLO only CA city to make the list

[ILikeSmartHippies]

"The fact that our weather is perfect makes this place uncomparable."

I wouldn't say the weather is perfect - it gets in upper 90's during the summer on some days, which is unbearable in the valley, doubly so because the poor home construction doesn't include any air conditioning of any kind. And it can get very cold - again which is rather unbearable considering so many homes only have gas furnace heating (1910's style) or worse, electric coiling in the ceilings!! (That no one dares use because it is $$$ and inefficient).

Also San Luis Obispo had/has very poor "growth" policies (from when I lived there).

Santa Barbara has more perfect weather though is way too expensive to make any such list..

[CA central coast]

I agree with you about Santa Barbara, the weather is a bit nicer. The differences are minor IMO.

I have to disagree about SLO getting "very" cold. I haven't owned a jacket in 20 years. I've never needed anything more than a hoodie. I have friends who wear t-shirts and shorts year round. I have an old house as well, yes I do freeze at times. I can see my breath at times too. But it honestly seems to be colder inside than out during those times.

I can't take anything away from Santa Barbara. There is a reason all those celebrities live there.

[Den Mathias]

Originally Posted by JetJockey

SLO is overpriced because of the college students with mommy and daddys american express card. I have a family friend who owns 3 rental properties in SLO and pays between 1300 and 1700 a month in mortgage/insurance/taxes etc. each on them, but charges nearly double that for rent and they're never empty. He said 'Sure they may be a bit destroyed after the kids move out, but I can always go after the parents for damages'.

Do you think the University is responsible for the high cost of living? Or is it the great weather , beautiful scenery and the limited amount of space for homes?
By SF Bay area and LA standards SLO cost of living is very low. Cities live Atascadero and Los Osos housing seems fairly priced right now.
But, i do wish I had 3 properties like your friend. Then, i could quit my job and manage my assets!

[Den Mathias]

[

I wouldn't say the weather is perfect - it gets in upper 90's during the summer on some days, which is unbearable in the valley, doubly so because the poor home construction doesn't include any air conditioning of any kind. And it can get very cold - again which is rather unbearable considering so many homes only have gas furnace heating (1910's style) or worse, electric coiling in the ceilings!! (That no one dares use because it is $$$ and inefficient).

Also San Luis Obispo had/has very poor "growth" policies (from when I lived there).

Santa Barbara has more perfect weather though is way too expensive to make any such list..[/quote]

I lived in SLO for 6 years and it seemed the most perfect weather I had ever lived in except maybe Oakland. Of course, as a small fry I took a stint in Chicago, Ill.
And you are correct the SLO growth restrictions are pretty onerous. Although have seen worse in Davis, Ca.
And, finally, Santa Barbara weather is pretty perfect of the perfects! But, has too much fog in my opinion.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Perhaps I assumed your preference for urban life. My mistake. But I fail to see how SLO or similar cities by any overt actions of their own are counter to American civic values. Differences in wealth and means will always exist and those "with" will probably choose places to live that satisfy them.

What exactly do you suggest a city like SLO, or the state of California do to promote American civic values?

They don't have a real economy there that has decent paying jobs, yet they have a sky high cost of living. SLO, like many coastal areas in CA, are completely anti-growth in so many ways. They don't want any industry there, no new housing, etc of any kind. It drives up the cost of living for ordinary people who live there. And since most people don't want to pay people at McDonald's and Target more than $10 an hour, they could at least do something to promote a healthier, more balanced economy than has been done over the last 20 years in many parts of California.

[mysticaltyger]

[quote=ILikeSmartHippies;9247598 I wouldn't say the weather is perfect - it gets in upper 90's during the summer on some days, which is unbearable in the valley, doubly so because the poor home construction doesn't include any air conditioning of any kind. And it can get very cold - again which is rather unbearable considering so many homes only have gas furnace heating (1910's style) or worse, electric coiling in the ceilings!! (That no one dares use because it is $$$ and inefficient).

Also San Luis Obispo had/has very poor "growth" policies (from when I lived there).

Santa Barbara has more perfect weather though is way too expensive to make any such list..[/quote]

I think posts like this are just too funny. Go live anywhere in the US (or even more inland parts of CA) and you'll know what "hot" and "cold" really mean.

[Cassino]

Originally Posted by MisterDuke

If it was more affordable you'd have more gangs and drugs and undesirable people moving in, then it wouldn't be one of the best places.

It's happening in the county...not so much in SLO proper however. Crystal meth and gangs from the Fresno area have been a growning concern unfortunately.

I spent 5 years in college there and I really wish I could've stayed. The Central Coast was just perfect for me but unfortunately, the jobs were elsewhere.

[FresnoFacts]

The gangs in the SLO area (all of the county) seem to be either locals or are connected to Kern County and Santa Barbara County gangs (not Fresno). I also hear some of the southern Monterey County gangs have slowly migrated toward the Paso Robles area.

Not a big problem in most of SLO county yet, but it does seem to be growing.

Officials say that gangs in neighboring counties such as Kern and Santa Barbara are trying to gain a foothold in San Luis Obispo County.
SLO County gang force ready with new strategy - Local - San Luis Obispo (http://www.sanluisobispo.com/183/story/736387.html - broken link)

[Rhenzanite]

Originally Posted by Den Mathias

Do you think the University is responsible for the high cost of living? Or is it the great weather , beautiful scenery and the limited amount of space for homes?
By SF Bay area and LA standards SLO cost of living is very low. Cities live Atascadero and Los Osos housing seems fairly priced right now.
But, i do wish I had 3 properties like your friend. Then, i could quit my job and manage my assets!

I think the University is a big part of the high cost of living. I believe the law here is 2 to a bedroom +1. That means a four bedroom house can have 9 people living in it, which means the landlord can rent it for $3000 and the tenants only have to pay $340 a piece a month. Seems pretty cheap, right? Most 'older' residents (and being 25 and self sufficient, I include myself in this) aren't willing to live with that many roommates, but the housing prices are too expensive to rent without them. Plus, they may want the peace and quiet that comes with not having 8 other people to live with.

And you really can't compare LA and the bay area to SLO... it's so ridiculously different there is absolutely no comparison.

[Cassino]

Originally Posted by FresnoFacts

The gangs in the SLO area (all of the county) seem to be either locals or are connected to Kern County and Santa Barbara County gangs (not Fresno). I also hear some of the southern Monterey County gangs have slowly migrated toward the Paso Robles area.

Not a big problem in most of SLO county yet, but it does seem to be growing.

Interesting. I used to work for the PD there a couple years ago and at the time, the Fresno gangs seemed to be the concern.