Tell me all about Santa Maria (Santa Barbara, Orcutt: relocating, agriculture, budget)

[terrie1]

I got an offer to rent a house in Santa Maria and thinking about taking it. Anyone out there that can tell me anything about Santa Maria? Pros or Cons.. I want to here about it. I am getting a divorce and want to relocate somewhere and start over. I think this might be the place.

[OC2CC Dreaming]

Hi, I can tell you a little...I was born in SM and lived there until I graduated high school...I haven't lived there since but visit 4-6 times a year. We are currently trying to move BACK to the area. IMO it is nicer than when I lived there...better shopping options (esp. to the north in SLO) and the wineries in the SM valley have taken off! which leads to nice gourmet restaurants, festivals, etc. It is an affordable (by california coast standards) place to live with new 3 bd homes in the low-to-mid 500Ks and rentals (1-3 year old homes in nice areas) going from 1500-1900. My sister currently rents an enormous 3000K square foot home that has never been lived in, for 2200/mo.
Other pros:
Great elementary schools (don't know if that applies to you) in the Orcutt school district.
A private high school, St. Josephs, is a good option (my alma mater).
Two major universities within 1 hour - UCSB to the south and Cal Poly SLO to the north.
Macy's, Mervn's, Target, Kohls, JCPenney, all the major grocery chains, and Trader Joes is about 25 min north at Arroyo Grande.
The best steakhouses on the planet (I'm biased though).
Wonderful farmers markets esp. SLO on Thursday nights.
If you like wine you are in heaven!

Santa Maria is a good central location to all the nice cities around there. Probably best value for housing. Like to see the other replies!

Best of luck.
Chris

[SoCalif]

Originally Posted by terrie1

I got an offer to rent a house in Santa Maria and thinking about taking it. Anyone out there that can tell me anything about Santa Maria? Pros or Cons.. I want to here about it. I am getting a divorce and want to relocate somewhere and start over. I think this might be the place.

I am from Santa Maria, born and raised. It has been declared an All-American City. I would consider it one of the most affordable places on the Central Coast. I think it's a nice town to raise kids, it's close to Pismo & Avila Beach. We have many wineries, nice lakes, plus Santa Barbara is about an hour south which is always a nice weekend day trip. I love it here.

Now for my only con. Our number one industry is agriculture, thus we have a high population of migrant workers. A couple parts of parts of town my seem like little Tijuana. That may be the only thing negative I have to say about it. Frankly since I am of Mexican decent myself that doesn't bother me at all.

[dognbird]

I am relocating to Orcutt from Santa Barbara. How is the weather there?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by dognbird

I am relocating to Orcutt from Santa Barbara. How is the weather there?

What did your research on the internet tell you about the weather?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by terrie1

I got an offer to rent a house in Santa Maria and thinking about taking it. Anyone out there that can tell me anything about Santa Maria? Pros or Cons.. I want to here about it. I am getting a divorce and want to relocate somewhere and start over. I think this might be the place.

What line of work are you in?
What is your rental budget or housing price range?
Why do you think Santa Maria is the place?