What Can You Tell Me Ojai? (San Diego, Anaheim: to rent, house, buy)

[rainedancer1]

My husband and I are planning to move to CA within two years or so. Currently we live in Connecticut and although it is a good place to raise children it is very cold in the winter and we are inside about 6 months of the year. I am self employed so we don't need to find a place based on employment. We are from very small towns in CT and now we live in a town of about 50,000. The reason we are planning to move to CA is because of the more temperate climate. We have a very hard time handling the humidity and I lived in the west during college and loved it.

My brother is planning to also move to CA in the future because his wife is from there so we will have family there. She is from Anaheim but she suggested we look into Ojai because she said it has more of a small town feel like we are used to. I am wondering if anyone can tell me about it and how the schools are and if you like living there. Any input is appreciated.

[Naomi Manischewitz]

beautiful and attracts wealthy hippies. very safe and near santa barbara.

[Plain Jane 3953]

Although I have not been there in an awful long time, I remember Ojai as being lovely.

[perek]

gorgeous

[DowntownVentura]

I like Ojai, I was just there Saturday. One drawback, for me, it can get mighty hot in the summer. But for the most part, the weather is nice, there are nice areas, and there are no chain stores (hmm, there is a Vons Supermarket, but that is all I can think of). It it is kind of isolated though, that can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view. As an example, you can have a 15 mile drive to go to a Lowes.

If you feel you are homesick for the snow, you can drive north about 30 miles and visit the snow. Go back home when you are done with it. That is the best way to deal with snow.

[capt chill]

I just visited Ojai a few weeks ago. Love it... Love it... Want to move there. I am in the process of figuring out how.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by rainedancer1

She is from Anaheim but she suggested we look into Ojai because she said it has more of a small town feel like we are used to.

What other requirements do you have besides "California" and "small town feel"?

Rent or buy? What is your housing budget?
What type of housing are you looking for?
Kids? Ages?
Where is your husband going to work?

California School Performance Maps

[rainedancer1]

Thanks for all the info. More info, we are both from farming type towns and that's not a necessity but it is nice to go to the grocery store and recognize someone. Of course that doesn't happen for a while after you move somewhere.

Our housing budget is about $500,000 at least that is what we are planning in a couple of years when we move. I would like to rent for a little while before we buy so we don't rush into anything. I have 2 kids 8 and 3 and I am planning a third. Currently I am self employed and make enough for us to survive. My husband does concrete construction, I am not sure if there is much of this in Ohai however he also drives tractor trailers if need be. How are the schools rated in Oahi?

[smilinpretty]

Just my opinion, $500K won't buy much in Ojai. Have you considered Temecula? Good schools, you get allot of house for your money.

[Mardala]

I had some friends living there for several years. Its a really beautiful place but very small townish. If you don't mind that, then maybe its more your pace. Personally, for the price of living there, I think the areas north of San Diego would be nicer, like Encinitas. Good schools there and you are really close to the beach and also just a quick drive to San Diego if you feel like going out. Ojai is a little isolated, although you can head down to Ventura.