Is is realistic to commute from Ventura to Ojai? (Santa Barbara: apartments, rentals)

[travel99]

I was offered a job in Ojai. Because I prefer to live in a larger city, is it realistic to commute from Ventura to Ojai? How long would it take if I need to be at work between 8-8:30am? Any input would be helpful.

[Snort]

Depending on where you live, it shouldn't be more than a half hour drive up 33 and back. Not a bad commute at all.

[travel99]

Great! Thank you for posting. Do you recommend any safe areas for a female to rent an apartment or any particular parts of town to avoid?

[DowntownVentura]

It is about 15 miles from downtown Ventura to the west side of Ojai. It would be highway speed the whole way. You can even ride a bike up a class I bike path (path separate from the street).

Downtown Ventura is safe, going north on Ventura Ave (the area called "the avenue") is less so. Also, you wouldn't be getting out of the city lifestyle you want.

Midtown Ventura is also nice. It will only add a few minutes to the commute but if you want a small 1920's style house, this is the place. The neighborhoods are real nice.

It depends on how much you wish to spend on an apartment. There are some nice places in downtown, right on the beach, or up in the hills. There are some, shall we say, modest places too. Depends on your budget. $2,000/month gets you a nice 2BR2BA place. I would guess $1500 for a decent 1BR1BA place. Anything less, you start to make some compromises.

In the hills above downtown, the views are spectacular. Downtown has the walkability, walk to restaurants/clubs, the beach, etc. Midtown is a little suburbanish yet minutes from downtown. A nice blend.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I will add the bus even takes the 33 from Ventura to Ojai. If you ride a bike you can place it on the bike carrier at the front of the bus.

Since i can still edit this, I will add that the commute into Ojai from Ventura will probably be better than if you were going from Ojai into Ventura. I have quite a few coworkers that live in Ojai and work in Ventura. The 33 can be congested at times with people coming into Ventura to work or when they are heading home after work. The reverse is much better. For the most part the 33 is a two lane highway.

Then again that rush hour traffic is not bad in the Ojai Valley. And to add, the view isn't all that bad either. Just one more reason to love Ventura County. LOL

[HSP1161]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

I will add the bus even takes the 33 from Ventura to Ojai. If you ride a bike you can place it on the bike carrier at the front of the bus.

+1. The Ventura Transit Center is on the east end of midtown; the VTC is a junction of sorts for most of the buses in Ventura. It's on the north end of the Pacific View Mall. If I were on a budget, I'd look at locating within a short walk of there (also easy access to the new Trader Joes, Allison's and Danny's )

Here's the map.

[travel99]

Wow, thank you for all the great information. I'm actually looking for an apt- short term stay less than 6 months. And I'm on a budget, so knowing there are alternatives up the 33 is great! $1500 is a bit much but could go as high as $1100. Thanks again!!

[travel99]

just to add- the view up the 33 to Ojai is amazing!! Good point about the flow of traffic too. I'm fortunate to be traveling in the opposite direction. Thanks again!!!

[Crystal is a mess]

I can't think of a more perfect commute ... lucky you. A lot of those apartments in the hills over looking Thompson Blvd do 6 month rentals. Any closer to the beach would not be considered budget (unless things have changed since I left).

A little further out in Summerland and I can highly recommend .... will have to look up the name of a lovely complex I rented a condo for 5 weeks, years ago, while waiting for my new home in Santa Barbara to be ready. Right on the beach ..... but maybe not your cuppa tea.

[Crystal is a mess]

My faux pas. It's not Summerland, but Carpenteria and I still can't remember the name.... don't want to have to call up my ex.