Opinions on Ojai and The Oak Grove School (Santa Barbara, Napa: real estate, homes)

[melissaheyna]

Hi everyone. I am looking at a possible relocation to Ojai. Several years ago I lived in Monterey and I absolutely loved being in California. I came back east via an untimely divorce, but have missed California since. I am a successful professional artist and I know that Ojai is a thriving art community. I like the fact that it is more rural and small. Being the parent of two small children (4 and 6) I am trying to find out if Ojai has major drug problems (our town is overrun with crack cocaine and the violence tied to it). I am also curious as to everyone's opinions on the Oak Grove School. I have been researching it and Ojai as thoroughly as possible via Internet, but always appreciate firsthand opinions. (We are making a trip out in July). My children are precocious and oriented toward art, music, and photography, as well as being very physically active. I would like a lifestyle where they can be immersed in these things wholeheartedly, while enjoying the outdoors far more than the indoors! My perfect lifestyle would involve daily beach trips, biking, hiking, camping, horse riding, etc... Thanks to everyone who reads and possibly responds to my post!

[edwardius]

As for drugs, Crystal Meth is probably a bigger problem than crack cocaine. For a while because Ventura County still has plenty of rural areas, there were quite a few meth labs in Santa Paula, Filmoore, Oak View and upper Ojai.

Most of the labs have moved elsewhere, but there are plenty of meth addicts still living in the area.

If you keep your nose clean, they meth heads probably won't concern you too much. But they are definitely in the area.

As for the art scene in Ojai, I thought that it was more a function of the aspirations of the local real estate promoters than a successful art scene. If you are looking for that. I would look more in the North Bay, may Napa, Sonoma, Mendicino etc or I would go out to Santa Barbara. But I thought the art scene in Ojai lacked vigor.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Think you will love it in the Ojai area. I work for Community Memorial Health System. We operate the Ojai Community Hospital along with Ventura's Community Memorial Hospital and a nine, county wide, clinic system. Plenty of things to do with the family outdoors. The beaches both in the Ventura and the Santa Barbara area are easily accesible. Lake Casitas is near by and has plenty to offer including a small water slide park. This is an area that plenty of Hollywood notibles have called home, with many still residing there today or keeping homes in the area. Lots of people in the art community live within the area as well.

[edwardius]

Ojai was a pleasant enough tourist trap. But it is a tourist trap. Lots of places to ride your bike, play tennis, go horseback riding, or hang out in day spa but it definitely isn't a cultural mecca. If you are looking for that, I would head to Santa Barbara or LA.

[Gidget]

Ojai is a great place to raise kids. Like every place, there are drugs here but it's not in your face at all. The art scene, which is not my scene so I am most definitely not an expert, seems to be alive and well, and there is also a funky thriving art community in the west end of Ventura, not far away. While Oak Grove would not have been right for my son, it may be just perfect for your children. That really depends on what you think education ought to be and what your children need. It does have a good reputation. There is plenty to do outdoors like hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and due to the semi-rural nature of the area there are 4-H activities, too. Any other questions, feel free to ask.

[bookfiend]

We're thinking of moving to Ojai, too, and are considering Oak Grove as well as Ojai Valley School and Ojai Montessori. Does anyone have a sense of how these schools compare? We've got a 9-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, both of them sensitive, artistic and good students.

[Karberry]

Ojai is wonderful, although I live in Ventura as I can't take the heat. My girls have attended the Montessori School of Ojai for 8 years. They graduate this year. The school is amazing and the girls have thrived there. They have become very independent girls that love to learn and love school.
The school is small and located on 10 acres with a baseball field, garden, art and music program, as well as Science and Spanish. The academics are strong and the students learn at their own pace.
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