San Luis Obispo... Pros and Cons (San Jose, Santa Barbara: sale, health insurance, home)

[shemp]

I have a young family and moved to SLO a few years ago. We are very happy with the move. The positives outweigh the negatives by far in our view. You asked for some negatives:

SLO is pretty small, say in comparison to the Bay Area or SoCal, so if that is what you are used to, be prepared for less entertainment opportunities. That doesnt bother us, because of all the outdoor opportunities of the area.

Other posters have mentioned the lack of diversity. SLO can feel a bit like living in an isolated bubble, albeit a pleasant one.

The town would be boring without the university, but all the student houses in the neighborhoods can create conflicts from time to time.

The SLO Coastal school district is very good. It gets extra $ from the Diablo power plant for some reason, which helps protect it from cuts. There have still been cuts recently, but less than elsewhere. A nice aspect is you can send your children to any school in the district, so if you don't like your local elementary, or have a particular preference, you have that option. There is only one middle school and one highschool in SLO and we are not at that point yet so I don't have much to say there, but the reputations are not bad.

[Axxlrod]

I grew up nearby SLO and lived there until 2 years ago. We moved to northern san diego county. Why?

We were bored.

The area felt too isolated and we grew tired of having to drive to santa barbara to shop and to LAX/San Jose to fly.

Also the demographics skew toward retirement age folk (with the exception of the college kids), and being in my 30's I didn't fit in in with either group. Most time when I took my wife out for dinner, we were the youngest people in the restaurant by 30 years.

So, we moved to Carlsbad. And we love it! We live 4 miles from the ocean (can see it from our backyard), and being 40 miles away from san diego proper, we don't have bad traffic and other "big city" problems. Yet we are close enough to go to a Charger or Padres game, getting to the airport is easy, and we have serious shopping/dining/entertainment and cultural events. This is what cosmopolitan living is about ("the city" should look up the definition of cosmopolitan). Plus I enjoy the warmer weather, no wind, and warmer ocean temps. i went boggie-boarding with my daughter last weekend here in the ocean. That would have never happened at Avila or Pismo Beach... water too cold!

Don't get me wrong... SLO is a great town, and we still visit often. It just wasn't for us.

[the city]

Santa Maria expanded their run-way, so that it's the largest run-way and soon to be largest airport between San Jose and LAX. You can get to Hawaii from Santa Maria. Also, SLO has a small airport that will take you to Denver and Salt Lake City and to SF or LA.

Again, I don't see a problem with the shopping in SLO. Macy's, Sear's, Kohl's, and some higher end speciality stores downtown and along with the big box store basics like Target and Costco.

Why would you need to drive to Santa Barbara for shopping?

[Axxlrod]

One word: Nordstrom

If you want to dress like you shop at Sears, that's your business. The only thing I buy at Sears are tools.

[Rhenzanite]

Originally Posted by the city

Santa Maria expanded their run-way, so that it's the largest run-way and soon to be largest airport between San Jose and LAX. You can get to Hawaii from Santa Maria. Also, SLO has a small airport that will take you to Denver and Salt Lake City and to SF or LA.

Again, I don't see a problem with the shopping in SLO. Macy's, Sear's, Kohl's, and some higher end speciality stores downtown and along with the big box store basics like Target and Costco.

Why would you need to drive to Santa Barbara for shopping?

No, KSBP airport only has flights going to and from SF, LAX and Phoenix, they don't have any flights going to SLC or Denver unless you charter a flight. They are thinking about adding Denver to their list...but so far it's a no go.

[Shawn_Estrada]

Originally Posted by the city

Santa Maria expanded their run-way, so that it's the largest run-way and soon to be largest airport between San Jose and LAX. You can get to Hawaii from Santa Maria. Also, SLO has a small airport that will take you to Denver and Salt Lake City and to SF or LA.

Again, I don't see a problem with the shopping in SLO. Macy's, Sear's, Kohl's, and some higher end speciality stores downtown and along with the big box store basics like Target and Costco.

Why would you need to drive to Santa Barbara for shopping?

There is no Macy's in the San Luis, and some people don't prefer to shop there. Sorry, we all can't look like we have hand me downs from the mid 90's, especially at Kohl's and Sears. Seriously U19, gotta get calm your hard on over the retail stuff. Chilliax and take zanax already.

As for Axxlord, sorry to hear your experience. Maybe it is just me, but we are a couple in our early 30's and late 20's and we do just fine with friends. Yes, the demo its a lot of retirees and college aged early 20 somethings, however there are plenty of families that we know and hangout with. Making friends has been much easier here than in the other place i used to live in the valley. It is all about putting yourself out there.

[the city]

Originally Posted by Shawn_Estrada

There is no Macy's in the San Luis, and some people don't prefer to shop there. Sorry, we all can't look like we have hand me downs from the mid 90's, especially at Kohl's and Sears. Seriously U19, gotta get calm your hard on over the retail stuff. Chilliax and take zanax already.

As for Axxlord, sorry to hear your experience. Maybe it is just me, but we are a couple in our early 30's and late 20's and we do just fine with friends. Yes, the demo its a lot of retirees and college aged early 20 somethings, however there are plenty of families that we know and hangout with. Making friends has been much easier here than in the other place i used to live in the valley. It is all about putting yourself out there.

Macy's is coming. I have confirmation and I can not say much more. I expect there to be a public announcement this year. That is all I can say.

Every Macy's is different by the way. A Macy's in SLO is going to be different than a Macy's in Hawaii vs. a Macy's in Montana. I'm guessing this Macy's will reflect the young, outdoorsy Central Coast culture. I'd also guess the SLO Macy's will carry some designer clothing lines because there are people here who would buy designer clothing.

[the city]

Originally Posted by JetJockey

No, KSBP airport only has flights going to and from SF, LAX and Phoenix, they don't have any flights going to SLC or Denver unless you charter a flight. They are thinking about adding Denver to their list...but so far it's a no go.

I had hoped the Denver flight would go through for the SLO airport. I guess not.

[jg9999]

I'm the thread starter. Thank you so much for all your comments. They really help.

We already received one private "Direct Message" re the following. (Thanks to that sender.) But we are interested in hearing from others re your thoughts about the following:

We have always visited SLO in the summer, when a lot of the college kids are gone. The ones we have encountered have been fine, but I'm guessing the numbers of college-age kids downtown is dramatically greater when school is in session??? (Just a guess, maybe I'm wrong.)

My question is: On a weekend night during the school year can you go downtown with a wife and young daughter, and have a pleasant meal, or see a movie, without being bothered by college kids. We don't mind crowds, we just dont like unruly crowds. We don't go to bars very often --- I'm just wondering about restaurants, the theater, shops, or the sidewalk downtown. (We plan on living within a half mile of downtown.)

Thanks for any comments you can offer,
jg9999.

[Shawn_Estrada]

Originally Posted by jg9999

We have always visited SLO in the summer, when a lot of the college kids are gone. The ones we have encountered have been fine, but I'm guessing the numbers of college-age kids downtown is dramatically greater when school is in session??? (Just a guess, maybe I'm wrong.)

My question is: On a weekend night during the school year can you go downtown with a wife and young daughter, and have a pleasant meal, or see a movie, without being bothered by college kids. We don't mind crowds, we just dont like unruly crowds. We don't go to bars very often --- I'm just wondering about restaurants, the theater, shops, or the sidewalk downtown. (We plan on living within a half mile of downtown.) .

They are everywhere, but yes there numbers are lower. I live about 8 blocks from the downtown core in the historic mill street neighborhood. Our street has emptied out like usual. Yes, you can take your kids out to the restaurant, shops, etc downtown. Just avoid key "holidays" like Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco De Mayo, and you should do fine. Also avoiding restaurants near campus helps out a lot.

Honestly, the students are pretty respectful when dinning out. We have a 2 year old and 6 year old, and they always are friendly to our kids. For movies, obviously just don't do the later showings like 9 or after, and generally goes for dinning as well.

As for "children friendly" restaurants, they are slim pickings in the Downtown. Habit Burger, Woodstock's, Firestone, Mo's, Yannagi's, Thai Palace, Eureka, Petra/the other middle eastern place, Donkey Cafe and CPK and the vegan place are as about kid friendly as you can get.

A couple quick glances usually helps out those students that are super unruly at tables after a few beers, and finally we have on only a few instances, actually said something. Typically we ask to drop the "f-bombs" for a little bit. They typically understand. If you want to PM I can provide a little bit more info.

Housing is tough in the downtown. Most rental homes are pretty rundown that are affordable. Good luck!