Best cities near Vandenberg AFB? (Los Angeles, San Francisco: rentals, car insurance, mortgage)

[prodigy1367]

I’m getting a job in Space Operations over at Vandenberg and I was wondering what are some good cities to live in? Looking for about an hour commute tops and some place where there are young people and plenty of stuff to do (nightlife, eating, basic single guy stuff). From my research doesn’t seem to be many cities close by. Just don’t wanna move to the middle of nowhere is all haha

[hye345]

“Young people, plenty of stuff to do”

Your probably thinking of Santa Barbara I live in Orcutt, about 25 minutes north. It’s a decent area, some bars, restaurants and wineries, and a pseudo-downtown.

[volosong]

San Luis Obispo is a 50 minute commute. With the university, it's probably the best bet for what you seek, (in addition to the aforementioned SB with its university). Goleta to VAFB is about a 70 minute commute.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by volosong

San Luis Obispo is a 50 minute commute. With the university, it's probably the best bet for what you seek, (in addition to the aforementioned SB with its university). Goleta to VAFB is about a 70 minute commute.

And that’s a wrap for youthful “things to do” along the central coast

(Besides outdoors adventure, that is.)

[Vic Romano]

Yes, if you're willing to drive an hour to work, then San Luis Obispo or Goleta/Isla Vista (north of Santa Barbara) would be your best bets. You don't really want to be IN Santa Barbara because of traffic.

Santa Maria/Orcutt is the most convenient city but the night life probably is not as good there.

[sacreole]

I second Santa Maria/Orcutt. Maybe even consider the Santa Ynez Valley towns to the east such as Buellton and Solvang.

[JB316]

I also was looking into the area a while back because of Vandy. I wasn’t very familiar with the area at the time, but we’ve made a few trips out to the area since then.

The Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo areas really seem to be the closest thing to what you’re looking for, mainly because they are both college towns. They both also offer loads of great outdoor activities if you are the outdoorsy type. Both are insanely expensive by the way..

[drewswitz]

I am considering applying for a GS job out at Vandenberg as well. Looking at homes and rentals, I can’t help but ask how anyone with a family on single income can afford to live out there. Looks like the cheapest decent 3bd/2bath places out there that someone would be lucky to find would have a rent or mortgage w/ utilities of approx 2500. The job I’m looking at would be netting 4K per month.

4,000 - 2,500 - 70(internet), - 140 (phone Bill) - 150 (car insurance) - 10 (subscription) - 400 (tithe) = $730 left for the month for living expenses

730/4 week = 182 per week

We are a fam of 5 and spend 200-250 a week on grocery and house supplies

Single income because wife homeschools all 3 kids. This budget doesn’t have room for savings or emergency fund allocation. Also doesn’t even include Med insurance.

I assume everyone living up there with a fam are dual income?

The gs net pay already includes locality. Looks like it’s impossible for single income 78k household to live by Vandenberg unless they live in 1k sq ft home and/or eat hotdogs and ramen

Thoughts?

[JB316]

Sometimes federal installations will offer base housing to GS employees if there is any available. I know of a few places like that, and typically the cost is much more affordable than the surrounding area. I'd say Vandenberg fits the description of a place that might offer that, check into it.

Is the job only available at Vandenberg only or could you get the same gig at other installations? The reason why I ask is because just north of Vandenberg is Fort Hunter Liggett, another federal installation with many GS positions. FHL is also located in central California, and I do know they offer base housing to GS employees. They are also on San Francisco locality and not Los Angeles, so the same job at FHL compared to Vandy will pay you roughly 5k more per year. Good luck with it, it's a tough egg to crack.

[drewswitz]

Yea I sent an email to their base housing. My buddy was over there and said he tried and they were full with huge waiting list at the time.

My job would only be avail at Vandenberg for that area. We would really like to move to that area like many do because it’s beautiful, but I can’t justify that move because no way to afford unless dual income for our situation or to cram all 3 kids in 1 room. Or like I said hotdogs and hamburger helpers for food. Crazy because I see that median household income for that area is $75k. My budget is based off $78k with no car payments cuz both are paid off which isn’t the case for most. So I’m scratching my head at that median income. They must be single person households or cramming everyone in old 1k sq ft