SLO, CA Members Help

[coop34]

I noticed there are a few active members from the San Luis Obispo, CA area. I recently received a job offer in SLO, but am worried about the housing prices. Are there any nearby towns with housing that's more affordable than SLO? Atascadero looks cheaper, but driving my truck over that Cuesta Grade everyday doesn't sound appealing. Any advice you can give would be appreciated!

[taylordise]

Santa Maria is just south of there, you could also look into Los Osos. They will definitely be cheaper than San Luis.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by coop34

I noticed there are a few active members from the San Luis Obispo, CA area. I recently received a job offer in SLO, but am worried about the housing prices. Are there any nearby towns with housing that's more affordable than SLO? Atascadero looks cheaper, but driving my truck over that Cuesta Grade everyday doesn't sound appealing. Any advice you can give would be appreciated!

For over 20 years, my son-in-law has owned Moondoggies (a surf/clothing business), which has shops in SLO and Pismo. They live in Shell Beach (just north of Pismo).
My middle daughter and her husband and family lived for a long while in Atascadero. So, we spend (have spent) a ton of time over there on the Central Coast.

As far as budget/value/lifestyle goes, it's all expensive over there. It seems the further North and South of San Luis/Pismo, the less expensive it is.
On the budget/lifestyle side, I'd first look in Arroyo Grande. Start anywhere south of Pismo, since the prices from Avila Beach..in fact, from San Luis,
all the way south to A.G. are very, very stiff. Check Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande.

If that's too rich, you can head north.

I agree, check Los Osos and Morro Bay first. But then, Templeton and Atascadero are an option. Not a good one for me.
But, for my money, better than Santa Maria. Santa Maria's It's pretty far. But without the Cuesta grade obstacle.

My daughter (married to the Moondoggies Man hahaha!), is a school counselor in Santa Maria. She commutes every day
from Shell Beach, and loves the folks there. And I'm sure there are great places to live there. I'm just not familiar with Santa Maria.
I think we have Santa Maria residents here for more S.M. info.

Hope that helps.

Congrats. I'd live on the California Central Coast in a second if I could...Can't for various reasons....

[SactoJim]

Check this out......all the info you could wanna know about most US cities.

http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Lu...alifornia.html

[67CHIP72]

Originally Posted by coop34

I noticed there are a few active members from the San Luis Obispo, CA area. I recently received a job offer in SLO, but am worried about the housing prices. Are there any nearby towns with housing that's more affordable than SLO? Atascadero looks cheaper, but driving my truck over that Cuesta Grade everyday doesn't sound appealing. Any advice you can give would be appreciated!

What line of work? Just interested. My Father is Facilities Supervisor for the Port of San Luis. Plenty of great Old Highways and back roads to drive your old truck on up there.

[coop34]

Thanks for the info! Magwa, I'm familiar with Moondoggies. Been there a few times and it's a nice place. I do like Arroyo Grande a lot. A bit pricey for me though coming from Visalia.

67Chip I'm an accountant. Yeah, I know. Accountant and 67-72 Chevy truck don't really go together, but hey, I'm not the "typical accountant"

[MrClean]

Cheapest place to live around SLO is Santa Maria and no grade to climb, you just have to pick a nice part of town. Arroyo Grande & Grover Beach are nice too but will cost you a bit more, much nicer than Santa Maria and closer to SLO.

[vectorit]

My Mom lives in Cambria, and she would drive to Templeton everyday over the 46. She hated it, but I drive it all the time to visit her. (I take I-5 to avoid Santa Barbara traffic).

Paso Robles is a "cow town" so there are a lot of affordable places there if you don't mind the drive over 46 then South on hwy 1. You can't beat the scenery!
Oh, and Paso gets hotter than hades during the summer! So just be aware of that.

Had family that lived in Arroyo Grande for many years, and there are some pockets of affordable neighborhoods.

SLO is a big time college town too (Cal State SLO), so be aware of that as well but the night life is fun.

Either way, plan on what I call the typical CA commute of 50 miles one way to work from home. Since housing next to cities like SLO are very expensive, no matter what community it is.

[dan42]

I would also say Santa Maria, more specifically, Orcutt - but hey, that's where I live. A few members out this way too. I lived in Baywood Park going to College years ago - $440/month for a house with a view of Morro Rock and the north coast. Good luck on your new job - you'll definitely enjoy the weather over here more than Visalia.