Dream of moving to Ventura!

[Anonymous]

Husband and I went out last month and loved it. Small town feel but has what we value: biking, wine & beer, chill and the city seems to have a lot of social services. No homeless like Santa Barbara, San Diego or LA. We are committed in DC for 3 more years. I figure that gives us time to really get to know it.
Would love to get on a Ventura/Oxnard listserve. He’ll be retired, I will work remotely or have interest in working for Arc of Ventura.

[Anonymous]

And? You want us to congratulate you on disparaging homeless people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I went out last month and loved it. Small town feel but has what we value: biking, wine & beer, chill and the city seems to have a lot of social services. No homeless like Santa Barbara, San Diego or LA. We are committed in DC for 3 more years. I figure that gives us time to really get to know it.
Would love to get on a Ventura/Oxnard listserve. He’ll be retired, I will work remotely or have interest in working for Arc of Ventura.

I live in South Orange County, and honestly have never been to Ventura. I assumed it was just a typical suburb of LA. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about the listserve, but do know about Ventura, so if you have anything specific to ask, feel free!

[Anonymous]

Ha, everyone in SB looks down on Ventura. Wonder why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And? You want us to congratulate you on disparaging homeless people?

Who is disparaging homeless? I think it’s great the The Ventura govt cares Enough to put money toward programs that help the unhoused. I want to live where my government makes choices that help people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha, everyone in SB looks down on Ventura. Wonder why.

Do tell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And? You want us to congratulate you on disparaging homeless people?

Who is disparaging homeless? I think it’s great the The Ventura govt cares Enough to put money toward programs that help the unhoused. I want to live where my government makes choices that help people.

It's too hot in Ventura. The homeless population heads to the beach for the free showers (thank you), the parks and the cooler nights.

[Anonymous]

That’s interesting. I’ve been Ventura and Oxnard and they just seemed like suburban sprawl to me. I mean I wouldn’t mind living there but I wouldn’t say it is some fabulous destination

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. I’ve been Ventura and Oxnard and they just seemed like suburban sprawl to me. I mean I wouldn’t mind living there but I wouldn’t say it is some fabulous destination

I’m coming from the east coast and love idea of living at beach. That’s why it’s appealing. We want something laid back & manageable. We’ll be retired.
I know it’s no LA but love it’s also not snobby Santa Barbara.

I’m really not sure why I posted here except to try to find a local listserve to get a feel. But now I remember that lisyserves are not representative of population. We’re going out again in February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. I’ve been Ventura and Oxnard and they just seemed like suburban sprawl to me. I mean I wouldn’t mind living there but I wouldn’t say it is some fabulous destination

I’m coming from the east coast and love idea of living at beach. That’s why it’s appealing. We want something laid back & manageable. We’ll be retired.
I know it’s no LA but love it’s also not snobby Santa Barbara.

I’m really not sure why I posted here except to try to find a local listserve to get a feel. But now I remember that lisyserves are not representative of population. We’re going out again in February.

That's funny. Ventura is not the beach. Not for at least an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s interesting. I’ve been Ventura and Oxnard and they just seemed like suburban sprawl to me. I mean I wouldn’t mind living there but I wouldn’t say it is some fabulous destination

I’m coming from the east coast and love idea of living at beach. That’s why it’s appealing. We want something laid back & manageable. We’ll be retired.
I know it’s no LA but love it’s also not snobby Santa Barbara.

I’m really not sure why I posted here except to try to find a local listserve to get a feel. But now I remember that lisyserves are not representative of population. We’re going out again in February.

That's funny. Ventura is not the beach. Not for at least an hour.

What do you mean? I was there in Oct and watched boardwalk and took a yoga class on the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha, everyone in SB looks down on Ventura. Wonder why.

Do tell?

okay I'm not this top PP, but I'm from Santa Barbara and Carpinteria and live in West LA (also have lived in NoVA, which is why I'm here) so I'll try an answer some of this.

To this comment above: Over the years, Santa Barbara (SB) got too pricey, so blue collar tended to move to Carpinteria and Ventura and commute in to SB. That phenomenon still exists.

Ventura (and Carpinteria, too) used to be more seedy. Downtown Ventura was pretty seedy. My aunt and uncle owned a condo by the museum and that main street was sort of yikes-ey. However; that has totally changed and that main street by the mission, etc, is now gentrified and thriving. Ventura is a cool place to be.

Re another PP's comment, don't even know what they are talking about--Ventura is on the beach.

It does run into Oxnard, and then Camarillo, and you should also look there, OP. There is this area with a marina that is really cool.

I think it's great you want to explore, OP! FYI, though, just check into the taxes situation. DH and I are plotting our escape from CA because it's getting crazy out here. I'm a CA lifer so it's really saying something that we are leaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha, everyone in SB looks down on Ventura. Wonder why.

Do tell?

okay I'm not this top PP, but I'm from Santa Barbara and Carpinteria and live in West LA (also have lived in NoVA, which is why I'm here) so I'll try an answer some of this.

To this comment above: Over the years, Santa Barbara (SB) got too pricey, so blue collar tended to move to Carpinteria and Ventura and commute in to SB. That phenomenon still exists.

Ventura (and Carpinteria, too) used to be more seedy. Downtown Ventura was pretty seedy. My aunt and uncle owned a condo by the museum and that main street was sort of yikes-ey. However; that has totally changed and that main street by the mission, etc, is now gentrified and thriving. Ventura is a cool place to be.

Re another PP's comment, don't even know what they are talking about--Ventura is on the beach.

It does run into Oxnard, and then Camarillo, and you should also look there, OP. There is this area with a marina that is really cool.

I think it's great you want to explore, OP! FYI, though, just check into the taxes situation. DH and I are plotting our escape from CA because it's getting crazy out here. I'm a CA lifer so it's really saying something that we are leaving.

Thank you. This is helpful. I’m CA born & raised SanDiego inland (yuck) did stint in LA (was in band, lol), SF for college then met husband and moved to DC. Dc has been good to us. Good careers and we have 2 house that have appreciated remarkably. But I do not want to age in DC and are not interested in VA or MD.

Once kids graduate college we want to downgrade and live closer to family who are in SD and Santa Barbara. We’re used to high taxes and high COL.

I always thought we would retire in a blue city in a cheap Red state. Trump and current GOP has changed that for me. I’ve had my eye on Ventura for a while b/c it was affordable but heard it was seedy. But a visit last summer changed that.

My husband is really, really concerned about the water situation. That’s our main concern and finding a house we like that hasn’t been ruined in a flip.

[Anonymous]

Wow so many people on this thread have no clue about Ventura 😆 one person even saying it’s hot?!! Ha.

It is a hidden gem. There are homeless though, OP, just FYI. Gorgeous beaches, more affordable, cute shops & bars and easy going lifestyle. It’s also a terrific location for exploring points north! Go for it!