Longtime lurker here, Household incomes average around $79,202 in Ojai. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Madeline Young
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Diego it's improving.
34 upvotes
cincy_evan
I've lived in Highland for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- The outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
grayson_lover
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Katherine Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Ian G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
dallas_wyatt
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Theodore R.
yeah no that's not right
19 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
big facts right here
19 upvotes
Addison Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Austin W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Jose W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Everly Miller
+1
1 upvotes
Camila A.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's decent.
0 upvotes
Riley Harris
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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