Reviews & Comments
Ojai, CA
cost of living -
7/4/2008Ojai is a rare gem in SoCal, located in a mountain valley 12 miles NE of Ventura, 23 miles SW of Santa Barbara. It's considered by many, (inc. the Chumash settlers) a spiritual location, because it's one of the few places on earth where the mts. run in both directions, creating a geographical vortex, a gateway to the spirit world. (much like Sedona, Az. and Kathmandu). The prime location makes it a get away haven for the rich and famous from Hollywood land, 70 miles to the south. It's mainly service economy is dependent on tourism, yet its' off the beaten track location, unprecedented beauty and eclectic mix of artists, musicians, 3rd generation ranchers and service minded folks offer a diversity I've never seen anywhere else. The lack of pretentiousness is unusual for SoCal. People are laid back, open minded, friendly and free thinkers. Every type of divinity is located here from organized religion to Wicca, Native beliefs and east-west philosophies. Ojai features world class spas and hosts many alternative healthy body-mind-soul retreats.
All this adds up to can you afford to live here? The cost of living is so high it is difficult to make ends meet. People live in any type of housing that can allow them to call this place home. That means converted garages, yurts, motor homes and even tents, alongside multi-million dollar homes, and overpriced half million dollar tear downs.
Housing in Ojai is so out of proportion with the rest of the country (California in general) you can't even begin to compare. It's so differentiated that you can't even compare it with the rest of the nation..People are blown away by the unrealistic real estate market and it's nearly impossible to own a home. The recent real estate crisis has affected the market in Ojai as well, but still not inline with the rest of the country. Though many have been forced into foreclosure, the prices of bank owned properties is still way above the norm. A "deal" is $400,000 for a 2+1. Rentals are rare as many people who were force to sell, now rent.
Though gas is the second highest inequity around here, the others costs seems inline with other locales around the country. After all, we can pick our fruit off trees and vegetables grow yr. round.
As a single parent, I don't feel alone. There are many others in my situation. So, I choose to live in "poverty" to be in paradise. Not everyone can handle that type of lifestyle choice and I have often wondered if it's time to move on. But where?