Living in Ventura, California: The Perfect Blend of Beachside Charm and Small-Town Feel? (Pros and Cons Revealed!)

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Map Ventura County

Living in Ventura County is at the crossroads of three major highways, making it easy to commute to Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, and the mountain town of Ojai. However, traffic from tourists increases in the summer and on weekends, especially downtown due to new condo construction.

What Are The Best Places To Live in Ventura?

Living in Ventura, you are always close to the beach. Downtown is busy with nightlife, restaurants, and the boardwalk. Midtown has local shops, the Ventura Mall, and the community hospital. East of Midtown, neighborhoods become more spread out and suburban.

Ventura City and Neighborhoods Map

Living in Ventura has many unique neighborhoods:

• Westside: Arts District with highly rated restaurants, historic homes, and a mix of homes from different eras.
• Downtown: New condos, historic homes, and tract homes.
• Midtown: Urban-suburban lifestyle with local shops, the Community Hospital, and the Pacific View Mall.
• Pierpont: High-end beach homes, local shops, and restaurants.
• Hillside: High-end homes with ocean and city views.
• College: Dense suburban area near the community college, chain stores, the hospital, and the mall.
• Thille/Montalvo: Suburban homes with lots of shopping and entertainment.
• Poinsettia: Estate living with views of mountains, ocean, Channel Islands, and Ventura skyline.
• Juanamaria, Saticoy, and West Saticoy: Suburban feel with newer homes, away from the downtown bustle.

Is Ventura A Beautiful Place To Live?

Living in Ventura has many beautiful parks, botanical gardens, and great hiking spots like Arroyo Verde Park and Harmon Canyon Preserve. The city also has many art galleries, local restaurants, and community hangouts. The Ventura Raceway and County Fairgrounds host events throughout the year.

Outdoor Pedestrian Mall

Ventura’s pedestrian mall features unique boutiques, free parking, music venues, a historic movie theater, and outdoor restaurants. The large Farmers Market on Saturdays is a must-visit, stretching several blocks up the mall.

Ventura Harbor Village

Ventura Harbor Village is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, sailboat rentals, guided fishing tours, and whale watching. It also has a large live-aboard boating community, unique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and entertainment like live music and escape rooms.

A Thriving Arts Community

Living in Ventura has a strong arts community with many historical sites, antique stores, art exhibits, and classes from local artists. The Rubicon Theatre and Jest Improv offer theater and improv classes. The Bell Arts Factory provides studio space and arts education, enhancing community life.

Other Shopping Areas

While living in Ventura has larger stores like Target, Vons, Lowes, and Barnes & Noble, it’s the small businesses that make the city special. Locals support these unique shops, adding to Ventura’s charm.

Cons – Arts and Lifestyle

During festivals, downtown can become very crowded, making parking difficult. Most local shops close earlier than those in bigger cities. Beach access parking is limited on weekends and holidays.

What’s The Weather Like?

Living in Ventura enjoys sunny weather from 65-80 degrees. It can get hotter in northern and hillside areas during summer. Winter, May, and June can have cooler, misty days. Fire danger increases in the Foothills due to open spaces.

Cost of Living

Living in Ventura is 34.9% more expensive than the national average. Entry-level homes start at around $750,000. Childcare costs about $12,000 annually, making it one of the most expensive places in the country. The high cost of living has driven many young professionals to live elsewhere.

Is Ventura Safe?

For detailed crime information, check out the city of Ventura’s crime map. Living in Ventura is generally safe, with a strong community and active neighborhood watch programs.

Ventura School District

Many Ventura schools are highly rated, with excellent reviews for educators and family involvement. Foothill Technology High School ranks in the top 1% of U.S. high schools. Ventura also has an affordable two-year junior college, making it great for families.