Cheaper cities (housing) around San Luis Obispo.

As the title says. Any input on this?

 

The title is confusing.

Are you new to SLO?
Cheaper cities in SLO county?
Are you looking for new houses?

Are you working or going to school and where?
How far are you willing to commute to work or school?

 

I might have to relocate.
Yes
Doesn't have to be new.

Working in SLO city.
No more than 40 miles each way.

 

There are a few big commuter cities near SLO.

Atascadero is up the grade and though it’s the longest commute, it’s pretty cheap compared to the others. It’s also the place to be if you’re more conservative or want a larger home. However, there’s much less to do here if you’re young, and very few students or recent grads in the area.

Los Osos is the easiest commute and the second cheapest, and it’s by my personal favorite state park of all time - Montana de Oro. Great access to the ocean, a small community with good food, and easy access to SLO in maybe 15 minutes. However, it’s a town of retirees and commuters, so there isn’t much night life.

my he next easiest commute is south on the 101 with a 20 minute drive. The rent in Avila, Pismo, and Arroyo Grande isn’t much cheaper, but you get both beautiful ocean views as well as a much better nightlife and social scene than Atascadero, Los Osos, and even Morro Bay. The 101 can get clogged on the commute, however, as this area is probably the best overall choice and is therefore the most popular for commuters. There’s also the Oceano Dunes SVRA nearby, which have packed dunes that Tacoma’s handle quite well if you like wheelin in the sand!

Morro Bay up highway one is another good choice, as like Shell and Los Osos, it’s near the ocean. It’s the second largest commute, however, and it’s not exactly cheap. Tourists run the city more than any other, but because if that you have a charming downtown and great food.

In a nutshell, there aren’t any bad choices here. Atascadero if you prefer dirt to water, then the others if you like living by the ocean. If you prefer nightlife and amenities, go for the southern cities. If you like the charmed tourist life, go for Morro. If you want a sleepy beach town, try Los Osos.

 

Outstanding info. Thank you.

 

All this info is totally spot on. You might also consider Templeton (between Atascadero and Paso Robles), a bit more rural and low key. Unless you want dunes and tons of central valley tourists, I would avoid Pismo Beach. Arroyo Grande has some cool areas further east, in the valley.

I'll throw in another vote for Los Osos, and a vote for Cayucos. Also sleepy, a bit closer to Big Sur and more isolated coasts.

 

If I had to pick anywhere on the Central Coast, I’d live in Cayucos, MB, or Los Osos. That said, you'll have a lot of fog and it's isolated from major shopping stores for basics like groceries incase you're considering those factors heavily. There's some in Los Osos, however no big box stores like Walmart yet.

Atascadero and Templeton (North County) will be hot (not that you're new to that in Moreno Valley) in the summer and fall. Santa Margarita’s nice too. You'll compete with a fair amount of commuters working regular shift hours driving in and out of town.

Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Aroyo Grande (South County) and the 5 cities area in general are a little more sunny than the northern beach cities, but you'll have more fog than North County. Nipomo where @DTFtacoma has (had?) his shop may be within striking distance, too. Here you'll be able to shop at "regular" American big box stores. Another really great area to live, imo, if you could find a house is in the rural countryside out around Lopez Lake. The natural landscape is beautiful and you can wheel out to Pozo there.

 

My 1st choice would be Templeton. Then Atascadero. Then Paso. I haven’t lived there but have spent a lot of time up there.