Last Updated on November 16, 2022 by Lily Connel
San Luis Obispo offers a unique college town experience, with the convenience and excitement of living in a large and modern city. This small city offers residents certain benefits like museums, shopping trips to nearby cities like Paso Robles or Avila Beach, and entertainment options such as movies at Madonna Plaza or Bowl-O-Rama; yet SLO also has its school district (one that is ranked as one of the best in California), plenty of free activities for families (like Concerts by the Creek on Thursday nights during summertime) and an extremely low crime rate. The main disadvantage of living in San Luis Obispo is that houses are extremely expensive and so are other living expenses. You will need to make a large income to be able to afford to live in San Luis Obispo. More people live in rural areas than in cities, which makes San Luis Obispo more rural than other places.
Pros and Cons Of Living In San Luis Obispo – The Table Comparison
| Serial | Pons Of Living In San Luis Obispo | Cons Of Living In San Luis Obispo |
| 1. | The weather is amazing. It’s sunny and warm almost every day, with only a few days of rain each year. | The cost of living is high compared to other places in California. |
| 2. | The cost of living is relatively low. Housing costs are much lower than in other coastal California cities, and the overall cost of living is lower than in most major cities. | Traffic congestion is a problem, especially during peak hours. |
| 3. | There’s plenty to do outdoors. From surfing and hiking to wine tasting and farmers’ markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy outdoors in San Luis Obispo. | It can be difficult to find affordable housing. |
| 4. | SLO has a great art scene. There are lots of theatres, galleries, and music venues in town, as well as a growing number of art studios and galleries. | There is a lot of competition for jobs. |
| 5. | SLO is close to the beach. The Pacific Ocean is just a short drive away, and the beaches are some of the most beautiful in California. | The weather can be unpredictable, with strong winds and sandstorms possible year-round. |
| 6. | There are plenty of job opportunities. With a large university and a thriving tech sector, there are plenty of job opportunities in San Luis Obispo. | Air quality is not always great, especially during the summertime when the wildfire risk is high. |
| 7. | It’s a great place to raise kids. The schools are excellent, there are lots of kid-friendly activities, and the cost of living is low. | There are limited dining and entertainment options downtown compared to larger cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles. |
| 8. | The people are friendly and welcoming. San Luis Obispo is known for its friendly and welcoming residents, who are always happy to chat with strangers. | Limited public transportation options make it difficult to get around town without a car. |
| 9. | There’s a strong sense of community. Everyone knows their neighbours, and people are always willing to lend a hand to those in need. | The beaches are not as nice compared to other parts of California. |
| 10. | SLO has thriving local businesses. There are lots of independently-owned establishments in town that keep the SLO economy strong. | There are very few public parks in the city, so it can be difficult to find outdoor recreation space. |
| 11. | The cost of dining out is reasonable, with many options for every budget. | The cost of child care is around $1,000 per month for one infant. |
| 12. | San Luis Obispo offers something for everyone, no matter what they enjoy doing or how much money they have to spend. | The malls and shopping centres have a limited selection of stores and restaurants, making them less interesting than regional shopping hubs like Los Angeles or San Francisco. |
| 13. | There are plenty of events and festivals throughout the year, including Fiesta Week each April and Avila Beach Blues Festival in September, for entertainment for all ages all year round! | It can take a long time to commute from San Luis Obispo to large metropolitan areas on the coast, especially if there is traffic congestion during peak hours because the roads were designed with shorter commutes in mind. |
| 14. | You can find just about anything you need within walking distance downtown—from clothing stores to cafes to pharmacies. | Limited access to higher education opportunities makes it more difficult for young people to find career opportunities in the area. |
| 15. | There are several farmers’ markets throughout the week, all year round. | There are not many job opportunities for people without a college degree. |
| 16. | SLO has a flexible bar scene with lots of one-off bars and restaurants with unique themes and atmospheres to explore! | The cost of living is higher than in other nearby cities, such as Santa Maria or Paso Robles. |
| 17. | The California Polytechnic State University in SLO provides a wealth of entertainment, from karaoke nights in Downtown San Luis Obispo to live performances at the annual Fireworks Festival held every July 4th. | It can be difficult to find housing that is close to your job or school. |
| 18. | Experience history in San Luis Obispo’s many historical buildings and landmarks, such as the Madonna Inn or the Edna Valley Railway Bridge over Lake Lopez! | The city is not as culturally diverse as other areas in California. |
| 19. | People in San Luis Obispo value local businesses and organizations more than most places do—which means that when you support a local business, you’re supporting the whole community! | There is a lack of nightlife and cultural events compared to larger cities on the coast. |
| 20. | San Luis Obispo is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in California, from the rolling hills and vineyards of Edna Valley to the rugged coastline and rocky bluffs of Avila Beach. There’s no shortage of natural beauty in SLO! | The city is growing quickly, which has led to traffic congestion and a shortage of affordable housing options. |
All You Need To Know About San Luis Obispo
Living here is great for those who want to enjoy San Luis Obispo’s wonderful proximity to nature along with all the amenities of a big city. If you enjoy hiking, you can take a quick trip to Morro Bay National Estuary or the San Simeon State Park. If you are more of an avid hiker, there are trails up at Cuesta Ridge or Mc Clelland Hill that offer spectacular views of the city, mountains, and cherry orchards.
San Luis Obispo is also known for being one of the most bike-friendly cities in California which means many families enjoy living here because they have easy access to all kinds of amenities without having to worry about owning cars. The cost of living here is ridiculously low, so you will find yourself with plenty left over after payday for trips out to nearby beach towns like Pismo Beach Avila Beach, and Cayucos.
Living in San Luis Obispo means never having to worry about finding a great restaurant to eat at because there are hundreds of them from fast-food chains like In-N-Out Burger and Chili’s, to hipster cafes for hanging out with friends called the Velvet Underground which has board games on the tables for customers, coffee shops where you can read or get some work done (like Cafe Fiore), and restaurants that offer wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood, steaks, sushi, or fine French cuisine.
Additionally, most people agree that SLO has one of the best climates in California with not-too-hot summers and not-too-cold winters. Monsoon season brings us frequent thunderstorms in late July/August but they usually don’t last more than an hour or two and they are a really fun experience to witness (especially if you are inside watching it from the window of a warm cafe).
Conclusion
San Luis Obispo is a great place to call home and offers residents a wonderful mix of city conveniences and nature experiences. It’s no wonder that many people choose to retire here! If you are thinking of making the move, do some research on the different neighbourhoods in town because they all offer something unique. For example, if you have kids and want them to be able to walk to school then look into neighbourhoods like Broadmoor or South Hills because they both have highly-rated schools within their boundaries.
