Residents of Oxnard, who have also lived in San Diego, will often tell you that it is a bit like a smaller, mellower version of San Diego. It’s on the coast, has great beaches, and has an amazingly diverse scene that mixes Mexican and beach culture in a mellow town. If you’re looking to party you might head to Downtown Ventura, or Santa Barbara or even Los Angeles, but if you want to hit the beach and just grab a beer and chill then check out Oxnard.  

**Review of Oxnard from a local transplant:** 
*Hi! I actually lived in San Diego for 10 years (for undergrad and then worked), moved to LA (born and raised) for 5 years for grad school, and then moved to Oxnard (thought I was going to move back to SD but met my partner who is from Oxnard)! We are both in our early 30s and love living here. I often tell people it’s like a smaller San Diego. I like the chill environment of Oxnard, low traffic and low cost of living. I feel like it’s similar to San Diego in that it has dope breweries and bars, it has a bigger night life in Ventura but everything is so close here I don’t really think about it or miss it.*

For more reviews of Oxford from locals check out: [**The Buzz**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/oxnard?page=buzz)


Mini, Mellow, San Diego

Best Part About Oxnard? 

Some visitors to Oxnard complain about the fact that while the beach stretch of Oxnard is beautiful it’s completely unaffordable, and the inward parts get cheaper but are grittier and more dangerous. Your perspective on this might be based on where you’re coming from. If you’re coming from somewhere far from California, then sure, this might bother you. On the other hand if you’re coming from LA or even San Diego, then what others call “gritty” you’ll recognize as code for Mexican and homeless, and in fact much of the city is pleasant, beautiful and the cultural integration is what makes cities like Oxnard special. 

**Here's an expat talking about living in Oxnard:**
*I grew up in Oxnard , and moved to SD 4 years ago. I always think about moving back because the big city life can be overwhelming sometimes. There’s a lot going on all the time.
I don’t think Oxnard is as ghetto as people think, it’s not a downgrade but it is a bit calmer and slower lifestyle. There’s a lot more to do now, they city is growing and changing. A few breweries are popping up , the new shopping center thats off the 101 is cool.*


 Grit

Worst Part About Oxnard?

Oxnard is a beach town that has a mix of wealthy people living near the beach and largely working class families living in the inland neighborhoods. The beaches are beautiful and are dedicated to water sports culture. If you’re looking to drink boutique cocktails or eat fancier food then you’re going to head to Ventura. On the other hand if you’re up for a beer and amazing affordable Mexican food then you’ll stay busy when you aren’t hanging at the beach. 

If you want to see what happens in Oxnard check out the local calendar of events: https://visitoxnard.com/events

Lifestyle of Oxnard

Two things are often the case in Oxnard: 1) you are working or middle class, and in the ag, professional or service businesses, or 2) you are commuting elsewhere. Very little business is conducted inside the city limits so the only thing we will note is you should be ready for brutal drives. Traffic in SoCal is no joke. Think twice or even three times about living in Oxnard because it is cheaper and you’re planning to do daily commutes to LA. You will hate your life. 

Worklife of Frisco

If you’re a long-haul, work-from-homer looking for a quieter, less expensive place to live than LA, SD, or SF but want to be near the beach then Oxnard should be on your list. When traffic is quiet (it happens every once in a while) you’re a short drive from LA or Santa Barbara and you’ve got a cool social scene in Ventura just 15 minutes away. 


WFH Haven

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Oxnard has historically been almost exclusively a family-first city. More recent developments in downtown have changed that a bit with condos and apartments popping up for those who want a bit of downtown lifestyle but also immediate access to the beach. Most of the young profs who want to live in this area will go 10 miles up the road to Ventura Beach but if you want it a bit quieter and just have quick access to that scene then check out downtown. 
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Downtown

River Ridge and Victoria Lakes are beautiful golf club-focused neighborhoods west of Ventura Road. Most families, who can afford the price tag, will want to check the beach areas first though. Mandalay and Hollywood Beach are two great options with beautiful homes, beach access and safe, tree-lined streets. If you’re looking to save some bucks but still are looking for nice, quiet neighborhoods, check out Marina West, or River Park. 
- River Ridge/Victoria Lakes
- Mandalay/Hollywood Beach
- Marina West/River Park


Families

River Ridge

Oxnard has an amazing climate that retirees appreciate. Not too cold, not too hot, although it can be foggy so if that bugs you perhaps the Pacific Ocean isn’t for you. Seriously, from Seattle to San Diego it gets foggy at different times of the year. Setting that issue aside, retirees typically pick being near the water for beach walks and hikes and waterway access. Oxnard Harbor Peninsula and Oxnard State Beach areas are popular choices and Mandalay Bay is right across from the State Beach as well so we’d recommend starting in these areas if being on or near the water is in your retirement plans. 
- Oxnard Harbor Peninsula
- Mandalay Bay/Beach


Retirees

Oxnard Harbor Peninsula

Oxnard

**How is it to live in Oxnard? Possibly moving from San Diego.**

Hi! I actually lived in San Diego for 10 years (for undergrad and then worked), moved to LA (born and raised) for 5 years for grad school, and then moved to Oxnard (thought I was going to move back to SD but met my partner who is from Oxnard)! We are both in our early 30s and love living here. I often tell people it’s like a smaller San Diego. I like the chill environment of Oxnard, low traffic and low cost of living. I feel like it’s similar to San Diego in that it has dope breweries and bars, it has a bigger night life in Ventura but everything is so close here I don’t really think about it or miss it. Let me know if you have any other specific questions

**How is it to live in Oxnard? Possibly moving from San Diego.**

I grew up in Oxnard , and moved to SD 4 years ago. I always think about moving back because the big city life can be overwhelming sometimes. There’s a lot going on all the time.

I don’t think Oxnard is as ghetto as people think , it’s not a downgrade but it is a bit calmer and slower lifestyle. There’s a lot more to do now, they city is growing and changing. A few breweries are popping up , the new shopping center thats off the 101 is cool.

If you like latinas , then you won’t mind living in Oxnard. I may be biased but Latinas are incredibly good looking.

If you meet and make new friends you’ll find yourself at someone’s house on the weekend listening to a live band playing in their backyard. Eating carne asada and pounding modelos all night. I miss the culture from Oxnard LOL. I’ve made friends here in SD and the way we mingle is a lot different. We usually just go out brewery hopping or go to the beach. Rarely do I go to my friends house to chill.

I think you’ll enjoy Oxnard LOL. Well this was my Ted talk.

**How is it to live in Oxnard? Possibly moving from San Diego.**

Hi! I'm actually moving to Oxnard from San Diego (been here since 2008) in two weeks with my boyfriend. Also mid 30's. His family lives there so weve frequented Oxnard a lot.

Oxnard is definitely different, and much more low key, than San Diego. But it has its draws, like the best mexican food an panaderias around, and beautiful beaches. Also I love the abundance of little meat markets/neighborhood markets, great deals on all meats!!

And Fun fact, the beaches around Oxnard dont have any bars (ignoring you, rudder room lol) or many vacation rentals (mainly residential) off the sand, so they're very peaceful and quiet. Much diff than the PB/mission beach scene!

Then again if you're in to that, like others have said, Ventura and Santa Barbara are right around the corner.

I'm excited to explore the hidden gems here!! The Collection is basically the "downtown area of Oxnard, but honestly, I like the charm of the "original "downtown area by the train station. It's a cute place to wall around, although admittedly a little run down. And not so busy. But the homes around there are gorgeous to drive through.

Anyway enough ramblings. Let me know if you have any more questions! Good luck with your potential move!

**What is it like to live in Oxnard, CA?**

Pretty Fantastic really. Oxnard is fairly urban with some rich neighborhoods and a lot of poor ones. This is the city where working folk of Ventura County can still get by. Beaches are fantastic with a few good for surfing and all good for uncrowned fun in the sun.

We now have some great shoppping at the Collection. The best thing is the weather and the proximity to anything you want to do. Hiking/ camping in the mountains of Ojai are a hour east. Surfing, fishing , boating and all manner of marine activities are available year round. Food options are endless really, right in town you have almost every variety, and you can always head south to LA for some city action. Santa Barbara to the north is amazing for touring, shopping and eating.

I love it in West County, Oxnard. Any thing below the grade is good. Don’t think of Oxnard as a separate city- you have VENTURA and Camarillo right next door.

Oxnard, California