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, 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.  

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 Mexicans and the homeless. Much of the city is pleasant and beautiful, and the cultural integration is what makes cities like Oxnard special. 




Mini, Mellow, San Diego

LookyLOO Review of 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 out at the beach. 

If you want to see what happens in Oxnard, check out the local [**calendar of events**](https://visitoxnard.com/events).

We highly recommend visiting Oxnard and staying in the community in a [**VRBO**](vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [**partnership with Expedia**](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

Lifestyle 

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 

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?

**Comfortable_Map_2128**
10mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I love downtown Oxnard, right by the park! There is a ton to do. The city is always doing festivals and events at the park. I’ve been to the tamale festival twice. They had a Selena that was small but fun to go to. They had a multi cultural festival in October with live music. I caught the end of that one and it was fun. There’s small mom and pop taco stands and restaurants all over downtown. Heritage square has festivals, a coffee bar, a high end Italian restaurant with a 1920’s themed bar in the basement that is really cool. Plus, you’re 5 minutes from the beach! Ventura is cool, but more expensive. Love the downtown Oxnard area. Wish I would have bought a home here when prices were reasonable. Did I mention there are tons of taco trucks all around there!

For more reviews of Oxford from locals, check out [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/oxnard/reviews)

Reviews of Oxnard from Locals

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

**Linux-Neophyte**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

It's like any other place in the US but specifically in southern California, you got patches of good neighborhoods and not so good neighborhoods. But in general oxnard is super safe. We moved out here from Pasadena in LA county. I think oxnard is the perfect place, the weather is amazing, you're still close to LA for concerts, art shows, etc. Oxnard is also a beach city, tons of beaches and activities like channel island are at your reach. Great hiking and camping sites are also available. If that weren't enough, you're about an hour away from wine country. You have ethnic diversity, bilingual schools, activities for further learning at oxnard College and cal state channel island.

We also have good entertainment at the collection, we just saw Russell Petters a few week ago and jo koy last year. Theres the Strawberry festival, Anderson paak event. The weather is enough to warrant moving here though, specially if you can afford the housing out here.

I'd probably just avoid La Colonia at night, but it's good during the day. Honestly, Oxnard has to be one of the safest places in the US. No doubt about it. It's certainly safer than LA and any metropolitan area.

**Demand_Dry**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

The weather is the best in the nation with the local climate... The ppl are family oriented for the most part... But if u want trouble, u can def find it... It was a old farming town but getting more and more modern with constant growth. Decent downtown area... Good amount of a homeless population, but they are more community than problem.... Thats where the drugs are and u can be quite entertained by the circus they bring. But 99% are harmless, and just want their fix. South is main gathering for that... There u go.... The Collection is our hub for entertainment

**Comfortable_Map_2128**
10mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I love downtown Oxnard, right by the park! There is a ton to do. The city is always doing festivals and events at the park. I’ve been to the tamale festival twice. They had a Selena that was small but fun to go to. They had a multi cultural festival in October with live music. I caught the end of that one and it was fun. There’s small mom and pop taco stands and restaurants all over downtown. Heritage square has festivals, a coffee bar, a high end Italian restaurant with a 1920’s themed bar in the basement that is really cool. Plus, you’re 5 minutes from the beach! Ventura is cool, but more expensive. Love the downtown Oxnard area. Wish I would have bought a home here when prices were reasonable. Did I mention there are tons of taco trucks all around there!

Oxnard, California

Where The Farm Meets The Coast

Looklyloo Score: 89

Reviews

What's it like to live in Oxnard?