Place Where You Live:

Ventura, California

A picture from Grant park overlooking the downtown area and the beach

Ventura is a little mix of everything. The sandy beaches and great surf just a 10 minute drive from my house( which I won’t deny, I take it for granted. It isn’t until you leave and are without the coast that makes you appreciate it so much. It gives me a sense of security being right by the coast). There is a mix of suburban neighborhoods across town, with an interesting downtown right by the beach. All the way to the beautiful back roads and rural places branching off from the road that makes Ventura great, Foothill. Without foothill road in Ventura, I think it would be a much more aggravating city to get around in, and it would lose some of the qualities that I like so much about Ventura. There are great canyon roads to go cruise on in your car or on a motorcycle; beautiful twisting roads and magnificent scenery just up the highway 33 or over to highway 150. You have to really get to know the area to appreciate it and take advantage of what it has to offer.

I didn’t always use to live in Ventura. I lived in Washington State for 11 years before moving here to Southern California, and let me tell you, I absolutely HATED it here! I couldn’t stand the heat, the people and location. As the years went by, I got to know the town and the people more and more. Getting to know the town better allowed me to feel more comfortable about where I was. The love for Ventura was starting to grow on me. I have lived here for 8 years now, and although Ventura can be boring at times, I am glad that I live here.

I asked myself 8 years ago when I moved here, “Why do people say Ventura is such a nice town to live in?… I hear it said all the time, but it doesn’t seem like a very enjoyable place to live.”After having lived here for an extended period of time, I can finally answer myself this question. Because Ventura is awesome!