Moving to Oxnard? Pros, Cons, and Neighborhoods (With Videos)
Why do the Dallas Cowboys love Oxnard? It’s likely because of its 11 miles of uncrowded beaches, a scenic canals area we like to call the Venice of Ventura County, and more.
Explore the vibrant shopping scene in north Oxnard and enjoy the charm of the historic downtown, including the iconic Heritage Square.
Video on Living In Oxnard
What Are The Best Places To Live In Oxnard?
Oxnard neighborhoods have something for everyone. 1) The north side has got it all with new construction, fantastic shopping access and even golf course neighborhoods.
2) The western coast vibe is laid-back and resort-like, with beautiful beaches and vast agricultural lands. 3) Don’t miss the bustling and historic downtown!
Homes and Neighborhood Diversity
Oxnard is slower paced as you get closer to the wester side with the beach and ocean. These neighborhoods are mixed in with large tracts of agricultural land as well. They include for example:
- A golf community (northwest).
- Beach condos and townhomes (southwest).
- Canal condos and dock homes.(southwest).
- The beachside communities of Silver Strand, Oxnard Shores and Hollywood Beach. (southwest).
Central and Eastern
More urban and densely populated neighborhoods some with adjoing agriculture..... commercial and industrial areas mixed in. These include:
-
- The historic downtown neighborhood (Central, light green).
- Large sections of suburban style neighborhoods with tract homes ranging from the 1950's to 2000's.
North Oxnard
North Oxnard is home to the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp, making it an exciting place for sports fans.
The Collection Shopping Center offers top-tier shopping and dining.
Stunning golf course communities, and easy access to world class beaches.
Newer neighborhoods like Riverpark and Wagon Wheel which are close to the Collection Shopping area and Highway 101.
Potential Oxnard Cons
- Housing prices have been increasing dramatically over the last couple years.
- Multi-generational families often live together just so they can afford to keep their house. They are forced to rent out a room. This makes it harder on parking.
- There's roughly a two-year wait for subsidized housing.
- The city is slow with services like trimming trees. There can be a 2 year wait.
- If there's a break in the sewer line in the middle of the street then the neighbors who live in that area will be charged by the city to fix that sewer line break.
- There are still large tracts of agriculture that you may or may not like living next to.
Ocean Access
Oxnard's coastline and Channel Islands Harbor are some of the most beautiful areas in southern California. There are 11 miles of wide, uncrowded beaches including a large, grassy state beach park. You'll marvel at all of the of sea life including dolphins, sea lions in the harbor, seals and a wide variety of waterfowl.
- There are FOUR free parking lots and street parking with access to the beaches. Most southern California beach towns charge for beach parking and are not nearly as accessible.
- The beaches have very few people on weekdays. They are not nearly as crowded in the Summer as the beaches in nearby Ventura.
- Beaches are dog-friendly (with leashes and some time restrictions during the day).
We love taking our dogs for long walks on all three beach areas, with amazing sunsets and views of the Channel Islands.
- Silver Strand Beach- There's an outdoor shower, restrooms and lifeguard tower. The beach is walking distance to a protected swim beach with no waves and funky little local shops.
- Hollywood Beach- Even on the busiest days this beach is way less crowded than Silver Strand. There's a protected cove....great for swimming and snorkeling.
- The Rudder Room(with a Key West vibe) backs up to Hollywood beach with cocktails, lounge chairs, volleyball courts and ocean views.
- Oxnard Shores- Has a LARGE grassy park, boardwalk and trail system through the sand dunes (handicap accessible). There's a large free parking lot south of the park! Includes playgrounds, barbecue, exercise/yoga classes, dogs allowed, concerts and a handy cap accessible boardwalk.
- Many parking lots fill up quickly on the weekends and summer holidays.
- Sometimes people bring their dog to the beach off-leash.
- Tar collects on the beach at different times, so you may need a little dawn soap and water to clean your feet.
- The water can be cold! There's only a few Summer/early Fall months where you'll see people (mostly kids) swimming without wetsuits.
- It can be windy in Oxnard in the Winter and Spring. This creates lots of drifting sand and paint damaged houses.
- The beach areas are in a tsunami danger zone.
- There is a disabled power plant on the north end and a naval base on the very southern end of Oxnard's beaches. However, there's around 10 miles of beaches in between that are wide and gorgeous.
Channel Islands Harbor And Canals
- The harbor (with over 2000 boat slips) has lots of sea lions, seals, dolphins, birds and fish.
- There are 4 free parking lots and a public boat launch.
- The harbor has it all (sports fishing, whale watching, Channel Islands tours..... jet ski, paddle board, kayak and sailboat rentals.
The Mystic Whaler and American Tall Ship Institute provide non profit youth education. More info at https://www.channelislandsharbor.org/
The harbor connects to a large canals area.......with dock homes, shops, walking trails, grassy park, benches and town square. You can rent a guided Venetian gondola for a tour.
Because the Kiddie Swim Beach gets heavily used in the Summer, somtimes it can get a little trashy. However, it is common to see local residents out picking up the trash.
Lifestyle And Non Beach Activities
There is an abundance of cheap and free, community activities. This includes:
- Classes, concerts and plays at the Performing Art Center.
- Traditional music, dance and drama at the Cultural Arts Center.
- A comedy club, winery, museums, car shows and an arts walk near the beach
- Festivals- Salsa, Multicultural, Steampunk and Jazz.
- Commuity college classes, concerts, plays and performances.
- 3 different shopping and restaurant areas near the harbor, a farmers market, music festivals, swap meets, museums, art and car shows.
Cons
- Oxnard closes down on the earlier side as compared to larger cities. There's a lack of overall nightlife. If you're looking for a coastal city with more nightlife, check out....the Pros and Cons of Ventura, CA.
- Residents tend to have loud kids and adult parties at home. Some parties go late into evening. Many residents complain about this and often call the police to shut the party down.
- There's also fireworks year-round. It can be May or September and somebody shoots off a few loud fireworks.
- Some shopping areas in town are run down. This includes the Fisherman's Wharf area next to the harbor.
Weather and Air Quality
Oxnard is rated ideal for weather by the National Climatic Data Center. The average temp is in the mid 50’s to mid 70’s throughout the year., so most homes will not have air conditioning. It's hardly ever too hot, even when other parts of the state are baking.
In recent years there have been lots of fires unfortunately in California. Despite that, there were only five red days for air quality in the Oxnard area.
- Oxnard feels noticeably colder than Ventura (neighbor to the north). That's because it is windier in Oxnard. When it is a cloudy, cooler day you will feel it combined with the dampness from the ocean.
Cost of Living
Cons
- Oxnard's cost of living is considerably higher than the rest of the country.
- The average entry-level home in Oxnard is $650,000, with pockets that are slightly lower.
- Food, childcare, gas, water, electricity and taxes are all considerably higher compared to the rest of the country.
Pros
- Oxnards downtown is a modern urban center that includes an Historic Plaza, park and farmers market. There are over 40 mom and pop resturants, eclectic boutiques, thrift stores, antique shops, restaurants, bars, and historical sites.
- The newly built -Collection Shopping Center- is close to the downtown as well. It features a Whole Foods, REI and many other chain stores. It is an incredibly popular shopping and entertainment area.
Cons
The sales tax is higher in Oxnard than Ventura, so many residents will actually go to Ventura to shop.
Traffic and Travel
Oxnard has an Amtrak station in the downtown for travel to coastal cities north and south.
Traffic is far less than other nearby cities like Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Oxnard with a population around 200,000, is located in Western Ventura County right off Highway 101. It is a short drive to to the neighboring small cities of Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme.
Cons
- Most of Oxnard is further off of Highway 101, which can make commuting more difficult to other cities.
- Victoria and Harbor Roads have become increasingly busy and high speed. Sometimes bicyclists and pedestrians have been hit. There is not sufficient police patrolling these areas to slow the traffic down.
Is Oxnard a Safe City To Live In?
For more information on crime, there are statistics at Neighborhood Scout and other online sources.
The city provides an effective app called Oxnard 311 so residents can report graffiti and other issues for city services as well.
Schools
For more information on Oxnard school statistics, you can check out Great Schools and other online sources.
Oxnard also has a 2 year community college that gives incredible support to students. The classes are very affordable and the school has great reviews online.
The college offers a two-year associate's degree and degrees and certificates in 26 fields.
Economy
Pros
- Oxnard's economy is a mixture of defense, international trade, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture. There are lots of farms and in particular strawberry fields.
- There is a busy private airport and a thriving international port nearby in Port Hueneme. It is the only deep water port in between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- There is tons of local produce that you can buy at roadside stands including wonderful juicy strawberries, mangoes oranges and lemons.
Cons
- Oxnard has a slower job growth and higher unemployment than the national average.
- It's difficult to commute from Oxnard to other cities as most neighborhoods are further from Highway 101.
- Many neighborhoods are close to the flight path of the airport. So if you don't like the sound of smaller planes, you would want to avoid those neighborhoods.
- The abundant agriculture provides dust and possibly chemicals being put in the air.
Would you like to get such a clear picture of your top neighborhoods....that you feel like a local?
- For our VIP clients, we (Bart and Keziah) will take you on an in depth area tour......and can even guide you to some spots that you may not have thought of.
- We routinely talk to homeowners in neighborhoods. That way we can get you the most up to date info on what its actually like to live there.
5 star rated real estate agents, Bart Potter and Keziah Aaliyah. We help you buy and sell Ventura County homes.
Moving to Oxnard? Pros, Cons, and Neighborhoods (With Videos)
Why do the Dallas Cowboys love Oxnard? It’s likely because of its 11 miles of uncrowded beaches, a scenic canals area we like to call the Venice of Ventura County, and more.
Explore the vibrant shopping scene in north Oxnard and enjoy the charm of the historic downtown, including the iconic Heritage Square.
Video on Living In Oxnard
What Are The Best Places To Live In Oxnard?
Oxnard neighborhoods have something for everyone. 1) The north side has got it all with new construction, fantastic shopping access and even golf course neighborhoods.
2) The western coast vibe is laid-back and resort-like, with beautiful beaches and vast agricultural lands. 3) Don’t miss the bustling and historic downtown!
Homes and Neighborhood Diversity
Oxnard is slower paced as you get closer to the wester side with the beach and ocean. These neighborhoods are mixed in with large tracts of agricultural land as well. They include for example:
- A golf community (northwest).
- Beach condos and townhomes (southwest).
- Canal condos and dock homes.(southwest).
- The beachside communities of Silver Strand, Oxnard Shores and Hollywood Beach. (southwest).
Central and Eastern
More urban and densely populated neighborhoods some with adjoing agriculture..... commercial and industrial areas mixed in. These include:
-
- The historic downtown neighborhood (Central, light green).
- Large sections of suburban style neighborhoods with tract homes ranging from the 1950's to 2000's.
North Oxnard
North Oxnard is home to the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp, making it an exciting place for sports fans.
The Collection Shopping Center offers top-tier shopping and dining.
Stunning golf course communities, and easy access to world class beaches.
Newer neighborhoods like Riverpark and Wagon Wheel which are close to the Collection Shopping area and Highway 101.
Potential Oxnard Cons
- Housing prices have been increasing dramatically over the last couple years.
- Multi-generational families often live together just so they can afford to keep their house. They are forced to rent out a room. This makes it harder on parking.
- There's roughly a two-year wait for subsidized housing.
- The city is slow with services like trimming trees. There can be a 2 year wait.
- If there's a break in the sewer line in the middle of the street then the neighbors who live in that area will be charged by the city to fix that sewer line break.
- There are still large tracts of agriculture that you may or may not like living next to.
Ocean Access
Oxnard's coastline and Channel Islands Harbor are some of the most beautiful areas in southern California. There are 11 miles of wide, uncrowded beaches including a large, grassy state beach park. You'll marvel at all of the of sea life including dolphins, sea lions in the harbor, seals and a wide variety of waterfowl.
- There are FOUR free parking lots and street parking with access to the beaches. Most southern California beach towns charge for beach parking and are not nearly as accessible.
- The beaches have very few people on weekdays. They are not nearly as crowded in the Summer as the beaches in nearby Ventura.
- Beaches are dog-friendly (with leashes and some time restrictions during the day).
We love taking our dogs for long walks on all three beach areas, with amazing sunsets and views of the Channel Islands.
- Silver Strand Beach- There's an outdoor shower, restrooms and lifeguard tower. The beach is walking distance to a protected swim beach with no waves and funky little local shops.
- Hollywood Beach- Even on the busiest days this beach is way less crowded than Silver Strand. There's a protected cove....great for swimming and snorkeling.
- The Rudder Room(with a Key West vibe) backs up to Hollywood beach with cocktails, lounge chairs, volleyball courts and ocean views.
- Oxnard Shores- Has a LARGE grassy park, boardwalk and trail system through the sand dunes (handicap accessible). There's a large free parking lot south of the park! Includes playgrounds, barbecue, exercise/yoga classes, dogs allowed, concerts and a handy cap accessible boardwalk.
- Many parking lots fill up quickly on the weekends and summer holidays.
- Sometimes people bring their dog to the beach off-leash.
- Tar collects on the beach at different times, so you may need a little dawn soap and water to clean your feet.
- The water can be cold! There's only a few Summer/early Fall months where you'll see people (mostly kids) swimming without wetsuits.
- It can be windy in Oxnard in the Winter and Spring. This creates lots of drifting sand and paint damaged houses.
- The beach areas are in a tsunami danger zone.
- There is a disabled power plant on the north end and a naval base on the very southern end of Oxnard's beaches. However, there's around 10 miles of beaches in between that are wide and gorgeous.
Channel Islands Harbor And Canals
- The harbor (with over 2000 boat slips) has lots of sea lions, seals, dolphins, birds and fish.
- There are 4 free parking lots and a public boat launch.
- The harbor has it all (sports fishing, whale watching, Channel Islands tours..... jet ski, paddle board, kayak and sailboat rentals.
The Mystic Whaler and American Tall Ship Institute provide non profit youth education. More info at https://www.channelislandsharbor.org/
The harbor connects to a large canals area.......with dock homes, shops, walking trails, grassy park, benches and town square. You can rent a guided Venetian gondola for a tour.
Because the Kiddie Swim Beach gets heavily used in the Summer, somtimes it can get a little trashy. However, it is common to see local residents out picking up the trash.
Lifestyle And Non Beach Activities
There is an abundance of cheap and free, community activities. This includes:
- Classes, concerts and plays at the Performing Art Center.
- Traditional music, dance and drama at the Cultural Arts Center.
- A comedy club, winery, museums, car shows and an arts walk near the beach
- Festivals- Salsa, Multicultural, Steampunk and Jazz.
- Commuity college classes, concerts, plays and performances.
- 3 different shopping and restaurant areas near the harbor, a farmers market, music festivals, swap meets, museums, art and car shows.
Cons
- Oxnard closes down on the earlier side as compared to larger cities. There's a lack of overall nightlife. If you're looking for a coastal city with more nightlife, check out....the Pros and Cons of Ventura, CA.
- Residents tend to have loud kids and adult parties at home. Some parties go late into evening. Many residents complain about this and often call the police to shut the party down.
- There's also fireworks year-round. It can be May or September and somebody shoots off a few loud fireworks.
- Some shopping areas in town are run down. This includes the Fisherman's Wharf area next to the harbor.
Weather and Air Quality
Oxnard is rated ideal for weather by the National Climatic Data Center. The average temp is in the mid 50’s to mid 70’s throughout the year., so most homes will not have air conditioning. It's hardly ever too hot, even when other parts of the state are baking.
In recent years there have been lots of fires unfortunately in California. Despite that, there were only five red days for air quality in the Oxnard area.
- Oxnard feels noticeably colder than Ventura (neighbor to the north). That's because it is windier in Oxnard. When it is a cloudy, cooler day you will feel it combined with the dampness from the ocean.
Cost of Living
Cons
- Oxnard's cost of living is considerably higher than the rest of the country.
- The average entry-level home in Oxnard is $650,000, with pockets that are slightly lower.
- Food, childcare, gas, water, electricity and taxes are all considerably higher compared to the rest of the country.
Pros
- Oxnards downtown is a modern urban center that includes an Historic Plaza, park and farmers market. There are over 40 mom and pop resturants, eclectic boutiques, thrift stores, antique shops, restaurants, bars, and historical sites.
- The newly built -Collection Shopping Center- is close to the downtown as well. It features a Whole Foods, REI and many other chain stores. It is an incredibly popular shopping and entertainment area.
Cons
The sales tax is higher in Oxnard than Ventura, so many residents will actually go to Ventura to shop.
Traffic and Travel
Oxnard has an Amtrak station in the downtown for travel to coastal cities north and south.
Traffic is far less than other nearby cities like Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Oxnard with a population around 200,000, is located in Western Ventura County right off Highway 101. It is a short drive to to the neighboring small cities of Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme.
Cons
- Most of Oxnard is further off of Highway 101, which can make commuting more difficult to other cities.
- Victoria and Harbor Roads have become increasingly busy and high speed. Sometimes bicyclists and pedestrians have been hit. There is not sufficient police patrolling these areas to slow the traffic down.
Is Oxnard a Safe City To Live In?
For more information on crime, there are statistics at Neighborhood Scout and other online sources.
The city provides an effective app called Oxnard 311 so residents can report graffiti and other issues for city services as well.
Schools
For more information on Oxnard school statistics, you can check out Great Schools and other online sources.
Oxnard also has a 2 year community college that gives incredible support to students. The classes are very affordable and the school has great reviews online.
The college offers a two-year associate's degree and degrees and certificates in 26 fields.
Economy
Pros
- Oxnard's economy is a mixture of defense, international trade, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture. There are lots of farms and in particular strawberry fields.
- There is a busy private airport and a thriving international port nearby in Port Hueneme. It is the only deep water port in between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- There is tons of local produce that you can buy at roadside stands including wonderful juicy strawberries, mangoes oranges and lemons.
Cons
- Oxnard has a slower job growth and higher unemployment than the national average.
- It's difficult to commute from Oxnard to other cities as most neighborhoods are further from Highway 101.
- Many neighborhoods are close to the flight path of the airport. So if you don't like the sound of smaller planes, you would want to avoid those neighborhoods.
- The abundant agriculture provides dust and possibly chemicals being put in the air.
Would you like to get such a clear picture of your top neighborhoods....that you feel like a local?
- For our VIP clients, we (Bart and Keziah) will take you on an in depth area tour......and can even guide you to some spots that you may not have thought of.
- We routinely talk to homeowners in neighborhoods. That way we can get you the most up to date info on what its actually like to live there.
5 star rated real estate agents, Bart Potter and Keziah Aaliyah. We help you buy and sell Ventura County homes.
My husband and I are looking to retire at least partially through the year if not all year in California. We have approximately 5 years until I can retire. We love California atmosphere and weather near the coast. We have resided in Iowa our whole life. We have been vacationing once or twice a year in California the last few years. What we spend on vacations we could probably spend on 6 months rent in California. Would love any advice you could give us. Thanks
Hi sounds great Michelle. We can relate as before moving here, we vacationed every year in California. Let’s talk over the phone or zoom, so we can answer all your questions. I’ll send you an email as well. Thanks, Bart
My husband and I are also looking to retire partially in California, and we are interested in learning more about Oxnard. Any additional insight would be most helpful.
Hello Ina, we have so much information on Oxnard to share with you and would love to answer any questions you may have.
I’ll send you an email so we can set up a time to talk.
Thanks,
Bart
Hi Bart,
My 22 year old son has been offered a job at Port Hueneme starting in February 2024. We are in San Diego. It will be his first time living on his own other than college roommates and being local. Do you have any suggestions on were he should look for an apartment? His closest friends will be in Simi Valley so he could probably use some social life! Thank you!
Hi Linda,
Sure thing. If you would like to give us a call or email, we could make some recommendations. You can reach us at 805-256-2813, or team@living-inventuracounty.com
Thanks,
Bart
I am a senior who lived in Oxnard for 7 years. I enjoyed the city tremendously especially in the neighborhood close to the ⛱️ beach. I had to move away because of Covid and not being able to continue working.
I’m living in Cuernavaca, México and just love the city. Ahhh, retirement is wonderful.
Glad you are enjoying it…..thanks for the comment!