Hi Peter, Congratulations on choosing this area as your next destination. This place is magical! Unlike Tim who already answered your question, I am newer to this area. I was practicing real estate for 9 years in the Los Angeles area before coming here. I would love to help you with your quest to get settled here. Check out the following site http://northcountynewcomers.org This is a group of active people like you I meet with once a month. Looking forward to meeting you and your spouse. Contact me at 805-712-4278.

Hi Peter - All 3 communites offer what you are looking for in your price range. There are minor climatic differences but likely not enough to be a major part of your decision. There is more on the market in Paso or Atascadero just due to the fact they are larger then Templeton. I have lived here all of my life and been a full time Realtor here for almost 29 years. Feel free to call me on my toll free direct line of 1-800-727-1990 or email me at tim@timbryan.com and I will be glad to answer your questions in more detail.

Hello Peter,

All of theses areas are nice and have something to offer. One question should be do you want well water? Paso Robles will probally be on a well for that size of lot, and you will probally sit just out side of town. Atascadero on the other hand would probally be city water and they have a mix of homes and parcel sizes. Templeton is probally the most expensive of of the three and can be either well or city water, I have seen both (well for ag use) on one property. In your price range you could get a beautiful home in Templeton and be inbetween Atascadero and Paso Robles. If you would like I would be happy to send you information on our area, events, properties, etc... Just email your address and I will get that off to you. Our Next Wine Festival Is May 15th. Thank You Lisa Long

Hi Peter,

I moved to Atascadero 2.5 years ago after looking at all the areas you mentioned. I likeed Atascadero due to San Luis Obispo, Templeton, and Paso Robles all being approximately 10-15 minutes away.
Atascadero is a very rural, bedroom communtiy, with no traffic problems.
Although there are no large stores in the town, with the exception of The Home Depot, we just head to Paso or San Luis to go shopping.
Homes in Templeton on larger lots and in nice areas are expensive, whereas Paso has a lot of homes on acreage at a great price.
I did not buy in Paso is due to all the growth over the years. It has become very busy, lots of new homes and stores, and when the market rebounds, will grow even more. That did not interest me and I wanted to stay in a small town.
There are a lot of nice restaurants and stores in Paso, and it offers a lot of diversity . Personally I would prefer to take the 15 minute drive and have the best of both worlds in Atascadero. It all depends on what you are looking for. A smaller town that does not offer the amenities Paso does, or a town that has a lot of growth. There are a lot of foreclosure properties in Paso, yet a lot of them are not in town, but located a few miles out of town or towards Lake Naciamento.
There are a lot of foreclosures in Atascadero too, but they are in most part, condo's and residential homes. There are some homes on acreage yet they tend to be on the outskirts of the town which may appeal to you.
I am currently looking for a home in Arroyo Grande and have not listed my home yet. It is 2,360 feet, very well built, in 2003, 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths a large office,three car garage, on 3.25 acres with plenty of room for a pool. It is located at the end of a half mile private paved road, so there is nottraffic, and an electric security gate for even more privacy. Due to the location and all the privacy, I never lock my doors or take the keys out of my cars, even while on vacation. The propery is fenced and cross fenced to keep the deer from eating my landscaping, and two plus acres of fenced areas for livestock, and it also gives a lot room between homes. All the homes are on at least 3 acres, some on more, it is very quiet, literally 3 minutes to the freeway on/off ramps, and 10 minutes to the grocery stores and less to get to town. Although all these are so close, it is very rural and one would never know these ammenities are so close.
If you would be interested in knowing more, please let me know!

Good luck in your decision....it is not an easy one!
Mindy

Hi Peter,
I'm curious how your home search info is going. Born and raised here there are alot of things to consider. Each town is slighly different. In your retirement most people do like to consider proximity to medical services. So what are your thoughts on that? Templeton is the only town with the hospital. It is centrally located however. Do you have experience with septic systems or will you want a home on city sewer? We have so many properties in Atascadero which are on septic therefor limiting there use for a pool as the septic tank and leach may or MAY NOT use alot of the .5 acre. Do you love hot or milder weather. Would you like to be closer to the lake or beach for your drive. Do you want a view or not. Is shopping a concern. Do you mind driving 20 minutes to go shopping?
It is usually easy to spot quality construction however, I would never recommend you buy a home without a home inspection anyway. I hope the last month or two have given you plenty of time to find enough information out on our magnificent California Central Coast. If not please feel free to email me should you need any questions answered.
Shari Schramm, Broker/Owner
Shari Schramm Real Estate
ShariSchramm@yahoo.com


I

Hi Peter,

I just saw your question and I moved to Atascadero two years ago. I am looking for a new home and would like to lease or sell my current home.
It sits on 3.25 acres, is 2,365 ft., three car garage, approx. one acre of landscaping, and plenty of room for a pool of any size. My neighbor has a pool maintainence business and I am sure he would be able to help you with findiing the right advice regarding a salt water pool.
If you haven't found a home let me know!

Mindy

try looking at 1877 Rancho Loma Way in San Miguel, already has a pool, out in Horse country siiting on the back patio watching the sunset is ideal

Hello Peter,

Atascadero, Templeton and Paso Robles are usually grouped together as 'North County'. All three have benefits and it depends on what your particular tastes are. All three have very nice downtown corridors. Paso Robles is a very up and coming city with the wine industry moving in. It features multiple golf courses, a state of the art gym and of course lots of wine. Templeton is for the person looking for the small town feel. The parcels are typically larger and more spread out and commercial is limited to small business. Atascadero is easily accessible and people are drawn to it by its central location between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. Atascadero is a bit more wooded and has the nature feel that some are looking for.

As for the swimming pool, I would consult an expert on pools. There are several in the area. Usually you are looking for a parcel that has room for the pool that is flat enough. In this area of rolling hills, that is usually the challenge.

I am happy to send you some homes that meet your criteria. You can contact me at rhinodonna@kw.com or at my cell phone (805) 441-7737.

Sincerely,

Donna King
Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty - North County
rhinodonna@kw.com
(805) 441-7737