I came to decide, however, it was not healthy to live in the city long-term with all the corruption, poverty, mess, violence, crowding, and traffic congestion. I told myself, and I longed for a simpler, richer life. I was tired of rude people with cell phones driving luxury BMW sedans. Almost every weekend I found myself fleeing the metropolis for the clean air and open spaces for honest workouts and peace of mind. After months of careful planning I sent out resumes, interviewed for teaching positions, landed the dream job , rented a moving truck, filled it with my books and few other possessions, and now live here in the Ventura River and Ojai Valley region of Ventura County.
Life here IS different.
The people are different. Ventura tends toward the working-class, the common man. This place is marked by quiescence and natural beauty, not the crowded hustle and bustle of humanity or strife and contention. That counts for much, in my opinion. I relocated to Ojai to get away from people.