The San Luis Obispo area presents a unique combination of rural living and a sophisticated cultural environment. Nestled among the hills, lined with creeks, and close to the ocean, the City offers a delightfully mild climate and small-town charm to the residents who have chosen it for the quality of life and “sense of place.” San Luis Obispo (“SLO” to its residents) is situated in the beautiful Central Coast Region of California, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Community assets also include Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, one of the nation’s highest ranked universities, and Cuesta College, which serves more than 11,000 students at the community college level. SLO’s downtown was named the Best Downtown in the West by Sunset magazine, and the city is frequently found on many state and national lists as one of the best places to live. The downtown has also been transformed and benefited from major re-investment by due to a public-private partnership program requiring retrofit of unreinforced masonry buildings. The community has a low crime rate, clean air, excellent schools and many outdoor and cultural activities. With all this to offer, it is no wonder SLO received recognition as the “happiest” city in North America in Dan Buettner’s book Thrive.
