Ahhhh, life in the ‘Nard….

Message from our Chair - Stacy Miller

National Geographic Explorer, Sunset Magazine, Heal The Bay, Sparling’s Best Places to Live all are raving about Oxnard
 
Would you be surprised to learn that in addition to being Ventura County’s largest City, Oxnard was named one of the 20 Happiest Cities in the United States by National Geographic Explorer?
 
“It’s no surprise that California is home to many of the happiest places in America, including Oxnard/Thousand Oaks/Ventura. With its combination of great weather, beaches, and nearby national forests, adventure awaits around every corner” stated the article by National Geographic Explorer and best-selling author Dan Buettne.
 
The rankings were based on National Geographic’s study that established 15 metrics that signal happiness - the metric included eating healthy, learning something new every day, civic engagement, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups.
 
Did you also know that we have some of the highest rated beaches in the STATE?
 
Heal the Bay rates Oxnard’s beaches as some of the best in California. The water is tested weekly and our beaches were rated A+ every single week of the year. Oxnard is one of only 37 beaches in California to receive an A+.
 
In addition, Sunset Magazine rated Oxnard 7th in their rating of the Top 20 Game-Changing Places to Live.  “This coastal community south of Ventura has easy access to the Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands. Its Latino majority infuses the bustling downtown with authentic eateries and annual festivals around strawberries, tamales, and salsa,” they stated.
 
Oxnard also boasts a fabulous natural resource – a national park and national marine sanctuary right off our shores and very accessible.
 
Many of us that live and work here believe Oxnard is our “little gem.”  We enjoy excellent air quality, year-round first-rate climate, diversity, easy access to outdoor activities, a low unemployment rate and comparatively speaking, little traffic.
 
According to Sparling’s Best Places to Live, job growth in Oxnard has been positive.  Jobs have increased by 0.36% over the past year.  The average salary in Oxnard is $62,349. The median home cost in Oxnard is $429,300. The unemployment rate in Oxnard is 5.90%, with job growth of 0.36%. Future job growth over the next 10 years is predicted to be 34.81%.
 
With all of these “tail winds,” I believe that far and away our best assets continue to be the amazing people who live and work in Oxnard and are committed to improving this amazing place.
 
The Chamber looks forward to our collective efforts at increasing the success of local businesses, the economy and our quality of life here in the ‘Nard.
 
Until next time…
 
Stacy

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