Reviewed movers in San Luis Obispo
"This company is a subsidiary of Wheaton World Wide. They moved me on August 1, 2018, from Fresno to Vallejo, CA. I purchased Full Value Protection insurance.. I have substantial damage to many pieces of furniture. I have sent photos and requested ..."
"I contracted with Hollister Moving and Storage to move me from Hollister to Wyoming. Though they ([NAME EDIT]) promised to 'take care' of me, it was absolutely my worst nightmare! They damaged or 'lost' everything that I own(ed). They now refuse t..."
"In early February of 2015 we hired this company to move our household goods into a rental home. The move was uneventful and everything progress smoothly. had a truck and trailer. Now, in December of 2015 we purchased a house and we contacted D.W...."
"I hired them to move a bedroom set consisting of the dresser with mirror, 2 night stands, a bed with headboard and footboard and a chest of drawers. $330. That's not a small amount of money for a relatively small job but get it...small job, same s..."
"Run don't walk away from this company. VERY unprofessional, incompetent, unreliable and undependable. It was made very clear to the quoting agent and this moving company on multiple occasions that my husband is disabled and would not be able to wa..."
"Watford blatantly overcharged us, some valuables are missing, and the owner takes zero responsibility. Absolute nightmare move with Watford. Avoid at all cost!"
"Title: Raptor Vanlines - A Dishonest and Manipulative Nightmare My experience with Raptor Vanlines has been nothing short of a nightmare, and I feel compelled to share my story to warn others. If I could give zero stars, I would. Liz, the person..."
"Do Not Reccomend, be warned. I hired this company because of its strong reviews and was willing to pay more for a professional, efficient move. Unfortunately, my experience was the opposite. I paid about $1,650 before tip, roughly $1,800 total, a..."
"This company held my belongings hostage and was demanding 100% more than the estimate. I contacted FMCSA and filed a report. They forced this company to deliver my belongings. They delivered a week late and dumped my belongings on my front yard. I..."
"PLEASE BELIEVE THE REVIEWS BEFORE YOU REGRET!!! I had a terrible experience with this household mover company. Navistar Van Lines hired Energy Moving Systems for the pick-up and storage, and R&M Transportation for the delivery. I contracted for a..."
"I would definitely avoid them. Great to work with before they have your money but afterwards is when the nightmare starts. Started off by changing my moving date by several days which wouldn’t be a big deal except that I was flying back on specifi..."
"[NAME EDIT] promised no extra costs. I ended up paying an extra $1000 hiden items. And my sofa was damaged. Their insurance said they cover $43. STAY AWAY *UPDATED POST VENDOR RESPONSE: Inaccurate/FALSE response from company. There was nothing ..."
What to know when moving to San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated area where 56.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree and 52.6% rent.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $95,386, making it financially attractive.
- The Reality Check:
- With a median gross rent of $1,859, housing costs can be high.
- Commute:
- Only 1.6% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $1,859/month in rent.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
San Luis Obispo has a population of about 29,995, with many residents enjoying a high level of education; 56.8% hold at least a bachelor's degree. The community is slightly more rental-focused, with 52.6% of residents renting their homes. However, the median gross rent is $1,859, which may be a consideration for prospective movers.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for low housing costs or a robust public transit system, as only 1.6% of residents utilize public transit.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,859, while the median value of owner-occupied homes stands at $943,500.
- Education level is high, with 56.8% of residents holding a bachelor's degree and a poverty rate of 14.9%.
- Only 1.6% of residents commute using public transit, indicating a high level of car dependency.
- The renter percentage is 52.6%, showing a balanced mix of renters and homeowners.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
Crime data for California shows a decrease in property crime and violent crime rates over the years.
- Violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100k, above the national average of 325.3.
- Property crime rate is 1,764 per 100k, also higher than the national rate of 1,546.9.
- Notable trend: The homicide rate has decreased by 44.9% since 2022, now at 3.2 per 100k.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Access to education is significant, with a total of 4 postsecondary institutions nearby.
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Central California School of Continuing Education
- Cuesta College
- Laurus College
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
While specific climate data is not available, there are several outdoor parks and recreational areas nearby.
- Dinosaur Caves Park - 4.7 stars (4,961 reviews)
- Morro Bay State Park - 4.7 stars (1,647 reviews)
- Avila Beach Park - 4.7 stars (1,423 reviews)
- Pismo Preserve - 4.7 stars (1,012 reviews)
Source: Google Places API.
Jobs & the Local Economy
San Luis Obispo County has a stable job market with a reasonable unemployment rate.
- Unemployment rate: 4.3% as of December 2025.
- Employed: 125,996 individuals in the county.
- Labor force: 131,722 individuals.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.