I'm trying to decide on a move for a new job to either:

Lompoc, CA....
Tucson, AZ...
Vegas, NV...
Albuquerque, NM...

Specifically I guess I'm just wondering what the area is like, stuff to do/see, and racing venues/autoX events. Trying to get some insight from people who have lived at any of these places - what you might pick and why.

Thanks,

 

there is definitely nothing in LOMPOC..

 

your best bet is probably Vegas. They have racetracks and they usually hold events every weekend or so. Only downside is hot temps..

 

He's not just referring to racing
There really isn't anything near Lompoc.

 

We have PLENTY of racing events here in Tucson.

 

yup, not much of anything around lompoc, la is a couple hours away, bay area is like 4 hours away, and santa barbara is about half an hour. however, streets of willow is only a couple of hours away in terms of road racing.

 

not too far from MJ. The City of Santa Maria should give MJ a key to the city since its no longer a little dot in thomas guide.

 

Agreed. Though, Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo do have the best clam chowder in the world.

 

What about McKlintoks(sp?) with their mountain oysters?

 

Also, what about the Far Western Tavern in Casmaila! Something about that toxic dump being close to the cattle ranches sure makes that beef tender!

 

Chumas casino is not that far. Just ask for "Cha-ching" - my indian name

 

well, thanks for the info guys, but I found out Friday that I'll be heading out for Tokyo instead...

-Nic

 

Well that was not one of the choices given!! I call foul! I want my money back.

Isn't Buttonwillow race track near Lompoc?? Bakersfield is near Buttonwillow

 

mmmm, I feel like driving down to pismo now for some clam chowder. Central california is very boring when it comes to cars and racing. Especially when it comes to rx-7s.

 

how about the land where the big hand meets the lil' hand.

 

**** Vegas for jobs.
The whole job industry is fucked due to the casinos.
If you don't work for the casinos, you work for a company that supports the casinos.
If you don't work for the casinos, then you get paid crap.
The only exception is an emerging video game industry - PC / PS2 / Xbox etc., NOT video poker.
If you got kids, stay away from Vegas though.
The infrastructure can't handle the booming population influx, and it shows.
Public schools are overcapacity, and kids suffer because of it.
Don't be surprised water and sewer systems go on the fritz, cause both are over capacity.
If you're a gambler, my advice is stay away.
With the temptation of gambling 24 hours a day, there's potential for a lot of trouble.
Food is cheap.
No state income taxes - casinos take care of that; if you hit a big jackpot, only the IRS cares about it.
As for racing, there is Las Vegas Speedway (never been there) or Pahrump (where the Open Track Challenge starts and ends every year).
Pahrump is a dinky track, but it's cheap and good enough for weekend warriors.
Buttonwillow is like 3 to 4 hours(?) away - not too bad.

If you're a track junkie, it's hard to beat NorCal.
Laguna Seca in Monterey...
Sears Point in Napa...
Thunderhill in Willows (further north)...
There's supposed to be some big track being built in Reno by Don Panoz?
Normally mild weather, but summers can be hot.
Stay away from bay area unless you got big bucks.
Of course, Cali traffic jams are infamous.


-Ted

 

well Ted, I'm single, without kids, employed by the Air Force, hold no income tax as I'm a TX resident....but thanks for the racing info in case I ever end up in either of those places.

Sorry, didn't list Tokyo as I made posts in each regional section about bases possibly available in that region and then made a dream sheet according to that and several other factors.

Off to Tokyo in ~Jan....

 

Hey, good luck to you where ever you end up!


-Ted

 

Templeton, CA has a bunch of ricers. Every time I pass thru there to get fuel I see hondas with fart cans racing each other.

You can't complain about vegas. It's cheap out there compared to Cali.