Thoughts on Santa Barbara?

[litlady]

Just wondering what any of you who live in/near Santa Barbara or have been there think of it. I have an interview there this week and of course there is no insurance I will get the job but I want to prepare for that possibility. Though I lived most of my life in LA, I have never even stepped foot in Santa Barbara. I have even been to Ventura and Oxnard but not there. My mother likes the shops and cultural scene there. However, I was a bit nervous looking at the apartment prices. Any thoughts on the city? Any possibility of affordable living there?!

[tularetom]

1. Godawfulest real estate market on earth

I don't think rents and sales prices for homes there softened as much as they have in the rest of CA.

Plus everybody that lives there wants to be the last person that moved there. Sort of a pulling up the drawbridge mentality.

But if you can find someplace to live there is no finer place in the world.

[Kerrytravelers]

2. Mr. kt and I adore Santa Barbara. We, too, live in LA. We spend at least one weekend there each

summer. We also always stop for dinner each time we drive home from my parent's place in the San Francisco area. I always get the impression that the city itself is more Blue, but the county is more conservative, if that is important to you.

We try to take the Amtrack up there, as it lets off right on State Street at the beach. If you need a cab, I'd call 866-767-3222. We use them and have always been pleased. They start at 1.75 and 3.00 per mile.

[XemaSab]

3. If you move there, please take me with you!

I was paying 1100 for a 1-bedroom apt, which is really no worse than the bay area. :shrug:

[Cleita]

4. Great little city with all the amenities and then some, however, it's a bit

expensive. You might work there and commute from one of the surrounding communities that have less expensive rents. Or you might go an extra 100 miles north to San Luis Obispo, around where I live, which is much more affordable but very livable as well. I would look into the job situation first though because the recession is hitting us.