Alright, I work in finance and Household incomes average around $118,039 in Goleta. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,693 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
7 upvotes
28 Replies
coastal_piper98
great question, following
40 upvotes
Madeline Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
bostonlocal2020
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
34 upvotes
Paisley Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 57, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
33 upvotes
Kai S.
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Carter E.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Clara Brooks
accurate
28 upvotes
Tyler W.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Claire G.
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Elizabeth Roberts
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Charlotte Taylor
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Robert Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Willow Martinez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Colton Edwards
spot on
22 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
honestly same experience here
17 upvotes
Pamela T.
This.
17 upvotes
Peyton C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
16 upvotes
Evan J.
I've lived in South for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is solid
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Silas Williams
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
12 upvotes
Violet C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Nathan
spot on
11 upvotes
Easton Rogers
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Skylar Foster
This.
5 upvotes
Aurora T.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Hunter Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Daniel S.
Bought a house here in 2022 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
2 upvotes
Michael Hernandez
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
