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Best industries in Santa Barbara right now

Hey, It's a a smaller city city with about 88,024 people. The median home value here is around $1,466,400, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $101,672, which feels pretty solid for the area. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
17 upvotes

3 Replies

Santiago M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
William Gray
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
15 upvotes
Cora Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 52, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
15 upvotes
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