Hey folks, My partner and I are Crime rate is something to consider -Santa Barbara sits at 436.1 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $2,302 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thoughts? Appreciate any input. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes
2 Replies
real_avery19
same here
40 upvotes
David W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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