Considering Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

[Palum6o]

I may have a career opportunity to work for a company that is located in Carpinteria. I'm checking out the surrounding areas to see if a move like this would be feasible for me and my family. The company would relocate me and place me in temporary housing and provide assistance with sale and purchase. I will have an opportunity to take a tour of the areas to see where we would like to be prior to accepting anything. I thought I'd check in with all of you, as most of you are from CA and I've read other threads on Ojai and Ventura recently and from what I read, these areas are nice.

I don't need to be really close to work, I actually like having a drive of 35-45 minutes, especially if I'll be driving my 911 every day. I was told to check out Ventura, Ojai, Lompoc, and Buelton, (south, more east, north, and more rural respectively). We are a young, active family, my kids are newborn baby, 3 and 8 year old. How are the schools in these areas, elementary and HS? Family friendly? My kids love the beach, my wife loves the outdoors, nature etc.. Is the traffic as bad in this area as in LA? Ventura shows 35 minutes via google maps, but does this account for traffic?

I'm also pursuing an opportunity in the Bay Area (Peninsula), and fortunately I have some friends there that will help me figure this out. I've always liked the Bay Area and always dreamed of a time like now in my career where it may become a reality.

In either case, I'll be renting until we discover the surroundings and go from there. Eventually we would like to buy a house, and my income would most likely keep me out of Santa Barabara.

For reference, I'm coming from a relatively upscale mainline Philly suburb area. Any insights to these areas for a family with 3 children?

[nostatic]

Beautiful area. Traffic sucks - the 101 is always heavy south of and through Santa Barbara. If you have a choice I'd live north though you'll have to investigate schools, etc.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Beautiful area. Traffic sucks - the 101 is always heavy south of and through Santa Barbara. If you have a choice I'd live north though you'll have to investigate schools, etc.

All school dependent, of course. I would live north as well unless Ojai appeals to you. I grew up very near the area and, while it is different from when I was a kid, it remains heaven on earth around Ojai.

Best of luck.

[BeyGon]

I would like Summerland, about ten miles south.

[Burnin' oil]

I lived in SB and Summerland for awhile a few decades ago. Almost anywhere is great, but expensive. I would live in Carp, Summerland, Montecito (a wee bit pricey) or certain parts of SB. Buellton is a long drive and I am not a big fan of Ventura or points south.

Awesome place to live if you don't mind traffic and tourists.

[bmcuscgr94]

Check out the Santa Ynez Valley (Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos). Good schools (public and private), sububan lifestyle. Its a 30-45 minute commute from there to Santa Barbara, more south to Carpinteria. Time of day makes big difference in commute. Takes me 30-35 minutes from driveway to desk in downtown Santa Barbara if I leave before 6:00am, 40-45 minutes if I leave @ 7:00 am. Afternoon commmute is a roll of the dice as to what you'll encounter

Downside is area very touristy especially in Summer resulting in lots of afternoon traffic on the main roads and traffic headed to the Chumash Casino.
Hwy 101 through Santa Barbara has lots of construction going on that can slow down traffic

[Burnin' oil]

The only item on my bucket list, other than to not have a bucket list, is to be a homeless person in Santa Barbara.

bmcuscgr94 - do you take San Marcos Pass or 101 to work?

[bmcuscgr94]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

The only item on my bucket list, other than to not have a bucket list, is to be a homeless person in Santa Barbara.

bmcuscgr94 - do you take San Marcos Pass or 101 to work?

the pass since I live on the east side of the SY valley.

Pass can be quite enjoyable or a total nighmare to drive depending upon the other drivers (particluarly the a$$es that don't obey even the basic safey rules) or our friendly LE officers.

HWY 101 at least has two lanes in each direction but much more traffic.

All bets are off is there is any kind of traffic accident, natural disaster or fire. Commute becomes a nightmare. CalTrans just finished a project that closed two lanes of HWY 101 between Buelton and Santa Barbara for two weeks made the commute much longer. I took a week off and avoided as much of it as I could

[craigster59]

Live in Ojai and drive the P-car on the 150 past Lake Casitas. Drops you right into Carpenteria.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Live in Ojai and drive the P-car on the 150 past Lake Casitas. Drops you right into Carpenteria.

+1

Seems like there is always traffic from Carpinteria through Goleta on the 101. Ojai is great.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by Palum6o

I may have a career opportunity to work for a company that is located in Carpinteria. I'm checking out the surrounding areas to see if a move like this would be feasible for me and my family. The company would relocate me and place me in temporary housing and provide assistance with sale and purchase. I will have an opportunity to take a tour of the areas to see where we would like to be prior to accepting anything. I thought I'd check in with all of you, as most of you are from CA and I've read other threads on Ojai and Ventura recently and from what I read, these areas are nice.

I don't need to be really close to work, I actually like having a drive of 35-45 minutes, especially if I'll be driving my 911 every day. I was told to check out Ventura, Ojai, Lompoc, and Buelton, (south, more east, north, and more rural respectively). We are a young, active family, my kids are newborn baby, 3 and 8 year old. How are the schools in these areas, elementary and HS? Family friendly? My kids love the beach, my wife loves the outdoors, nature etc.. Is the traffic as bad in this area as in LA? Ventura shows 35 minutes via google maps, but does this account for traffic?

I'm also pursuing an opportunity in the Bay Area (Peninsula), and fortunately I have some friends there that will help me figure this out. I've always liked the Bay Area and always dreamed of a time like now in my career where it may become a reality.

In either case, I'll be renting until we discover the surroundings and go from there. Eventually we would like to buy a house, and my income would most likely keep me out of Santa Barabara.

For reference, I'm coming from a relatively upscale mainline Philly suburb area. Any insights to these areas for a family with 3 children?

Check out Ojai. Lots of outdoors stuff to do there.

[scottmandue]

I would live closer to work and leave the fun driving for the weekend... but that is just me.

I looked at it on a map... and just to reiterate... I would live in Carpentera... near the ocean for mild temperatures and good beaches right there.

All the fun places listed in this thread are easy striking distance.

Mind you I am a native Californian and love visiting/vacationing Ojai, Ventura, Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, etc. AND love driving.

I would think driving down the mountain would get old eventualy, getting stuck behind a motorhome will suck all the fun out of the drive (ask me how I know), and hitting a deer or coyote will suck even more.

[ronster]

Originally Posted by Palum6o

I may have a career opportunity to work for a company that is located in Carpinteria. I'm checking out the surrounding areas to see if a move like this would be feasible for me and my family. The company would relocate me and place me in temporary housing and provide assistance with sale and purchase. I will have an opportunity to take a tour of the areas to see where we would like to be prior to accepting anything. I thought I'd check in with all of you, as most of you are from CA and I've read other threads on Ojai and Ventura recently and from what I read, these areas are nice.

I don't need to be really close to work, I actually like having a drive of 35-45 minutes, especially if I'll be driving my 911 every day. I was told to check out Ventura, Ojai, Lompoc, and Buelton, (south, more east, north, and more rural respectively). We are a young, active family, my kids are newborn baby, 3 and 8 year old. How are the schools in these areas, elementary and HS? Family friendly? My kids love the beach, my wife loves the outdoors, nature etc.. Is the traffic as bad in this area as in LA? Ventura shows 35 minutes via google maps, but does this account for traffic?

I'm also pursuing an opportunity in the Bay Area (Peninsula), and fortunately I have some friends there that will help me figure this out. I've always liked the Bay Area and always dreamed of a time like now in my career where it may become a reality.

In either case, I'll be renting until we discover the surroundings and go from there. Eventually we would like to buy a house, and my income would most likely keep me out of Santa Barabara.

For reference, I'm coming from a relatively upscale mainline Philly suburb area. Any insights to these areas for a family with 3 children?

When I moved from SB in 2005 the traffic was bumper to bumper in the mornings and evenings because middle income wage earners had been forced out to less expensive places to live. Santa Maria was a prime area for less expensive living as was Carp, Oxnard, Ventura and Goleta and Ventura and Goleta were rapidly catching up in cost of living as was Ojai. Carp is not as high priced as SB and was considered its poor cousin but offered many of the amenities its rich relative offered.
Ventura gets crowded in the summer and gang problems in Oxnard sometimes spill over.
Ojai is beautiful and very hot in the summer but you'd probably enjoy the drive down the hill with your Porsche.
Goleta would be my choice though as the cost of living is less and you have the ocean, easy access to SB, all the big box stores SB won't let in and you don't have the long commute from Solvang, Buellton, Lompoc and Santa Maria because trust me you will get tired of it.

[daepp]

Don't forget La Conchita - I hear the housing there is cheap

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

Don't forget La Conchita - I hear the housing there is cheap

That huge, deadly landslide is re-vegetating nicely.

[Rapewta]

I lived (rented) in Summerland for two years. Worked all over the county. Try to
find a place in Carpenteria. One of the best spots in the area for surfing is Rincon, nearby. Your wife will love all the nice stores in Santa Barbara.
The big islands offshore change the climate there and it is a unique place to live.
IMHO Ventura is too far south and Buelton is too far north.

[Don Plumley]

Schools, Schools, Schools. Varies within neighborhoods and then you have to look at the progression to middle and high school. Highly correlated to housing prices. I'm a native Californian and love my State, but ouch do we have problems with schools. That will likely be the biggest shock (other than the fantastic weather). I can't offer advice on where, other than to please mind my caution about school quality.

Remember: Kids Happy = Mom Happy = Dad Happy.

[JavaBrewer]

I can't help with the area schools - all my experience in that department dates back to the '70s and early '80s. UCSB has a fine student body as does Santa Barbara City College

If you are going to work in Carp then I would not look further North than Goleta or South past Ventura. Once you are North of Goleta there is not much until Buellton/Lompoc/Solvang. Having to drive from that far North to Carp would get old really fast. Inland (Santa Ynez, Ojai) are ok but they get pretty warm in the summer. Santa Ynez is home to huge horse ranches and the seriously affluent. Lots of wine out there as well. If you have never been to Santa Barbara before you are in for a treat. I grew up there so I am biased but honestly it is one of the most beautiful places in all of the U.S. and probably in the top 50 spots around the world.

Good luck!

[nvr2mny]

Grew up in SB. Very beautiful city, VERY expensive to live in. Montecito is twice the price as SB. Lived in Carp for a few years, nice community. I would live there or Summerland as opposed to north, ie; Goleta. Buellton, Solvang or Santa Ynez would be a bit of a drive, but as mentioned here, San Marcos Pass is fun BUT traffic can be a major pain. STAY AWAY from Lompoc, it's a trashy city, I know because we lived there for 20 years. You can PM me if you want and I'd be happy to give you more info. Good luck in your new endeavors!

[Zeke]

The way I see it, the cost of living in SB is no more than anywhere else in SoCal EXCEPT the cost of housing. If the company is willing to mitigate the cost, jump right in. But the purchase of a home in the local area will be astronomical in price and the taxes would pay the rent on a nice apt.

Maybe not in SB. A one room rental in a house costs a grand.

In 10 years you may wish you did buy a house in SB. A 2-bed one bath will most likely cost a million.