[masraum]

Originally Posted by KNS

Santa Barbara is a beautiful place to retire but you have to ask yourself, as appealing as it is - does it make financial sense? A place like that could suck you dry. I was born and raised in SoCal so I get the draw but I couldn't imagine retiring there unless it was in a very economically friendly area. Or you were very flush with cash.

I've never lived in Cali, but I've been there several times often spending a week or more in various locations. I can definitely understand the appeal, but trying to retire there would be terrifying unless I was a multi-multi-millionaire. The costs are so high, especially for RE and therefore any other costs associated with RE. I'd need to be someone with a BIG retirement, but living a middle-class lifestyle/home.

I guess there are some less expensive places. I think I've heard that the east side of the state on the other side of the mountains is cheaper. I assume it also lacks some of the appeal that the coastal side has. I've never been to anywhere on the east side of the state.