Looking to snatch up your own slice of paradise along California’s Central Coast by moving to Santa Barbara? Thanks to a temperate Mediterranean climate, relaxed vibes, and coastal and mountain views complete with a selection of local wineries, Santa Barbara earns its nickname as “The American Riviera”.
Folks who live here have the privilege of spending their free time surfing in the Pacific, hiking mountain trails, biking winding paths, soaking up sun on the pristine beaches, and indulging in the city’s excellent food, drink, and culture scene. Home to Santa Barbara City College and the University of California at Santa Barbara, the city also has some of the best elementary, middle, and high schools in the state.
Is this all sounding a bit too good to be true? Like any area, there are a few downsides. (Alas, there’s no Camelot in real life.) Unfortunately, Santa Barbara’s cost of living is one of the highest in the country, and the area faces an increasing risk of wildfires, a concern that’s shared by many regions of California. Still, no matter how you slice it, this place offers up a piece of paradise pie that is pretty irresistible.
So whether you’re finally taking the plunge on moving across the country or making a local move, we’re here to serve up a taste of Santa Barbara through our five favorite neighborhoods in town. We’ll also point you in the direction of additional neighborhoods and suburbs to keep on your radar as you search for your new home.
| Curious about life in this coastal city? Read up on our top 10 things you need to know about living in Santa Barbara before you get here. |
Our Top Five Favorite Spots To Live In The Santa Barbara Area
Even though Santa Barbara is small — just 21 square miles — the city’s handful of neighborhoods offer different experiences with their own pros, cons, and sense of community. With that in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at our top five neighborhoods in Santa Barbara to give you the lowdown on vibe, location, who your neighbors would be, activities, schools, housing costs, and more. That said, if you’re moving to Santa Barbara, there’s hardly a wrong choice in a place this beautiful — and you’re rarely ever more than 15 minutes from the beach.
| Where should I live in Santa Barbara? There really aren’t any no-go areas of Santa Barbara, so you’ll have to decide where to live based on your personal priorities. Do you want to live on the beach or in the mountains? Is being near a good school important to you? Do you want a yard or a view? Do you want to be able to walk places or be more remote? These are the questions to ask yourself and consider as you learn more about each neighborhood. |
Downtown Santa Barbara
Head straight for the big heart of this small city if you’re looking to be surrounded by beautiful Spanish architecture, culture, and some of Santa Barbara’s staple eats. This is where you’ll find most of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment — all pretty much within a walkable (or bikeable!) eight-by-four-block area. It’s got the right amount of charm, is delightfully vibrant, and has a good mix of residents, from young professionals to families to retirees.
Downtown housing options offer a good selection whether you’re looking for an older single-family ranch home, bungalow, or cottage; or a more contemporary apartment, condo, or townhome. Unsurprisingly, it’s an extremely popular place to live and finding available homes and rentals can be challenging. According to Zillow, the typical home value in this area is $1.13 million as of April 2021. Average rent in Downtown Santa Barbara is $2,075 a month*, but rentals vary greatly here and you could easily find something for less (and definitely for more).
As far as schools go, Downtown Santa Barbara is home to the Anacapa School, a small, successful, and sought-after private school for grades 7-12. According to Niche, the student-teacher ratio here is 6:1, and an impressive 100% of graduates go on to attend a 4-year college. The downtown area is also home to the Alta Vista Alternative High School (which has a B+ grade on Niche) and The Colleges of Law, a private law school (unaccredited by the American Bar Association).
*Average rent sourced from RentCafe as of June 2021
Isla Vista
If you’re moving here to attend University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), chances are you’ll end up living — or at least looking — in Isla Vista. This neighborhood is a natural for students and faculty alike thanks to its adjacent proximity to campus. Rentals reign in this area and you’ll find a lot of coffee shops, cheap eats, and tons of things to do — just keep in mind they’re all geared towards the university crowd.
Rental options here cover multi-unit apartment buildings, houses and house shares, and duplexes. According to RentCafe, as of June 2021, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to over $2,000 a month for most rentals in Isla Vista. On the plus side, a lot of the rental properties are contemporary (or at least renovated inside) and feature dishwashers, in-unit or in-building washer-dryers, and other modern amenities.
Even if UCSB isn’t what’s bringing you to town, Isla Vista could still be your spot if the college atmosphere is what you crave. Bonus? This neighborhood edges right up against the beach. There are also a lot of parks, and Isla Vista is a very bike-friendly community.
| Pro Tip: Start your search here early to get the best selection and avoid the rush just before the start of the school year. |
Mission Canyon
Located between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Mission Canyon sits less than a mile north of the famous Old Mission Santa Barbara, a living historical landmark founded by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen for the Franciscan friars in 1786 and known for its graceful Spanish architecture. If you’re looking here, you’ll need to decide if you want to live in the canyon or valley (both are equally appealing). While this is a residential community (read: not a lot of shops, restaurants, or entertainment), the area has big draws for locals and tourists alike — Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and local events like the extremely popular Old Spanish Days festival that honors the city’s cultural heritage and history.
Homes here offer a little bit of everything, including contemporary builds, ranch homes, historic homes built in the 1920s and ‘30s, cottages, bungalows, and Santa Barbara’s ever-present Spanish-style homes. Many are built into the hillside, setting up great views. Of the recently sold homes in this area, most listed for between $1 million and $3 million* and were anywhere from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet. Apartments are a rare find.
While the plentiful trees and vegetation keep residents close to nature, the neighborhood itself can feel slightly removed from the rest of Santa Barbara (a pro for some), and the fire risk is very real. There are no schools in the immediate area, and the neighborhood is mostly made up of long-term, well-established, and well-heeled residents.
*Based on Zillow listings of recently sold homes, June 2021
The Mesa
Want a neighborhood with a view, youthful spirit, and historic heart? Santa Barbara’s blufftop Mesa checks these boxes and then some. Come here for winding bike paths, beach access, decent schools, plenty of parks and playgrounds, proximity to Santa Barbara City College, and a diverse collection of residents that keep this neighborhood young in body and at heart. To get here is a literal uphill journey, but ask anyone who lives here and you’ll find no complaints.
Tract-style homes are the predominant choice thanks to the building boom back in the 1950s when the neighborhood was first gaining steam, and more contemporary style housing (Mediterranean, ranch, and cottages) can also be found. The Mesa is divided into three distinct areas: East Mesa, West Mesa, and Alta Mesa. According to Zillow, the typical home values in East Mesa and West Mesa are about $1.69 million and $1.55 million respectively, as of April 2021. And Alta Mesa, being further from the coast, has a typical home value of about $1.42 million. RentCafe shows rent in East and West Mesa averaging about $3,500 a month, while Alta Mesa’s average rent is $2,600 as of June 2021.
The Mesa is home to Washington Elementary School, which is ranked 7 out of 10 by Great Schools and the 10th best public elementary school in Santa Barbara County by Niche. Some downsides to living the high life up in Mesa are that you’ll be lacking in any real entertainment or grocery store options (outside of the popular and pricey gourmet health food market Lazy Acres), but for many residents that’s hardly enough to tip the scales.
Riviera
One of Santa Barbara’s most sought-after neighborhoods, Riviera gives residents access to the Mediterranean good life with its large, gorgeous Spanish-style homes and relaxed, easy-breezy vibe. Located 10 minutes from Downtown, this neighborhood draws in a slightly older crowd of professionals, retirees, and folks that are looking to tuck in, stay awhile, and enjoy the quiet life with a glass of local wine. Residents in Riviera trade having front and back yards for balconies and decks — where they are more than happy to soak in the stunning views of either the Santa Ynez Mountains or Downtown Santa Barbara.
Since residents tend to enjoy living here, homes don’t often go on the market — when they do, they usually list for somewhere from $1 million to $3 million and up*. Homes here are large (bordering on mansions), usually have at least three bedrooms, and between 2,000 and 5,000 square feet. A huge plus of living so high up is that your deck views are rarely interrupted by the fog that can plague the rest of the city below. Notice to parents: there are no schools in Riviera.
*Based on Zillow listings of recently sold homes, June 2021
Other Santa Barbara neighborhoods, suburbs, and surrounding cities to check out:
- Montecito
- Hope Ranch
- Carpinteria
- Goleta
- Summerland
- Funk Zone
- San Roque
- Solvang
- Upper East
- Los Olivos
| New to CA? We’ve got the goods on the Golden State. Read up on these 14 things you’ll want to know if you’re planning on moving to California. |
Planning Your Move To Santa Barbara
With any kind of move, it’s never too early to start planning, even if it’s just doing research. And because no two moves are the same, finding a flexible, personable, and customizable moving service is key. Need to store your things before or after your move? No problem — with PODS moving and storage you can keep your portable moving and storage container as long as you need. Need to change the dates for delivery or pick-up? PODS is flexible with scheduling too.
We’ve even got you covered with all the info you need to know before, during, and after your move, from tips for getting accurate moving cost estimates to how to pack to avoid damage during long-distance moves and much more on our Containing the Chaos blog.
Based in Los Angeles, Katherine Alex Beaven is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to the PODS blog. She has moved 20+ times because she loves to experience new places.
