brian

Hi, I live in Boulder and would love to move to Santa Barbara. I am a little tired of cold winters and to hot dry summers. I am 28 and have a big Harley so I miss not riding most of the year. What area is the best to move to, ocean or hills? Is it really pretty there? Is it to crowded like a lot of Cali? Does the La smog make it up here? please help..Brian

xxx

Not much problem with smog. But you do have all of the tourists to deal with. And don't worry about making the choice between the hills and ocean, that choice will be made for you. Hardly any available real estate and what there is, is extremely expensive. I hope you are transferring to a very high paying job. But all that said, it is a beautiful place. And yes, you'll find lots of good riding. Highway 154 is a start, though it does get congested with traffic.

Marcie

My daughter goes to college in S.B so I visit fairly frequently. You'll love it. I'd give anything if I could afford to live there. I know prices are also high in Boulder so you may be a bit prepared. Perhaps you may have to settle for another town just outside of S.B.which wouldn't be the end of the world.
Good Luck!

sss

There aren't very many towns near by to choose from for residential. Goleta and Ventura are the closest and both tend to come with high prices as well. And no, Boulder and Santa Barbara are not comparable in real estate prices. Make sure to have yourself a great source of income before you make the move. Decent jobs are hard to come by in Santa Barbara. And keep in mind that $50K in annual income is considered poverty level.

Bennie

I hope you are rich, aside from practical matters as to where you could live because of that, that affects the ambience, you know. I would prefer to live in a town with a variety of people and not such a gap between the wealthy elite and the servant class who have to live around there to work for them. I suggest you move to San Luis Obispo instead or any place other than one of the wealthiest beach resort towns in the US.

SLO

While San Luis Obispo would be a great place to live, please be aware that the cost of living is very high in this college town as well. Can't find a shack to live in for under $300K. Though I must admit, that same shack would run you double in Santa Barbara.

xxxx

Though it's a little more inland, you might want to check out the Paso Robles or Atascadero area on Hwy 101 above San Luis Obispo. Much cheaper housing and has some great motorcycling areas. Be sure to check out the Poso Saloon.

mtngod

would san diego be a better choice, I like green mountains and beach?

SDSam

I live in San Diego and love it. Beaches we have but you will not see any green mountains. Basically San Diego is a desert and the hills around it are devoid of vegetation except for scrub bush and what has been planted. There are pine covered mountains at the higher elevations but they are not visible from the metro San Diego area.