Life in Santa Barbara? (Manhattan Beach: rent, crime rates, home)

[jc76]

I'm 32, no kids, soon to be seperated from my wife (long story). I need to "get away" for awhile just to clear my mind. I also have S.A.D. and hope to be outta here (Indiana) by the time the snow and cold hits. I don't require much to live on really so I'm not looking to go out there and buy a bazillion dollar beach house, or live like a king, just wanna hang around for awhile and enjoy not being in snow. I thought about LA, but SB seems much nicer. Been to LA a few times, never been to SB. My cousin and his girlfriend are moving out there (SB) to be with her father and I may stay with them as well.
Just kinda want some insight to life in SB. I don't plan on moving there permanent, just kinda "escaping" for a few months or so. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Capt. Dan]

First-bring lots of cash! SB is very expensive.
Second-brush up on your Spanish. It will come in handy.
Third-After you get settled in take a road trip north on California highway 1 and take along a good camera. If you need a few days of freedom and relaxation this will be great. Some of the finest scenery in America.
Good luck

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by jc76

I'm 32, no kids, soon to be seperated from my wife (long story). I need to "get away" for awhile just to clear my mind. I also have S.A.D. and hope to be outta here (Indiana) by the time the snow and cold hits. I don't require much to live on really so I'm not looking to go out there and buy a bazillion dollar beach house, or live like a king, just wanna hang around for awhile and enjoy not being in snow. I thought about LA, but SB seems much nicer. Been to LA a few times, never been to SB. My cousin and his girlfriend are moving out there (SB) to be with her father and I may stay with them as well.
Just kinda want some insight to life in SB. I don't plan on moving there permanent, just kinda "escaping" for a few months or so. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

You don't have to brush up on your Spanish. Rent or buying is more but it's a wonderful place to escape for a while and all the better if you have family or friends to stay with. Who knows you might like it so much and stay. I drove down there for the day from LA and ended up moving there 30 days later. Are you going to be looking for a job?

[tigerclaws]

Job scene is really bad. I moved out because though i had a decent job it was good enough by SB standards. There are not that many good employers out there and housing is exorbitant.

my 2 cents.

[Mesawoman]

Very expensive. Very crowded. Traffic is a nightmare. I hate driving through SB. And no, you do not need to know spanish whatsoever lol. I'd definitely go the route of staying with friends and contributing to their rent/utilities while you visit.

[jc76]

Originally Posted by Raggy dee Ann

You don't have to brush up on your Spanish. Rent or buying is more but it's a wonderful place to escape for a while and all the better if you have family or friends to stay with. Who knows you might like it so much and stay. I drove down there for the day from LA and ended up moving there 30 days later. Are you going to be looking for a job?

If I like it I may stay a little longer than a month. I hear it's crazy expensive that's why I only plan on visiting. Indiana is cheap...dirt cheap, so California prices will probably having me heading back sooner than later, but we'll see. Thanks for all th einfo, keep it coming!:-)

[jillz]

Originally Posted by jc76

If I like it I may stay a little longer than a month. I hear it's crazy expensive that's why I only plan on visiting. Indiana is cheap...dirt cheap, so California prices will probably having me heading back sooner than later, but we'll see. Thanks for all th einfo, keep it coming!:-)

I have lived in SB for over 20 years and love it. Yeah, there is traffic but us locals know when to stay off the 101 to avoid it (no where near LA bad). You do not need to know Spanish (I know enough to ask for a beer and where the restroom is and I have never needed it here). I don't think everything is expensive here but housing certainly is but that doesn't seem like an issue for you. Going out to eat can be expensive but it can also be very cheap. Just depends on what you want. Gas is high but going down. The weather is beautiful and about to get more so (Fall is a great time of year). SB could be just what you need during your life transition. If you have ANY questions, please feel free to DM me or ask here.

Jill

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

First-bring lots of cash! SB is very expensive.
Second-brush up on your Spanish. It will come in handy.

To the OP, you're stying with someone for a while, so your housing expenses should be reasonable. Housing, low-paying jobs and high competition for those jobs and housing from university students are the usual barriers to living in Santa Barbara.

Spanish could come in handy, but it's far from required. But by learning a little Spanish you'll find it fun to traverse the city and know what some of the funny street names mean: Cannon Perdido Street = Lost Cannon; De la Guerra Street/Plaza = Of the War; Salsepuedes Street = Get Out if You Can. Not sure about the others (Cannons? Wars?) but the last one was evidently named such because a long time ago farmers used to dump their waste in that area and often got their horse-drawn wagons stuck in what was a muddy marsh. The area became known as ¡Sal se puedes!

Santa Barbara is a great place to recoup. I say, "do it!"

[Jakehorror]

Thanks everyone!
I see alot of people talking about learning Spanish...Well, where I live has the highest population of hispanics in the entire midwest. They came here for the factory work, but the economy here lies on the back of the RV industry, so needless to say with the gas prices, the RV industry is plummeting, and the unemployement rates and crime rates are soaring...so, where I am going with this is that I have had to learn to work, live, and TRY to communicate with Hispanics and don't mind it really, though the music can get a bit annoying.
Thanks for all your help everyone

[sms2279]

I was born and raised in SB and I'm am 29 yrs old. It is a great small communitiy for someone who wants to "get away." I myself, will be moving to the East Coast in April because SB has changed so much in the last 10-15 yrs that I don't connect with it at all.
It's not somewhere that anyone my age could afford a decent nice home with a yard or any property, unless I want to play close to a million dollars.
I have a different feeling about it since I have seen what it used to be and what it has become. I probably would't recommend to live here permanently, but I think it will be fun to visit for a while. It's small enough that you will learn your way around very quickly, but if venture into the mountains and surrounding areas and it can be quite big.
The people are generally pretty friendly. If you like the bar scene and want to go out at night there is always something going on. It's a college town so there are a lot of younger people here, and a lot who still like to go out at night. It will be easy for you to meet people no matter what..
Forget the Spanish part!! Don't know what that comment was about! SB is spanish town and of course there are a lot of people who speak spanish living here- but it's not like you live in Mexico or something! That comment was rediculous I'm sorry. The only reason you would ever need to know Spanish is if you work in a kitchen. Forget it.
It's a BEAUTIFUL city and there's a lot of places to go venture out and "espcape." Lots of view spots and great hiking, beaches, and mountains.
BUT- if you're not an outdoorsy type- then honestly there isn't a lot to do unless you have a lot of money and plan to shop all the time. Which is more of a female sport
But if you need to be distracted for a while and get your mind off your past relationship I would honestly suggest Santa Moncia, Venice Beach, or Manhattan Beach area way more.
So much more to do and more people.
SB is small, but that may be what you want, especially if you know people you can stay with and hang out with.
Just thought I would give my opinion..
Hope it helped. Good luck!