Job at UCSB where to live (Santa Barbara, Vista: apartments, rental, house)

[stockpoet]

I will be moving from SF to Santa Barbara to start a job at UC Santa Barbara. I have been to Santa Barbara about six times and am pretty familiar with it but I always stayed at a relatives house in Goleta they drove me into town in the middle of the day. I may not have a car for a few months so this obviously limits my choices. Also my budget is only $1500 a month. Even at this range I seem to see a fair number of 1 bedroom apartments in SB so I think I do have options.

Isla Vista would be walking or biking distance to work but when I went there a few years ago it was party central. I'm married, late thirties and don't want to be up all night listening to college kids screaming and blasting their stereos.

Is there anywhere near UCSB that is safe but doesn't have the party atmosphere of IV? Are any areas of IV quiet?

If I lived near downtown are there frequent buses that go to campus? I will be working right on campus.

Also again considering the no car factor I'd like to live near some shopping, eateries etc though I can get a zipcar for weekly grocery shopping.

[jw2]

The Obern Trail bike path can make UCSB very accessible via a bicycle and opens up a lot of neighborhoods for you.

On this map, MapMyFITNESS - Viewing Obern trail it shows the start at Goleta State Beach but it actually starts earlier, it goes right through the middle of UCSB. From there east is all Class I with a few entrances from the neighborhoods. At Mile 4.5, it stops being a Class I path and just uses surface streets.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Ventura is an option for you. You could take the VISTA bus to UCSB and take your bike with you.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

If you can handle rather diverse areas, there are pockets of Goleta somewhat near the airport, as well as east of "downtown" Goleta, where there is a rich mix of rental stock. All such areas are convenient to the campus and are a more adult atmosphere.