Anonymous wrote:How about going further up the coast to Carmel? The schools are supposed to be fantastic. It is about 4-5 hours (if you time against traffic) getting to the northern parts of LA so a little further. You are also probably looking at a higher budget unless you are further inland in Carmel or in a smaller house.

We stay in Santa Barbara when we drive down to LA or San Diego. Its a cute town but the schools do not seem great so you may need to factor in for private school.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. For lots of reasons - most especially, I don't want to turn our house into a way-station for DH's very large family as they travel to and from Latin America, which absolutely would happen and with short or no notice - for that reason, I don't want to be south of LA. I really prefer not to be south of Ventura, though I would not say no to Malibu (as if that were affordable!).

So, OC and SD are absolutely, definitely out. I would consider SLO, but I think it's too far for DH. He went to grad school in SB and really likes it there. I have good friends in Ojai who love it too, though I think air quality might be a concern if we're inland.

DH had mentioned Goleta. We can definitely look there. And we have seen properties in SB for under $1 million. Certainly more inventory in the $1-$2 million range, but there definitely are options under $1 million. We're not in a rush so we can wait for that small property on the edge of a nice neighborhood. Just need to know which neighborhoods are the best.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. For lots of reasons - most especially, I don't want to turn our house into a way-station for DH's very large family as they travel to and from Latin America, which absolutely would happen and with short or no notice - for that reason, I don't want to be south of LA. I really prefer not to be south of Ventura, though I would not say no to Malibu (as if that were affordable!).

So, OC and SD are absolutely, definitely out. I would consider SLO, but I think it's too far for DH. He went to grad school in SB and really likes it there. I have good friends in Ojai who love it too, though I think air quality might be a concern if we're inland.

DH had mentioned Goleta. We can definitely look there. And we have seen properties in SB for under $1 million. Certainly more inventory in the $1-$2 million range, but there definitely are options under $1 million. We're not in a rush so we can wait for that small property on the edge of a nice neighborhood. Just need to know which neighborhoods are the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Santa Barbara is my hometown, so I’m biased but I loved growing up there. Super friendly, awesome weather 99% of the time, great community, tons of retired folks. $1 mill will get you plenty in Goleta (where the airport actually is).

PP, I always see your posts, who are we, the two Santa Barbara natives on DCUM?

Anyways, I'm now in Pacific Palisades. OP, just in case you are still considering LA, look to this town; it's about as Santa Barbara-like as you can get if you are living in LA. Then your DH can be close to his parents. (Actually if you tell us where your DH's relatives are, there are lots of places in LA that might work. LA does not have to be the sprawl if you know where to go.

OP here. My hope is to be about 2-3 hours (or more) away from the relatives in LA. (There are hundreds. Most in East LA.) That way, we can see family when it's planned and there are big events, but the chance of people stopping by unannounced is low. We also need to be able to get to Delano. DH's parents live in another country. It's the cast of thousands of primos and tios I'm trying to keep at bay.

Anonymous wrote:My favorite place on earth!

I’d choose Montecito (town right next to Santa Barbara) bot both are truly heaven.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Santa Barbara is my hometown, so I’m biased but I loved growing up there. Super friendly, awesome weather 99% of the time, great community, tons of retired folks. $1 mill will get you plenty in Goleta (where the airport actually is).

PP, I always see your posts, who are we, the two Santa Barbara natives on DCUM?

Anyways, I'm now in Pacific Palisades. OP, just in case you are still considering LA, look to this town; it's about as Santa Barbara-like as you can get if you are living in LA. Then your DH can be close to his parents. (Actually if you tell us where your DH's relatives are, there are lots of places in LA that might work. LA does not have to be the sprawl if you know where to go.

Anonymous wrote:Santa Barbara is my hometown, so I’m biased but I loved growing up there. Super friendly, awesome weather 99% of the time, great community, tons of retired folks. $1 mill will get you plenty in Goleta (where the airport actually is).