Living & Working in Santa Barbara

Among cities in California, Santa Barbara is considered a unique slice of paradise by natives and new residents alike. Year-round temperatures and weather are mild, warm and sunny. Santa Barbara and nearby communities of Isla Vista, Goleta, and Carpinteria are considered some of the most attractive for settling down; the area undoubtedly offers great school systems for families, safe neighborhoods, world-class culture and fun nightlife, and plenty of outdoor recreational activities. This region enjoys a thriving and stable economy and is home to several industries.

It is important to consider all aspects of moving to the Santa Barbara region before you relocate for graduate school. 

Cost of Living

Because the areas in and near Santa Barbara are considered quite attractive destinations for living, the cost of living is notably higher than other regions of California. We encourage you to explore listings for housing, both rentals and real estate, to get an idea of this cost well before you plan your move. Prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, as do the amenities and features of those neighborhoods, such as proximity to the beach, shopping centers, or schools. Some campus housing is available for graduate students and postdocs, students with families, and international students. Suggested listings:

Professional Infrastructure

Santa Barbara County boasts a vibrant and diverse economy, home to numerous companies across the technology industry in particular. There is an active and well-connected community of professionals committed to technology start-ups and entrepreneurship overall. Several of these successful companies have found their roots in UCSB faculty and graduates. UCSB is a hotbed of research partnered with entrepreneurship, including the Technology Management Program, and hundreds of faculty in engineering and the sciences who have spun off their own industry ventures. 

Climate and Environment

Santa Barbara is a coastal city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the San Marcos Foothills, home of the Los Padres National Forest. Santa Barbara has a mediterranean climate with dry, warm summers and mild winters. The average daily temperature in Santa Barbara ranges from 65 to 72 F year round. Rainfall is low to average during non-drought years, and snowfall is very rare. 

Transportation

Highways 

UC Santa Barbara is located on the Santa Barbara coast at the end of Highway 217, just a few miles from US Route 101, a major freeway that runs north/south along the coastal counties of California. The campus and nearby communities are accessible from outside regions by highway/car, air travel, and train (Amtrak).

Airports

The Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is conveniently located about 1 mile from the UCSB campus and offers daily flights to major west coast airports. The nearest international airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and there are daily flights available from SBA to LAX. By car, travel from Santa Barbara to LAX is about 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic. There are several options available for travel by train or shuttle bus to LAX from the Santa Barbara area. The Santa Barbara Airbus offers several daily round trip shuttles to LAX.

Mass Transit

Santa Barbara MTD is the local bus services that offers several routes throughout Santa Barbara, to/from UCSB, and nearby towns.