Recent Comments

Peter, my understanding is that you have recently relocated here and now are proclaiming “we [Santa Barbara, presumably] want to be rebranded externally to the rest of the world.” You’d think from that statement our reigning monarch died and crowned you emperor. It’s cool that you’re enthusiastic about our city. I am, too. I think you’re right that many people would want to or enjoy living here. But we don’t need a “global rebrand,” nor do most local residents want an even greater influx of the remote PMC, or other monied newcomers. We’ve got enough. Once upon a time (in my short lifetime) Santa Barbara had a thriving working and middle class. The end is already nigh for the working class and the middle class will soon be wiped out entirely. It is increasingly near impossible to lead a middle class existence here given housing costs. A continued tsunami of monied nomads isn’t what we need or want. Here are some young professionals I know of who’ve recently left town for more affordable options elsewhere: my dentist, our veterinarian, my gastroenterologist, and my urologist. I know multiple doctors who can’t retire or even take a weekend off work (I won’t name the specialty so as not to reveal anyone’s identity) because they cannot hire young replacements to fill their seats because housing is both exceptionally unaffordable but also near impossible to get. Take a gander on Reddit. There is a couple with an income of $350k right now who have applied for dozens of apartments and haven’t been able to land one yet. How about you get the lay of the land and truly understand this place and what goes on here before proclaiming we need a rebrand. I think you also have underestimated the global caché Santa Barbara already possesses as a destination known for its character, geography, and laid-back attitude. When I lived in Europe, I don’t think I met one European who didn’t know where and what Santa Barbara was. Many had been here and damn near every one asked me why the hell I was living in Western Europe when I could be living in SB. The idea that people aren’t aware of Santa Barbara as an ideal destination and need to have their eyes opened to it courtesy a PR campaign and a “rebrand” is silly. Newcomers are arriving every day. Most of us cannot read the article you are quoted in in full and it’s my hope your words were somewhat cherry picked from a statement that in fact reflected a broader understanding of this place. There’s an obvious line between promoting your business or trying to network locally with other tech entrepreneurs, and the hubris that comes along with proclaiming a city you just moved to needs a global rebrand. If you truly love Santa Barbara, and decided you wanted to move here ten years ago, maybe try to remember why you fell in love with it to begin with. Don’t be part of the undoing of something you cherish.

Someone needs to suggest to Peter Sullivan that perhaps he has moved to the wrong place. He's obviously completely missing the point of living here as have many of our newest denizens.

Wow, $60million is too much for an empty useless building. They overpaid.

Every July 4th, I think this will be 25 in a row, I get up and play X 4th of July. Something haunting and sad.

It sucks that Marty’s Pizza will be closing, at least at its present location. The bridge replacement project requires demo of the Marty’s building, which sits right on top of the creek.

SB, I highly advise you to buy a ton of white paint and become successful. Clearly, your lack of knowledge regarding supply and demand and the desire for finished products is obscuring what intellect you may possess.

Cool. Just what we need. More outposts of LA chains so the interlopers can feel at home in their newly adopted (invaded) town.

I like Marty's, too.

Oh no, going to give Oppi’z across the street a run for their money. ?

I wonder how the County will spend the windfall in property taxes that this inflated market is producing? (just notes : I previously owned 7732 Kestrel, we got 2.2M in March 2018 and felt lucky to get any offer, things were not selling there, but the tragedy in Montecito brought us the buyer who owned a home there..the profit of 1.2M in recent sale was unjustified, nothing had been redone or updated. Crazy. Also crazy, 2.6 for N.Patterson, I currently live around the block from this house and look down on its backyard, which is only a pool and original 1978 house no update, wallpaper and all, terrible location in front of a stop sign….what were they thinking?

I just love that little spot.