Why Live in Lower West
Lower West in Santa Barbara combines residential tranquility with urban convenience. Just blocks from downtown and a mile from the beach, it features quiet streets lined with sidewalks and coastal palms. Housing options include single-family homes, multi-family units, townhouses, and condos, many dating back to before 1950. Known for its cozy bungalows and beachy cottages, the area attracts a multigenerational population, from college students to families and retirees. Lower West is also popular with investors due to its more affordable housing compared to the broader city.
Residents enjoy various attractions, such as Stearns Wharf at West Beach, the oldest working pier in California, offering shops, boutiques, and seafood restaurants. The neighborhood is served by the highly rated Santa Barbara Unified School District, with La Cumbre Junior High and San Marcos Senior High being notable mentions. For outdoor activities, Parque de Los Ninos provides playgrounds and a community garden, while nearby Pershing Park offers baseball fields and tennis courts.
Lower West is walkable, with bus routes and an Amtrak station downtown, though train and road noise from U.S. route 101 may be a consideration. Its proximity to major thoroughfares makes commuting convenient, with the Santa Barbara Airport 8 miles away and Thousand Oaks about 60 miles east. Despite some noise, the residential streets remain quiet due to dead ends and limited through traffic, with ample street parking available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lower West a good place to live?
Lower West is a good place to live. Lower West is considered somewhat walkable and a biker's paradise with some transit options. Lower West has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 35.0 people per acre and a median age of 29. The average household income is $90,390 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 20.4% of residents. A majority of residents in Lower West are renters, with 85.1% of residents renting and 14.9% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Lower West can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Lower West neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Lower West?
The median home price in Lower West is $1,025,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $205,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.56%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $5,220 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $224K a year to afford the median home price in Lower West. The average household income in Lower West is $90K.
What are the best public schools in Lower West?
The best public schools that serve Lower West are:
What are the best private schools in Lower West?
The best private schools that serve Lower West are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Lower West, Santa Barbara, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Lower West, Santa Barbara, CA?
Home Trends in Lower West, CA
On average, homes in Lower West, Santa Barbara sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Lower West, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $1,160,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$1,160,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,200,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$879,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,038
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median List Price
$1,025,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
15%