Why Live in Westside
About 2 miles south of downtown Santa Barbara, Westside is densely populated neighborhood that offers more affordable living than other parts of the city. The area is walkable and bike-friendly, with pedestrian passes like Micheltorena Street and bike lanes on one-way roads. Housing is primarily one-story properties, with ranch-style homes and bungalows built from the 1920s to '50s. Many feature Spanish Revival architectural details, and condos are also available, particularly to the north, near the highway and train tracks. The neighborhood is shaded by tall palm and eucalyptus trees, meaning walks to local institutions and businesses like Calvary Baptist Church and La Bella Rosa Bakery are shaded. There are lots of dining options, especially along San Andreas Street, with several Mexican restaurants including Super Cucas and Revolver Pizza. For groceries, Foodland Market offers a variety of Mexican specialties. Westside is close to several parks, including the 230-acre Elings Park, which has hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course and a dog park. Nearby, Bohnett Park features basketball courts, a playground and picnic areas. The neighborhood is just over 2 miles from West Beach, a hub for city festivals and events, and 3 miles from Leadbetter Beach. The Santa Barbara Unified School District serves the area, with highly rated schools such as Adams Elementary School, La Cumbre Junior High School and San Marcos Senior High School, which offers a Health Careers Academy. Transportation options include several bus and driving routes. Santa Barbara Airport is 9 miles away, and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is also close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Westside a good place to live?
Westside is a good place to live. Westside is considered somewhat walkable and bikeable with some transit options. Westside is a neighborhood with a crime score of 4, on par with the average neighborhood in the U.S. Westside has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 17.7 people per acre and a median age of 37. The average household income is $121,345 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 40% of residents. A majority of residents in Westside are renters, with 61.4% of residents renting and 38.6% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Westside can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Westside neighborhood guide.
Is Westside, CA a safe neighborhood?
Westside, CA is a safe neighborhood and is on par with the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 4 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Westside?
The median home price in Westside is $1,395,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $279,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.22%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $6,850 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $294K a year to afford the median home price in Westside. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Westside is $121K.
What are the best public schools in Westside?
The best public schools that serve Westside are:
What are the best private schools in Westside?
The best private schools that serve Westside are:
- Anacapa School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 6:1 and an average review score of 4.7.
- Notre Dame School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 11:1 and an average review score of 5.0.
- Bishop Garcia Diego High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 12:1 and an average review score of 4.5.
What are the most popular zip codes in Westside, Santa Barbara, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Westside, Santa Barbara, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Westside?
Yes, home prices in Westside are down 2% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Westside, CA
On average, homes in Westside, Santa Barbara sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Westside, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $1,315,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$1,315,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,400,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$892,500
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$675,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,203
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
48
Median List Price
$1,395,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%