A quick glance into the June 15 News-Press edition while visiting my parents during Father’s Day weekend, the headline “Best of Both Worlds” catches my eye immediately. The idea of more housing coming to Santa Barbara makes me think “affordable housing”? The first paragraph mentioning the construction of the San Marcos Preserve uses the key words “custom estates,” to which I immediately express dismay.
I was born in Santa Barbara 25 years ago, and in 2015, moved to Southern California for school. Fast forward to 2019, and little did I know that I’d stay down south on a more permanent basis, due to the cost of living. When I think of the phrase “best of both worlds,” I think cost-effectiveness and quality of life. Santa Barbara only exhibits quality of life for certain demographics, and from what I hear, leaves the industrious blue-collar workers, with little to no savings, living paycheck to paycheck.
I know that these custom estates will join others in the surrounding area, but I don’t think it does any good to announce their construction to a sizable majority who wishes they could try to get out of whatever struggling state of poverty they may be in. I don’t miss living in Santa Barbara at all. I can sleep comfortably without the worry of paying outrageous rent. I wish that developers in Santa Barbara would be considerate of not just the wealthy, but the hardworking young generation who wishes for the best of both worlds.
