Goleta Real Estate
Goleta, referred to by residents as The Goodland, was once an unincorporated suburb of Santa Barbara proper. In fact, it spent many years as the nation’s largest populated but unincorporated area before officially becoming a city in 2002. According to the 2010 census data, just under 30,000 people live within Goleta city limits, which is comprised of about eight square miles of land.
The land that now makes up Goleta spent many years under the care of the native Chumash tribe. Later, European settlers cleared the native oak trees to make room for farming and cattle herds. Lemon and avocado orchards remain, though mostly toward the edge of the city, which has moved toward a more urban environment.
Technology plays a large role in providing employment in Goleta. Business parks lining Hollister Avenue house the business offices of some of the most advanced companies in their sectors.Raytheon and Citrix Online represent two of the top three largest employers in Goleta (withSansum Clinic being the third). Other notable area companies include Decker’s Outdoor Corporation (most notable for their Ugg Boots) and UC Santa Barbara (USCB).
Goleta Real Estate
Homes in Goleta range from low maintenance one bedroom, one bathroom condominiums to large ranches with multiple buildings, land, and crops. The most common Goleta home, however, is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the 1100-1500SF range. Numerous tracts of homes were built in the 1960’s and 70’s, which offer today’s buyers options from fixer-upper values to updated and move-in ready properties.
Recently, condominiums and planned-unit development homes have sold in Goleta for between $200,000 and $1 million, with many of the least expensive being short sales, foreclosures, and low-income housing. Single family homes have sold from the low to mid $300ks to just over $3,000,000, though some homes and ranches toward Gaviota and Hollister Ranch have gone for as high as $8,000,000.
Schools in Goleta include several elementary schools, alternative options for public schools, Montessori Center School, a junior high school, and two high schools (regarded by many as exceeding Santa Barbara High School). While UC Santa Barbara is closer to Goleta than Santa Barbara and provides both employment and consumers to many Goleta businesses, the campus is technically in Santa Barbara. The small area immediately surrounding UCSB is referred to asIsla Vista.
Contributing to the sense of community in Goleta are the numerous festivals and events held in the city, many centered at Girsh Park. The park is home to numerous baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and basketball courts, as well as picnic areas, pavilions, and play equipment. The park is home to the annual fall Lemon Festival, spring Egg Hunt, and July 4th Fireworks Display, as well as numerous sports activities, celebrations, and functions throughout the year.