In addition to the already busy workload of graduate students, housing can be another difficult task to navigate. The Santa Barbara housing market is one of the most competitive in California. We recommend that graduate students begin their search for housing several months before their expected arrival or end of current lease. Below you will find a recording of the Campus Housing Team with graduate specific resources.
Four key resources for you to keep on hand:
Housing Resources
UCSB Owned Housing
UCSB Housing and Residential Services offers a wealth of housing selections to match graduate students’ individual or family needs.
University Graduate Student Housing: San Clemente Villages
San Clemente Villages apartments are conveniently located between the main campus, Isla Vista, and shopping centers, and are accessible by bus, bike, or on foot. Please note that housing applications for the next academic year usually open very early in the year (Winter/Spring 2022).
Family Student Housing
Student Family Housing provides a limited number of one and two-bedroom, single-family units for full-time UCSB students. The apartments are located in two separate complexes approximately 1 mile from the main campus. Non-traditional and extended families are welcome. Families with children are given priority. Applicants and students are advised to sign the waiting list as early as possible. As of September 2022, it can take up to 1.5 years to be move off the waiting list.
Off-Campus Housing
Given the current housing situation, prospective and continuing students should begin their housing search months in advance. However, sometimes landlords post open listings when they are available and will want tenants who can move in right away.
Typical Rental Costs: Please note that housing costs in the Goleta and Santa Barbara area have skyrocketed since 2020!
- Private room in a shared apartment or house: Starting around $1000/month
- Studio: ~$1500-$2000/month, size and amenities can vary widely
- 1-bedroom apartment: ~$1800-$2500/month
- 2-bedroom apartment: >$2600
- 3-bedroom apartment or house: >$3600
Rental Listings:
- Craigslist
- PadMapper puts Craigslist apartment listings on a map, making it easy to compare different rentals in a neighborhood. You can also sign up for a free account that lets you save listings with notes.
- Santa Barbara News-Press
- UCSB Community Housing Office Rental Listings: requires UCSB NetID (activate your netID)
- Housing Resources: https://www.gradpost.ucsb.edu/new-students/off-campus-housing
UCSB Graduate Student Roommate SearchÂ
Join this Facebook group if you are looking fellow graduate student roommates.
Community Housing Office
The CHO empowers renters with accurate and constructive knowledge of their rights and responsibilities. Services include housing placement, dispute resolution, and educational workshops.
Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative
The Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative (SBSHC) provides low-rent cooperative housing for students, staff, and faculty of UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, and other post-secondary educational institutions in Santa Barbara County. SBSHC welcomes members regardless of gender, race, social, political or religious affiliation, thereby working to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in our communities. We strive to engage in continuous educational programs that further the principles of cooperative through mutual, self-help living at a minimal cost.
AS Legal Resource Center
Provides free legal consultations, education, and referrals to registered UCSB students. An attorney can offer support on a variety of topics, including credit and debt problems, landlord tenant disputes, and employment problems. Housed at the Pardall Center in IV. For more information, visit here.