california: I want to relocate to Santa Barbara California and own a nice home near the beach. Together my spouse and I have the earning potential of just under 200,000 per year and we won't have dependent children at home. I have heard nightmares about the housing market and wondered if purchasing land is possible? What about buying a home near the beach? Should I even entertain the idea of living in Santa Barbara? What about little known affordable surrounding areas that are just as attractive?|||it seems that the california housing market MIGHT be cooling down. if you can wait some(6 months-1 year),it would be to your advantage. santa barbara will never be cheap or even reasonable, & there are parts(montecito for example) that are outrageous. the coast will always be more expensive than inland, but you may be able to do better down in carpinteria or ventura county or up in santa maria(thats a fair piece away!)|||The average house will be more than $1,000,000. That makes a mortgage about $6,000/month depending on your down payment. The housing market is a mess, but depending on how close you want to ive to the beach or downtown SB, you can afford it. Look on the MLS listings, find a realtor with a webpage, and most will have a "payment calculator".