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It's Getting Better, Ain't It?
updated: Apr 29, 2012, 9:04 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

With it being easy to focus on the negative in the news and local scene, it's important to consider what aspects of Santa Barbara are better than 10 years ago?

Most recent Comments first | (reverse order)

COMMENT 276024P	2012-04-30 04:21 PM
Thanks for all the positive comments. We still have a beach and mountains to hike in. Our weather seems a bit colder but still the best in the country. Compared with most other cities our size, we have the most beautiful. I'm retired and have two gorgeous granddaughters who were not born ten years ago. Every single day they find joy and wonder in something.....if not in many things.....
COMMENT 275942P	2012-04-30 11:04 AM
There are now more places to sell gold.
COMMENT 275924P	2012-04-30 09:52 AM
What people control has declined, such as more serious crime, disrespectful drivers, loss of book stores, and failure of local merchants to update their stores such as Rite Aid. What we do have is a beautiful place to live with flowers and trees everywhere and of course, the ocean.
EARO65	2012-04-30 09:50 AM
UCSB is still not reaching out to the community, but SBCC remains the best thing going for our local HS graduates. We still have a good Adult Ed program, and many young people have been able to further their education because of the SB Foundation and the SBScholarship Foundation. The views are great, but the people here are the best, always have been.
ZEBRA STRIPES	2012-04-30 09:47 AM
What a great discussion! New to the list: Yoga Soup More participation to clean up after your dog Granada Theater SB County Bowl improvements Improved freeways (conjestion areas and more cement center divider barriers) REI (though I love Mountain Air & SB Outfitters) Alpha Thrift shop on Milpas Repeat votes for: EdHat De La Vina Trader Joe's Roundabouts More off leash dog parks Success of farmer's markets & fresh local foods Apple store
MARTINSHAPIRO	2012-04-30 08:46 AM
A great sign of hope to me is the newly selected President/Superintendent of City College, Dr. Lori Gaskin. She seems to be a vibrant, enthusiastic and accessible leader who will work well with students faculty and the community to get us through these terrible financial times and keep City College the jewel that it is to so many of us. I teach in the credit side, but take classes in Continuing Ed. Both are very important to me! City College and UCSB plus the ocean, mountains and weather make this community paradise.
EDSUP	2012-04-30 08:25 AM
@798, regarding your comment - "Makes us more aware of watching out for each other." - Amen to that! That is one of the most outstanding blessings of Edhat. There is that strong sense of community and family - people caring and sharing. If everything else goes downhill, this "together" factor will help us through it all.
COMMENT 275874P	2012-04-30 07:43 AM
More ships are stopping in Santa Barbara (52 scheduled this year) boosting businesses that cater to tourists. Rode the trolley yesterday and heard one couple talking about being approached by a transient and expressing shock at the large number of homeless. Why doesn't Montecito have this problem?
COMMENT 275855P	2012-04-29 09:36 PM
Better now: The growth of online communities -- Edhat is one -- that help us connect with neighbors and others who share our interests. The increase in designated off-leash areas for dogs. Improvements in disaster (wildfire) notifications.
COMMENT 275850P	2012-04-29 08:59 PM
Santa Barbara is better now than 10 years ago in that more than ever we can appreciate what a refuge overall our jewel of a city is. With other cities often increasingly unattractive, we enjoy that Santa Barbara has retained a lot of its beauty.
AQUAHOLIC	2012-04-29 07:13 PM
Geographically speaking, Santa Barbara is, and always will be, one of the most beautiful places on earth...and I have been to quite a few other places on earth. The older I get, the less I go downtown, and thus, I don't really have a sense of how things are. That said, when I do venture downtown, I am pleasantly surprised and appreciate how beautiful our city is and always has been. Many wonderful things downtown, both old and new. Just this evening, we had our traditional family Sunday dinner out....we went to Brophy's. Brophy's is a good example of something that has gotten better with age. I always order the Salmon salad with house dressing (I wish I knew exactly what's in that dressing!)....it's as if Gordon Ramsey himself came and read them the riot act. No iceberg lettuce and crummy cherry tomatoes...fresh, organic mixed greens, grape tomatoes, roasted veggies and a freshly grilled piece of salmon .....heaven on a plate!! I mean, really, what more could one want?
COMMENT 275827	2012-04-29 06:48 PM
As a parent with kids ages 4 thru 13, I would suggest the parks seem a little better. Perhaps there is more gang activity, but the equipment/jungle gyms are much improved...
COMMENT 275814P	2012-04-29 05:23 PM
Speaking specifically about SB and not the pending presidential election (because SB was the focus of the conversation); the extra lanes on the freeway, the roundabouts at Milpas, Hot Springs/Coast Village and Salinas/APS were all major improvements that I personally appreciate. What was always very cool about SB, and it's great that the following are still here; Farmers Market, Art Walk, Cultural festivals at Oak Park, the Zoo and the Natural History Museum. There are many more great things to list about our wonderful city. One and only one downside (again, for me personally) is that I still cannot afford to live in the city. I live in the Santa Ynez Valley, but I work in SB. Nonetheless it is still "home" to me.
COMMENT 275798	2012-04-29 03:57 PM
770 where did you move to that is so much better than SB? I agree Edhat makes you feel connected to your community and you actually DO know what is happening in your city and community as it happens. So nice not to have to depend on KEYT or SB News that may or may not report the stabbing or thefts etc. in your neighborhood. Makes us more aware of watching out for each other.
COMMENT 275794	2012-04-29 03:41 PM
ex - VP - bought a house in Ceto - close to the ocean - that apparently is no longer rising - that's great stuff - Multiple Trades Joe's locations - Harry's & Joes got sold - little better food - We are down to one Hospital You can see another Starbucks from each Starbucks in town . Mels moved - better location - nicer bar Taco Bell on DLV is closing - Biltmore got sold and had a total make over thanks to animals filled with beans - IV - Halloween - the same City College has transformed into a great local source for local education - still one of the best views in town - UCSB - Soccer teams drawing great crowds The cow on Milpas is still changing colors and kids are having fun. was a good restaurant there back in the day - The Miramar - nuogh said - El Encanto - same
COMMENT 275780	2012-04-29 01:59 PM
1 out of 11...not...bad?
COMMENT 275777	2012-04-29 01:38 PM
Can't think of one thing that is better except we now have an Apple Store, and we don't have to go out of town for their service.
COMMENT 275772	2012-04-29 12:32 PM
What a great idea for a discussion. Sometimes we need to focus our thoughts on and be happy about the positive changes, even when there are lots of things to complain about. One new thing that almost all of us can agree is a change for the better is Edhat! It's been wonderful having this well-developed community with so much information sharing. Whether it's someone reporting smoke in the hills, the passing of a friend in the community, or a link to a more thorough news source on an event of wide impact, Edhat is more and more becoming something I rely on for information. The TV news, and most popular print journalism, have generally chosen to take the more profitable low road. I'm glad that Edhat fills the niche that is being left empty by that shift.
COMMENT 275770	2012-04-29 12:25 PM
It isn't better at all which is why I moved: best thing I ever did.
SBJULES	2012-04-29 12:09 PM
I would like to see crime statistics from 10 years ago v. now because I am not convinced that we have a huge jump in crime; I think it has always been here, but not reported as much. Recyling didn't really exist 10 years ago, so that's a plus. I like farmers' markets (when did they start?) Our beaches are still wonderful.
MTNDRIVER	2012-04-29 11:32 AM
Glad to hear people can find some things that are better, I was hard-pressed to think of any. I like it that recycling and green waste get collected separately now. The Milpas underpants yes, and the roundabout, too (if only people would learn how to use it). The new "park" at Sheffield Reservoir.
COMMENT 275756P	2012-04-29 11:06 AM
Milpas round-about and the Cacique underpass.
MESARATS	2012-04-29 10:45 AM
Seeing jellyfish and more abalone at the islands, I love going to the new Marborg dump. It reminds me of a Dr Suess book and can be very surreal. The Milpus underpants and Roger.
COMMENT 275742	2012-04-29 10:24 AM
That's a difficult question because I think the quality of life and cleanliness of the city has definitely declined, but focusing on the positive I think relocating the Greyhound bus terminal was a good move and makes sense. I am happy that the long vacant Acapulco restaurant is no longer vacant and is now the Cielito. It's good to see businesses that have closed be replaced by others rather than seeing boarded up, vacant spaces. I think the Cacique St underpass is a positive. I like the fact that more tourists are visiting SB and merchants and businesses are reaping the benefits. I really like the way our beach area resorts maintain their beautiful landscaping continually planting flowers etc. Lots of good things in SB to be thankful for!
COMMENT 275741	2012-04-29 10:22 AM
More ways to get fresh local produce, often organic, into our homes and diets. Delivery services, stores, etc.
COMMENT 275739	2012-04-29 10:15 AM
Umm, I can't think of anything that is better except maybe Starbucks and free internet downtown. That's about it, everything else has gone downhill with an increase in crime, grime & rent.
ROGER DODGER	2012-04-29 09:59 AM
10 years ago there was alittle less crime.. The transients in town were the regulars and not as violent. Rents were not as high., neither was gas. State street did not smell as pissy and there was less harrassment. On the other hand I was drunk and raising hell all over town. I'm sober now that is better.
COMMENT 275730	2012-04-29 09:53 AM
There are some amazing 10 year olds living here now who weren't around back then.
COMMENT 275726	2012-04-29 09:34 AM
Cabrillo ballfield is no longer the domain of drugs, prostitution and homeless. Go MCA!

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