Comments on: People Living in Cars in Santa Barbara, CA

By: brock macon

brock macon — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:22:52 +0000

I live in Santa Barbara for free. I’ve had to overcome my conditioning that says you have to pay for everything you get, and submit my EGO, to recieve all that’s there to be given. There is an abundance here and I’m glad to live here!!!!!!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:39:19 +0000

@A.B. – I really think think there is a difference in being “down on your luck” and “making really terrible, stupid decisions”. I feel for her… but honestly, let’s say she made $2,500 after tax with her job. So she’s spending 75% of that on her condo — $1,875. Leaving her $625 for ALL of her other expenses for the entire month. Food, utilities, gas, car maintenance…

That’s not being down on your luck. That’s called “hoping the housing market continues to go up so I can get rich”. Remember, the typical high end of the mortgage to income ratio is like 35-36%. So she is more than double that.

Don’t defend dumb decisions like she’s this innocent bystander. She signed the papers. She knew what she was getting into — heck, she worked in the industry!

By: A.B.

A.B. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:19:32 +0000

I sure hope none of you are ever down on your luck because with your attitudes, no one is going to give you a helping hand. What a bunch of nasty, judgmental people you are.

By: BMA

BMA — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:05:59 +0000

I just found this because someone was talking about how there should be taxes to help people like this. Taxes my butt!

Santa Barbara is expensive. Only people who can afford to live there should. If she can’t afford to stay, and there is no reason to stay (no dependants), then she needs to move out into the center of the country, where things are cheaper.

She 67 – supposed to be wise and worldly and all that crap. Well, this 20 year old is saying get off your butt and make an effort to better your life or live in your car without complaint because you made stupid choices and only you can correct them.

Like I’m working to pay for her to live somewhere she can’t afford. I’d love to live in LA, someone want to pay taxes to make up the salary I don’t so I can move there?

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:13:56 +0000

Santa Barbara is seriously expensive. I can understand how 75% of here salary was devoted to rent. It’s kind of a fact of living there. Still, there’s room for common sense in this situation. If you can’t afford housing, you probably shouldn’t live in that city.

By: Future Millionaire

Future Millionaire — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:03:39 +0000

Since she’s only working part time and its not like there’s a lot holding her to Santa Barbara why not leave and go to a lower cost of living area where she can find a full time job and reasonably priced housing. I can understand wanting to live in a certain area, but when it comes to being forced to live in your car I think its time for plan B.

By: Stephanie PTY

Stephanie PTY — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:24:33 +0000

I have to agree. People need to learn that “I’m paying for something I can’t really afford” means “I run the risk of losing it, and everything else, too.”

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:10:43 +0000

@Mom: What puzzled me is the lady profiled in that story has a 19 year old daughter that is living with friends. What, Mom couldn’t join her? Odd.

By: Mom @ Wide Open Wallet

Mom @ Wide Open Wallet — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:06:15 +0000

My husband and I were talking about this same story. A few of those women should get together and be roommates. And maybe if you’re living in your car you should get a full time job, or two or three part time jobs.