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MyspaceI recently got a job in Santa Barbara, and I’m super stoked to move out of my Orange County digs and into Santa Barbara life. But renting with a dog is almost impossible there. So many great places but all say “no pets” or “cats only”- no dogs considered.
Landlords put a lot into their units, I get that, but I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. Everywhere you go in town, dogs are allowed, even in the restaurants and bars. Every store has a dog-bowl of water outside and treats for the pups when you go inside. Even this paper lists favorite adoptable dogs. But where do all these dogs live? Is dog-owning in Santa Barbara only for the wealthier peeps who can afford to buy their house and not rent?
Out of over 450 listings I found four that allowed dogs. Of those four, I didn’t like a one of them. They were either run down or ridiculously small (200 square feet). I have only been looking for three weeks, but I think this is buzz-worthy.
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Comments
Housing is a capitalistic market.
Sellers have concluded that they have enough buyers without including any with dogs.
John_Adams (anonymous profile)
September 13, 2012 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to Santa Barbara where a certain segment of the population considers their dogs to be children (mostly older, homeowner-types, I believe) and treats them accordingly and where rental inequalities abound. Always liked Maui myself, lots of cats, mostly feral and no bother, and virtually no dogs and no often-truculent and always-entitled dog owners. Paradise, indeed.
zappa (anonymous profile)
September 13, 2012 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One mention of dogs, and there will be a dog-averse contingent yapping away about "all" dog owners and such like refrain.
My tip for the rental hunt would be for you to call the non-profit dog groups, and ask them if they know of any nice places that allow dogs. Put up a few "dog-friendly rental needed" posts at veterinary offices and doggy play venues.
Barking must be partly the reason some landlords object to dogs. It's not the flea problem, as was a deterrent to renting to dog owners in the past. Not now that there are so many solutions to combat fleas. Best of luck.
chilldrinfthenight (anonymous profile)
September 14, 2012 at 2:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)