Make Myself at Home: A Compact Condo at The Grove

Address: 7610 Hollister Avenue #109>

Status: On the market

Price: $339,000

My friend Stephanie has a loud, distinctive laugh that makes me smile just thinking about it. She also has strong opinions on topics as varied as politics, literature, and beer. Steph doesn’t hold back on either her laughter or her opinions. So when she said to me last week, “I’ve got a bone to pick with you,” I wasn’t sure what the topic would be, but I was ready for a lively exchange.

It turns out that Stephanie, like many Santa Barbara residents, can’t afford to buy a $14 million house, and she’s tired of reading about them in my column. “It’s depressing” she complained. “What about the rest of us?”

We all know that Santa Barbara will never make anyone’s top-10 list of most affordable cities in which to buy a home. There are a lot of high-end properties, and I try to share a variety of styles, locales, and price ranges in this column. However, I figured it might be smart to pay attention to Steph’s complaint rather than debate her. So this week we’re visiting a one-bedroom Goleta condominium priced near the bottom of the available area listings at $339,000.

It turns out that being at the bottom of the price range doesn’t mean one has to sacrifice. This cute condo has it all. It’s a corner unit at the back of The Grove, surrounded by a tall, cool forest of eucalyptus trees. Walking down the path to get to its front door is a magical few minutes of quiet solitude in dappled sunlight.

Once inside, you’re in your own private retreat. Everything’s bright and clean: light walls, white carpet, and light-wood cabinets. You’ve got a blank canvas to create your own sweet space. This home is about 700 square feet, so there’s nothing spacious about it, but the condo is open and airy and makes smart use of the space. The kitchen is efficient and has a small dining room adjacent. The bedroom is much larger than many I’ve lived in, and it surprised me with a walk-in closet. The living room is big enough to get creative, and it even has a fireplace. The unit has its own washer/dryer and carport: luxuries that not all area houses offer. The patio provides a private spot to enjoy the eucalyptus grove views. Possibly the best features of all are the pool, hot tub, and community gym that are part of the complex.

Located near Citrix and Dioji on Hollister Avenue and across from the Ellwood Bluffs, The Grove seems like an ideal location to enjoy the good life of the shops, restaurants, and amenities of the Good Land. This cute, quiet corner unit is priced to be within the realm of imagination of a single professional or maybe a couple who’s looking to downsize and simplify. I walked out happily considering the options that this compact condominium provides, and hoping that my friend Stephanie would agree.

7610 Hollister Avenue #109 is currently for sale in Goleta, listed by Karen Spechler of Coldwell Banker. Reach Karen at 563-7265.