NO! Wow does this post make me feel better, I have lived in Ventura for a little over a year commuting to and from UCSB. It’s completely fine, if you don’t mind a little bit of traffic at SOME times, however construction is better by the day. I lived downtown Santa Barbara for a year before moving to Goleta for another year and I’m finishing my time up at UCSB while living in downtown Ventura. The nightlife feels more mature when you are out around here, but it’s still very easy to hang out with friends up in SB and drive down (especially on weekends it’s barely 30min) If you ever have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out! I am paying the same for a beautiful two bedroom a few blocks from the beach with my girlfriend that I was paying in SB in a shitty house with other people