The staff of the Orchid House Student Residence

Did you ever wonder who takes care of the students living at The Orchid House of Santa Barbara? We have two resident advisors and one person who is on property during the night. 24 hours a day, there is staff on property to help.

The two main people you will encounter and get to know during your residence at the Orchid House, besides your room mates, are Francine Talmadge and Phillip Orzi. We are the ones taking care of you. Francine is the House “mom”, she is the one baking her heart out for breakfast and dessert. She is also the one, who will make sure that house rules are observed. At your first meeting, she might seem scary, but if you take the time to get to know her, you will quickly discover, that behind the stern exterior, there is a person with a lot of humor, fun and good sound advice. Francine has the mothering instinct and a degree in special education with focus on teenagers with behavioral disorders. She always has an open ear and loves to help. Being from Germany, she also understands the difficulties that an international student might encounter, by living in Santa Barbara. She loves her job and likes to organize House events, give cooking and baking classes. Need a creative idea for a gift or a class, Francine is your go to person. Francine has lived in Santa Barbara for over 10 years and she knows this Central Coast paradise in and out. Ask her about what to do in Santa Barbara and she has many suggestions. Come live with us and get to know her.

Phillip is the one, you will immediately like. With his charm and great smile, he makes you feel at home. He is always up for some fun and athletics activities. While living at the Orchid House you will receive a gym membership. Phillip is the one who can give you sound work out advice. Phillip cooks great eggs for breakfast. He will also listen and help. Having studied at SBCC, he has unique insights about campus, classes and college life. Phillip is from Italy, so if you take Italian classes, he can improve your language skills and help with homework. Computer games, music, he is the one to talk to. Often he will be the DJ in the living room, creating the soundtrack to the dinner times. Over the course of your life here, there will be a song that you associate with living at the Orchid House. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet this great guy.

Overnight there is Glenn. The House “Grandpa”. In case there should be a problem, he is here to help. Glenn is also very handy with tools. Any little repairs that might be needed overnight can be solved. And he will make sure that at night the gates are closed and that everybody is safe. You won’t see much of him. But he still is an intricate part of our Orchid House Team.

We are a little family, be a part of it. You will feel at home at the Orchid House Student residence.

An International students housing will also love to be in housing close to downtown and the beach. And for the SBCC athletes you get a little workout by walking up the steps to SBCC.

Why choose the Orchid House Student residence

At the beginning of each new semester, the question arises: Where should my future Santa Barbara City College student live? There are many housing choices, from apartment living to a student residence. A dorm style student residence like the Orchid House is perfect for anybody who does not want to worry about utilities, Wi-Fi, cable, grocery shopping and meals. The Orchid House is the ideal option for somebody who would like to make new friends at the place where one lives. Another advantage is that students from all walks of life are gathered in a small community. There are the athletes, the international students, students who study philosophy, art, political science, biology, computer science, culinary arts and many more. One can find likeminded spirits or engage in lively discussions.

The Orchid House offers fully furnished dorm rooms. All you need to bring is bedding, clothes and some personal items. There is a gourmet breakfast every morning which consists of home baked muffins and granola, cereal, yoghurt, toast, jam, Nutella, peanut butter, fresh fruit and one egg dish, which changes daily. Not to forget, there is coffee, tea, water and juice. The dinner menu changes daily for example, beef stroganoff with noodles and broccoli. There is always a salad, bread and butter. Vegetarian options are also available. And no meal is complete without dessert from pudding to cookies. The day will end on a sweet note.

Coin operated washers and dryers are on property, so that you don’t have far to go, to do your laundry. There are bicycle racks for your bicycle, there is a spot to park your surf board and car parking is also available.

Location also factors into the question where one should live. The Orchid House of Santa Barbara is just a few steps away from Santa Barbara City College. Classes on West Campus, can be reached within 5 minutes on foot and to East campus it is just a little further to walk. No hassle to find a parking spot, no need to be dependent on the bus schedule. We are so close, that you even have time to go back to your dorm room, if you have a break during the day.

The Orchid House is a safe and fun place to live, with City College within arm’s reach.

The Orchid House of Santa Barbara offers pleasurable and safe SBCC student apartments to study, relax and feel at home in its charming ambiance. A gourmet breakfast and healthy evening meal are included in our rates as well as free Wi-Fi, cable TV service with Flat-panel TV in each suit and membership to a popular local gym.

Living at the Orchid House Student Residence

The Orchid House of Sana Barbara is a small residence just a few steps away from Santa Barbara City College.

Besides being very close to school and classes, our small size makes it possible to get to know all the 24 students who live here. There are meals and fun to share. The common areas like living, dining and media room are perfect for group activities or study groups. For example, we offer cooking or baking classes, for Halloween we carved pumpkins, we had a Christmas party, were we learned to make a traditional Swedish Christmas bread. And there is always a resident advisor, that you can talk to and that will help. A diverse group of students’ studies at Santa Barbara City College and our little community has students from all over the United States and some international students.

It is challenging to start a new school in a new town. Living at the Orchid House of Santa Barbara makes the fresh beginning a little easier. Her you meet new friends; you don’t have to worry about grocery shopping and cooking. Your focus can be on school and experiencing Santa Barbara with it many cultural offerings , not to forget shopping on State Street and the many public beaches.

After living at home, living with a roommate, might be challenging at first. But that is all part of the college experience. And often times your roommate will turn into a lifelong friend.

While living at the Orchid House of Santa Barbara, you are close to all sorts of activities. We are just a few steps away from tennis courses, and the beaches with its volley ball, surfing and swimming. And there is La Playa Stadium, which you can use for your own work outs. The stadium steps are one excellent option, and then there is the track. Plus you get to watch excellent Santa Barbara City College Football or soccer.

While living at the Orchid House of Santa Barbara you will feel it is your home away from home. A place in which you can safely start your college life.

The Orchid house of Santa Barbara is the best place for SBCC Student housing, off campus living, full boarding house living, shared residence hall suites, and dorm rooms.

Stylish International Student Housing Orchid House

Stylish International Student Housing Orchid House


The Orchid House of Santa Barbara is a stylish SBCC Student Residence Hall located right across the street from the Santa Barbara City College in West Beach Santa Barbara.

Share your college dorm room with other students and make new friends. Enjoy living at our SBCC Residence Hall right across from Santa Barbara City College. International students will also love to be in housing close to downtown and the beach. And for the SBCC athletes you get a little workout by walking up the steps to SBCC. The Orchid House of Santa Barbara offers pleasurable and safe SBCC student apartments to study, relax and feel at home in its charming ambiance.

The Orchid House Of Santa Barbara - SBCC Student Housing