moving to santa cruz (San Jose, Vista: real estate, rental, mobile home)

[maine.wordsmith]

Hello. I am moving to the Santa Cruz area, from Maine. because of the cost of real estate I am looking for the first time at purchasing a mobile home. I am under 55, so want an all ages park.

Which parks would anyone recommend for attractiveness and safety and location? Is a resident-owned park a better thing? What issues on owning a mobile home should I definately be aware of?

I've enjoyed the threads of others discussing the SC vs Monterey weather. I am coming from 20 below and ice and snow!

Thank you!

[Deserter]

I love Santa Cruz and lived there for 11 years. I don't know much about mobile home parks. There was a really nice one on the water at the north end of town. It's probably quite pricey, though. My friend used to manage a mobile home park on the river in Ben Lomond. I would definitely not recommend that place. There are plaenty of mobile home parks around SC, anyway.

I would suggest you check the Santa Cruz Sentinel online for info. (I recommend the San Jose Mercury News for actual news, however.)

[killer2021]

mobile home? You do know that those go down in value? It is similar to buying a car. Plus space rent so it feels like you are renting.

[maine.wordsmith]

Thank you, Deserter and killer, both. My understanding is that Santa Cruz is not only wonderful-and I've made a visit so that's only a rumor, but also one of the few places in the universe where mobile homes not only increase in value, but at the rate of real real estate.

[Pacific]

I know of some very nice parks in Aptos. If you're interested, I could list and describe them to you.

The really nice one north of SC is DeAnza. I think I read about them going resident owned.

[maine.wordsmith]

Dear Pacific,

Thank you! I'd appreciate anything you can tell me, and I am interested in Aptos. How kind of you.

Maine

[Pacific]

The Blue Pacific is one of my favorites. It is on the ocean side of Highway One on Mar Vista in Seacliff (part of Aptos). It's a little on the older side (mid 60's, I think), but it has a great kind of "funky" vibe.

On the other side of the freeway on Mar Vista there are at least a couple more parks, but now that I am looking them up in the phonebook I am finding that they are not listed. Ill try to drive by there in the next few days to see what they're named. These parks are very close to Cabrillo College, which offers lots wonderful plays, concerts, etc. They have restaurant program there with a great little restaurant attached. Also, I have heard that a pedestrian walkway over the freeway (connecting both sides of Mar Vista) is in the works. That would mean that your access to the beach would be much closer.

A little farther down One (but still in Aptos) there are 2 parks listed on Freedom Blvd. One is Portola Heights and the other is Aptos Pines. I think the Aptos Pines Park is the one that I know. It is not too far from the freeway (but not really close either...not sure if the sound travels). The county Highway Patrol offices and some storage rental units abut one side and Aptos High is on the other, but not visable. It is mostly surrounded by rolling hills (now a beautiful vivid green) with oaks. I haven't been there in a while but I would think it would still be nice and well kept.

Two others are listed in Aptos, but I don't know about are Aptos Knoll (on Trout Gulch Rd.) and Ocean View (on Windermere).

I love Aptos. My family moved "over the hill" (as we all say here) from San Jose in 1958. My father was a Building Contractor and used to buy lots in Seacliff for $300.! Wish he would of held on to some of them.

As soon as I know the names of those other parks, I'll let you know.

[maine.wordsmith]

Dear Pacific,

Thank you so much for the information! I'm new to streaming and had not checked back until notified, there was a message today. Your descriptions are helpful; two of the homes I've seen on the web are in the Blue Pacific Park.

My house here in Maine goes on the market this week. Whether it moves quickly or not I hope to be near the left-handed ocean in a month or so. I may see about renting a mobile home for a couple of months since I've never lived in one, while I explore the area.

So you grew up in the area and have stayed; a good endorsement! I have a sister in Santa Cruz, and I'll be looking for work as a sign language interpreter, and doing public relations, say for a hospital or a non-profit. I am excited about the move. Where I live in Maine was a great place to raise my son, but he is grown now, and I look forward to doing more of raising me!

If any other information about the parks or Aptos occurs to you, I'd be happy if you share it .

with appreciation,

MW

[alohakeia]

Hi Maine and Pacific
Hope you don't mind me jumping in here
I was looking around at properties in Santa Cruz area..one of my old faves. I'm looking for another home away from Hawaii...so I can cruise a little on the mainland. The mobile homes (Sheesh! never thought I'd say THAT in relation to myself!) look affordable, but I was wondering the same thing..what the parks are like. I know I like Aptos, and love the blues weekend there in May. I'll be curious to see what you think once you get there Maine.
Pacific, so you've lived there most of your life? Still like it? I know I loved it back in the 60s, and it seemed great again a few years back.
-aloha

[DYNO LITE]

I Lived In S/c For Two Years, 63,64 When It Was Fun> But Now Ive Been Told By Local Friends That There Is A Stagnate Culture Of People Who Practice Witch Craft And Other Shamefull Things Not Worth Discussing.