Santa Cruz mountains (San Jose, San Lorenzo, Truckee: for rent, homes, job market)

[susie66n]

I have been looking into Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Lompico and the San Lorenzo Valley but I can't find out a lot on the internet. Since it is so close to Santa Cruz and the college do these areas get crowded with students on the weekends and summers. I know you can't go swimming in Loch Lomond, is there anywhere you can? What is the weather like. How far do you have to go to do any shopping? How about earthquakes? I would like to find pictures of the towns. I am coming from southern CA. it's getting way too crowded down here.

[WatRQ]

the San Lorenzo Valley (which includes Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Lompico and Felton) gets crowded summer weekends from tourists, but the student population from UCSC doesn't affect us much up here. There are several public pools, the river, and the beach for swimming. The weather is definitely a concern for people--it rains a LOT in the winter. If you don't like rain, forget it. Also, if you're used to four lane highways (and even two-way streets) to get everywhere, it'll be quite a shock. As far as shopping goes, it depends on what type of shopping you mean. It takes me 10 minutes to get to a grocery store, 20 to a major one (Safeway in Felton) but if you are a mall-a-holic, then you're going to have to go into Capitola or San Jose which is about 45 minutes. This is real mountain living--we have occasional snow, downed trees, wild animals, power outages, and wild storms. But it's a great place to live and I wouldn't trade it for anything I can find in the city.

[klove10]

HI,
I was wondering if there are many jobs for massage therapists there? I am considering moving from Tahoe and its been hard trying to find the perfect little town. Cost of living etc? Can you share some info? Thanks

[rubyskye]

I'd rather live in Santa Cruz county because I like to be closer to the ocean and from my experience, in general, rents are not that cheaper (if at all) in Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, etc. than they are in Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, and Santa Cruz.
If you want to get to the Ocean you gotta time it right or else you'll get stuck in brutal traffic. If I have to go up there from the Santa Cruz area I only do it in the middle of the day. From 3 on, the traffic is a real drag ... same for before 9:30ish in the morning.
It's a really special area but you have to be prepared for extremely wet weather between the end of October and into March-April (roughly) and many of the homes are quite dark because of the S.C. mountains and the redwoods. So rain, darkness and mold/mildew musn't be an issue for you. Scotts Valley is an option as well ... more open spaces ... not so closed in.
Also, no-one mentions this but tics abound in the redwoods so if you have a dog (as I do) and don't like using that front-line crap, it can be a real drag. Gotta check your own body too if you're out in the woods ... or just out on the land period. Tics ..... arrrggghhhhhhhh!

[rubyskye]

The entire Santa Cruz area (the county itself and up into the mountains ... Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek etc.) has a thriving alternative healing community but I don't know about job markets.
It's a very expensive area and you have to be open and flexible when it comes to housing. I've lived in some truly funky places and paid alot for them. I lived in a place in Aptos a few years ago that my landlord built in the 70's with some friends while on acid. Unique to say the least. The wood rats loved it though.
Although the housing situation for a single person like me in the Truckee area has proven impossible when I've considered moving back there in the last couple of years. I'm too old to live in a household with 8 other people.
I love Santa Cruz and the S.C. mountains and the only thing (besides tics) that really bugs me is the housing situation. It's not just the expense ... I'm used to that because I always live in "hot spots" where rents are high. But often what you get for that high rent is really a drag. But i believe that it is possible to find the right place. I figure if you truly belong somewhere, you'll find the right place as long as you're open and flexible which that area asks of you anyway. Good for growth and evolution but sometimes quite challenging.

[leppardf]

I can only agree with other posts here. The area is expensive and "quirky" in the types of homes available. You don't mention whether sharing is an option, but that would make it easier for sure. I moved here from England, and was shocked by the prices for rents and some commodities.
However, there is nowhere in the world I would rather be, and I will fight hard to keep my little corner of paradise!