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Old 11-06-2013, 05:37 PM
 
643 posts, read 917,967 times
Reputation: 600

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Quote:
Originally Posted by movingtoqueencity View Post
Hi,

my handle "movingtoqueencity" was motivated by searching for info about Charlotte NC 1+ years ago, when we moved from Cincinnati OH. Received great advice at that time and hope to be as lucky now.

Spouse is being interviewed for a job in Watsonville. We are a family of 5: husband and myself plus 16yo, 5yo, 1yo.all girls (+dog).

Like I said, we were really lucky when we moved to Charlotte and I hope to find the same things i did here in this new area...these things being:

1. great neighbors- i want open, friendly people that would welcome us to the neighborhood
2. great schools (because of age span it would have to be HS, ES and preschool- is montessori to much to ask for?! an ES IB program?)
(we certainly prefer public schools but could consider alternatives)
3. good dance studio for 16 yo . that does hip hop/jazz AND pointe/classical
4. great YMCA or the like (i LOVE LOVE LOVE the Y in CLT- started doing triathlons there and found a great group of people to befriend) close by
5. preferrably short commute for my husband (30 min. max)

We are open to all areas north and south of Watsonville. We would most probably rent but if we *find* the right house we would consider buying.
Consider corralitos and aptos for sure.
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Old 11-06-2013, 05:38 PM
 
643 posts, read 917,967 times
Reputation: 600
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsltd View Post
How can someplace be boring and yet have a ton of personality? I guess it's just like some people at different times?
Theres not a whole lot going on there especially for a 20 something. But its got a ton of personality.
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Old 11-06-2013, 06:41 PM
 
Location: Vancouver, WA
8,214 posts, read 16,700,075 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by California831 View Post
Theres not a whole lot going on there especially for a 20 something. But its got a ton of personality.
Consider the OP's requirements and target audience, a family with kids. For them 20 something stuff isn't very relevant or high on the priority list. Scotts Valley is a beautiful area for outdoor activities, hiking, mtn biking, etc... So it really depends on what one considers boring. The same is true for most of the 831 area code. Living in Big Sur for example could be someone's dream come true or extremely boring depending on what one likes to do in their free time. For mingling with young singles in various venues for example, maybe not so great.

Derek
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Old 11-07-2013, 09:59 AM
 
643 posts, read 917,967 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnSurfer View Post
Consider the OP's requirements and target audience, a family with kids. For them 20 something stuff isn't very relevant or high on the priority list. Scotts Valley is a beautiful area for outdoor activities, hiking, mtn biking, etc... So it really depends on what one considers boring. The same is true for most of the 831 area code. Living in Big Sur for example could be someone's dream come true or extremely boring depending on what one likes to do in their free time. For mingling with young singles in various venues for example, maybe not so great.

Derek
I have never understood why anyone would want to live in scotts valley. Its very racially homogeneous and has absolutely nothing to do. Its greatest asset is its proximity to Highway 17 and the commute to san jose which doesnt help the OP out at all. Id say avoid Scotts Valley. But you right about the interests. I guess this entire area is pretty similar (outdoors, beach, no big cities), so it really doesnt matter where you live.
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Old 11-07-2013, 10:12 AM
 
1,614 posts, read 2,072,214 times
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Scotts Valley is 86% white. Watsonville is 82% latino. I wouldn't call either city diverse.
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Old 11-07-2013, 02:16 PM
 
Location: Mountains of Oregon
17,635 posts, read 22,639,503 times
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We moved away many years ago, but when we lived in Prunedale, etc, in the area, we really enjoyed going to the Friday Night dirt track races at Watsonville Fairgrounds. My whole family & friends loved the Races...

Ocean Speedway @ Watsonville

My family loved going to Pinto Lake to picnic, fish, explore, hike around. Sometimes we brought the ol motorhome & stayed a few days......

Pinto Lake Park: RV campground, quiet lake camping near the Monterey Bay / Santa Cruz

I don't know how it is around Watsonville nowadays.

I Hope it's still a Wonderful Adventure for your Family, if you choose to live by Watsonville....

Drive Safely...
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Old 11-07-2013, 02:54 PM
 
643 posts, read 917,967 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zombocom View Post
Scotts Valley is 86% white. Watsonville is 82% latino. I wouldn't call either city diverse.
This is true. But watsonville is better!!
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Old 11-07-2013, 02:56 PM
 
643 posts, read 917,967 times
Reputation: 600
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawk J View Post
We moved away many years ago, but when we lived in Prunedale, etc, in the area, we really enjoyed going to the Friday Night dirt track races at Watsonville Fairgrounds. My whole family & friends loved the Races...

Ocean Speedway @ Watsonville

My family loved going to Pinto Lake to picnic, fish, explore, hike around. Sometimes we brought the ol motorhome & stayed a few days......

Pinto Lake Park: RV campground, quiet lake camping near the Monterey Bay / Santa Cruz

I don't know how it is around Watsonville nowadays.

I Hope it's still a Wonderful Adventure for your Family, if you choose to live by Watsonville....

Drive Safely...
Pinto Lake is always lots of fun!
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Old 11-10-2013, 01:16 AM
 
24 posts, read 34,654 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by California831 View Post
I have never understood why anyone would want to live in scotts valley. Its very racially homogeneous and has absolutely nothing to do.
Perhaps some people enjoy living with other people from their own race and/or culture?
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Old 11-10-2013, 01:27 AM
 
24 posts, read 34,654 times
Reputation: 72
And since I'm here, Toro park is very nice, but very expensive, although I know there are some rentals in that area for around 2k for some of the smaller houses. And the elementary school and middle school as one poster said, are very nice. Once you reach high school, your children will go to Salinas High, which is actually the best public high school in Salinas. Salinas High may have a bad reputation with people that do not actually live in Salinas, because it is in Salinas, but the truth is, it is an okay high school. It is fairly large and so there are enough kids there that whatever your children are into, they will find like minded people.

Salinas' reputation though is not undeserved, it has a lot of issues, especially when it comes to gangs. Salinas High does a pretty good job of keeping the gangsters out, but some still go there. If your kids ended up going there though, they would be fine and could get a decent education.

The biggest problem you would have though, would be the commute. Much of the drive from Salinas to Watsonville...in fact almost all of it, is on one lane and it can get pretty backed up during commute times. I have several friends that make that drive on off hours and it only takes them about 30 minutes, but trying to do it during commute hours could take an hour plus easy.

This area has a lot to offer though and once you get settled and start figuring out where everything is, you really will enjoy it here, its beautiful and the weather can't be beat....I hope you like 70 degrees, it always seems to be 70 degrees
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