Santa Cruz (San Jose, Watsonville, Pacifica: apartments, to rent, townhouse)

[Goingplaces]

I hope to be there in a few weeks to find out if this is the place for me to relocate.

What's the weather like in Santa Cruz? What is the business style for clothes? For casual?

What is the most affordable area to live in?

What areas have the greatest opportunities for work?

Thank you for all of your input. It really helps a lot.

[Luke9686]

The weather is sunny and nice from about May through September, then it is cool and rainy. Unfortunately, Santa Cruz is not really affordable. It is just about the same price as in San Jose. I believe most people commute to the San Jose area for work. There is not much work in Santa Cruz. The University if probably the biggest employer.

I think the main thing you need to determine is weather you will be able to live comfortably on your salary.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

The weather is sunny and nice from about May through September, then it is cool and rainy. Unfortunately, Santa Cruz is not really affordable. It is just about the same price as in San Jose. I believe most people commute to the San Jose area for work. There is not much work in Santa Cruz. The University if probably the biggest employer.

I think the main thing you need to determine is weather you will be able to live comfortably on your salary.

Don't forget the commute from Santa Cruz is Rte 17.... over a big mountain on a four lane highway (2 lanes each way) that frequently gets jammed up from accidents, overheating, rain and SNOW at the peak.

[SantaCruzIsMyHome]

Check out Bohova Travel for great Santa Cruz information.

There are unfortunately not really any affordable places to live around Santa Cruz if you are on a tight budget. Best to think about having roomates... San Jose and Watsonville are a little cheaper but still expensive.

That being said, I think that if you really love it there you will find a way to stay as many people do. It is a great city with a great mixture of personalities.

As far as fashion goes, it is very much casual in every aspect. There are no good places to go and buy really nice clothes unless you go up to San Fran., it is rare to see anyone in a suit or a tie, and there are really no restaurants that you couldn't walk into with shorts and a t-shirt and raise any eyebrows (besides Oswalds, and it's closed right now for relocation).

Come visit for a weekend and take a drive around westcliff, highway 1, USCS campus, and Cowell State Park with all of the beautiful redwoods. The weather is 90% of the time perfectly cool and sunny.

Good luck!

Chris

[Osuzzanna]

Santa Cruz does have some affordable locations. Check out the 'Sentinel' and also Craig's List. There are many places that are in the lower rent catagory because of the students. Good luck

[astrosona]

Hi folks, can you please name me the places which the apartments are really cheap? i want to transfer to Cabrillo College and i need to look for cheap places to rent.

thanks

[Luke9686]

Ask yourself why these places are cheap before moving in.

[john_norcal]

Like the previous poster said - ask yourself why it's cheap. My daughter has stayed in SC after she graduated from UC. Jobs are not plentiful, especially in this economy. Housing is not cheap, she's sharing an older townhouse right now for about $1600 a month. It's not a fancy place by any means, cold and damp.
SC is a nice place though if you can afford to live in a nicer area. I've enjoyed every restaurant that I've been too (especially the Crepe Place) and enjoy the beaches and Pacifica Ave. If you're moving there don't expect to find any well paying jobs in the city, there are a lot of 30 year old waitresses looking for work.