Help needed finding a rental in Santa Cruz (Scotts Valley) area!! (Aptos: credit, how much)

[jaynetarzana]

We're moving back to the Santa Cruz area (Scotts Valley) in about 8 weeks and we need a rental. I've been looking on craigslist, realtor.com, vrbo.com and other property management companies in the area, but I can't find anything decent. We were hoping to rent in Scotts Valley since our plan is to eventually buy there (as long as prices come down far enough).

We're looking for single story 2-3 bedroom, 1-2 bath with a yard and washer/dryer hook ups that would allow our well behaved Pug for $2000 or less a month. We need something with minimal carpeting because of allergies. Best case scenario would be a month to month lease since we will be house hunting. We have A+ credit.

If anyone has any leads for me or can suggest another place for me to look, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance everyone!

[West2South]

You can access the Santa Cruz Sentinel classified ads at: Santa Cruz Sentinel Homefinder - Home

Good luck!!

[jaynetarzana]

Thanks for the suggestion. That is one I hadn't thought of.

[pluto1]

You can also check out khrido.com Not sure how popular it is over there.

[jaynetarzana]

I checked it, but no listings. It doesn't appear to have caught on here yet. Thanks though!

[jaynetarzana]

Does anyone know someone with a vacation home in the area that they would let to rent out short term? Thanks!

[jaynetarzana]

Still haven't found a rental and we are moving there in a week. Someone today told me that they live in Scotts Valley and they have to run their air conditioning all summer long. Can anyone comment on that? If that is the case, perhaps we will move back to the Aptos/Rio Del Mar area. I can't stand living in air conditioning 24/7. I'd rather deal with the fog. Thanks in advance for your replies.

[AndrewSoss]

I just checked MLS for you and didn't find anything suitable...sorry, good luck.

I've had the best luck w/ Craigslist, FWIW.

[jaynetarzana]

I have checked craigslist several times a day, every day since January. We narrowed our search to the upper west side since we want to send our kids to Westlake elementary. And we have only found one place that we really liked, but they decided to rent it other applicants and we suspect that it was because we have children and a dog. So we found a vacation rental for a few months, but now we have been living in hotels and we can't take it anymore. We need to be settled. The housing stock here is outdated at best and we can't believe how much rent costs here! We are so discouraged and frustrated and thinking that perhaps we have made a mistake by coming back here.

[coolwaves]

It is hard to find a place for $2k. Perhaps after August you may be able to find a vacation rental in the winter months for less money. Check with a realtor for vacation homes.