Moving from LA to Santa Cruz--Help! (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: for sale, apartments, rentals)

[cassidy2]

Hi. I currently live in LA. I am not happy. I want to move to the Santa Cruz, area and go to school. First, I need affordable housing; thus, I am looking for a single/studio for approx. $900.00. Next, I am currently attending Santa Monica College and need to transfer to a good, no great, community college in order to get into Berkley or UC Santa Cruz.
Lastly, I am into the healing arts, working on my screenplay and shopping.
Note, I know the screenplay, bit, sounds cheezy but the subject matter is esoteric in nature.
Any help, advice or counsel would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[MtnSurfer]

Check out Cabrillo College in Aptos. Its a community college so price should be right. Then check craiglist for rentals/roomates of course. Many college students live in SC so you request is a fairly common thing. I don't know about the rest, maybe others will chime in.

Derek

[bigdumbgod]

Foothill CC, De Anza CC, and West Valley CC are all quality schools in very nice places. Gotta jump on getting your classes early though, since many people are opting for community college over universities right now, or for getting degrees related to getting specific jobs.

[nr5667]

Cabrillo College is a good school, it has a guaranteed transfer arrangement with UCSC (and SJ State, I think) provided you take the proper courses and maintain a sufficiently high GPA. All other community colleges are over the hill, and a bit of a drive; Cabrillo is a pretty good college, so there wouldn't be much point in driving to a different school. Have you been to the UCSC campus? While it is beautiful, it's cut off from the city, and also very spread out, walking between classes could wind up taking 30 minutes if you don't plan wisely.

[cassidy2]

Originally Posted by nr5667

Cabrillo College is a good school, it has a guaranteed transfer arrangement with UCSC (and SJ State, I think) provided you take the proper courses and maintain a sufficiently high GPA. All other community colleges are over the hill, and a bit of a drive; Cabrillo is a pretty good college, so there wouldn't be much point in driving to a different school. Have you been to the UCSC campus? While it is beautiful, it's cut off from the city, and also very spread out, walking between classes could wind up taking 30 minutes if you don't plan wisely.

No, I have not checked out the campus, in person. However, living in Los Angeles has left me feeling frantic and fryed. A good hike between classes might be just what I need. By the way, where should I look for a place? Also, I love, love, love, shopping at a clothing store by the name of Cross Roads Trading Company. I noticed there is a Santa Cruz location on Pacific Ave. Is it delusional to think I could live close to town?
Thanks for reading this post.

[sms1967]

I don't know the area very well, especially community colleges, but UCSC is basically isolated in the mountains... if that's your thing. As Cassidy wrote, the campus is spread out and has a 'woodsy' feel to it. Not the beach feel you might expect. As for living, I LOVE Capitola. It's just south of Santa Cruz and seems to have a great balance of beach, small town and urban availability. Maybe give that a look.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by cassidy2

No, I have not checked out the campus, in person. However, living in Los Angeles has left me feeling frantic and fryed. A good hike between classes might be just what I need. By the way, where should I look for a place? Also, I love, love, love, shopping at a clothing store by the name of Cross Roads Trading Company. I noticed there is a Santa Cruz location on Pacific Ave. Is it delusional to think I could live close to town?
Thanks for reading this post.

Check out "rooms and shares" as well.
craigslist: santa cruz classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events
Actually, i've seen some unusually inexpensive (relatively speaking!!!) rentals lately.
Be open to Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, and Santa Cruz.
If you don't have a car, make sure you find a place within walking distance (or biking distance ... bikes go easily on the bus bike rack) to a bus line.
You don't want to be up in places like Felton, Brookdale, Boulder Creek or even Scotts Valley ... too much of a commute.
It's a good time to look as kids are back in school and people, in general, are more settled and and looking toward the winter months.
It's not delusional to think you can live close to downtown.
And, if you go to Cabrillo, you won't have problems with access even if you don't have a car.
It's a straight shot from the downtown area to Aptos (Cabrillo) and the bust system here is excellent and runs regularly by the college.
And same if you want to live in Aptos and be closer to Cabrillo.
Getting downtown to shop and hang out is a breeze by bike, car or bus.
Traffic is a bit heavy during rush hour but not brutal on the "side streets" ... it just takes a little more time and once you know who to get where you're going without getting on HWY 1, no problem.
Good luck.

[cassidy2]

Originally Posted by coyoteskye

Check out "rooms and shares" as well.
craigslist: santa cruz classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events
Actually, i've seen some unusually inexpensive (relatively speaking!!!) rentals lately.
Be open to Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, and Santa Cruz.
If you don't have a car, make sure you find a place within walking distance (or biking distance ... bikes go easily on the bus bike rack) to a bus line.
You don't want to be up in places like Felton, Brookdale, Boulder Creek or even Scotts Valley ... too much of a commute.
It's a good time to look as kids are back in school and people, in general, are more settled and and looking toward the winter months.
It's not delusional to think you can live close to downtown.
And, if you go to Cabrillo, you won't have problems with access even if you don't have a car.
It's a straight shot from the downtown area to Aptos (Cabrillo) and the bust system here is excellent and runs regularly by the college.
And same if you want to live in Aptos and be closer to Cabrillo.
Getting downtown to shop and hang out is a breeze by bike, car or bus.
Traffic is a bit heavy during rush hour but not brutal on the "side streets" ... it just takes a little more time and once you know who to get where you're going without getting on HWY 1, no problem.
Good luck.

Thanks for the information. Next, would you, or anyone know of an inexpensive hotel/motel in Santa Cruz to stay over Thanksgiving so I can check things out. I know there is a Motel 6 in Watsonville for fifty bucks a night but I'de rather stay in Santa Cruz. Thanks.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by cassidy2

Thanks for the information. Next, would you, or anyone know of an inexpensive hotel/motel in Santa Cruz to stay over Thanksgiving so I can check things out. I know there is a Motel 6 in Watsonville for fifty bucks a night but I'de rather stay in Santa Cruz. Thanks.

The Capitola Inn is a place i've stayed often .... ummmm ... in between housing. (don't ask )
I'm not sure what their rates are now.
New management took it over during the summer and i haven't needed them ... yet.
It's in Capitola ... a good walk to down town Capitola (fun to walk around especially off season) but more importantly, it's just a short walk to the main bus route which will take you to downtown Santa Cruz in a fairly short time and up to Cabrillo College if you're interested in looking at that area.
Check out this map to get an idea of how Soquel Drive easily connects the Santa Cruz proper, Capitola, Soquel and Aptos and on into Watsonville.
You'll see, when you're here, how if you live anywhere within walking or biking distance from the bus route on Soquel Drive, you'll be in good shape.
Oh, but you probably have a car.
Anyway .. still good to know.
Click on Map of Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, CA.
The link is messed up.
Map of Soquel Drive
If you really wanna stay in downtown Santa Cruz, i can't help you with a hotel/motel recommendation and i'd prefer (like i'm your mother ) for you to stay in Capitola so you can get a wider view of the area and not feel that you need to be relegated to Santa Cruz proper ... especially if you're going to attend Cabrillo.
I love S.C. but it can be a bit frenetic.
Staying at the Capitola Inn will probably provide you with a better sleep than many places downtown.
And, no, you do not want to stay at a Motel 6 in Watsonville.
If you do stay at the Capitola Inn, ask for a room in the building where the office is and ask for a room on the 2nd floor.
Better rooms and more quiet.
And see if you can bargain with them.
I know that all the motels and hotels are struggling and i imagine they are very empty and could use some $$$.
The Capitola Inn
Sorry i can't help you with a downtown recommendation.
But this is a good place to stay.
And sorry for the "long winded" post.

[nancy thereader]

We stayed in the very downscale but wonderfully located Sunny Cove Motel on East Cliff Drive . Our room had two bedrooms (two Tvs) and a small kitchen with a microwave. The manager Jane is a hoot & there is a secluded beach steps away.