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Old 09-10-2015, 12:15 PM
 
20 posts, read 35,467 times
Reputation: 18

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I am considering a potential job change with an employer based in Watsonville. I've been doing online research to try to find a decent affordable place to live but am very discouraged by the cost of living. I'm currently living in Charlotte, and while I understand there would be a big jump in cost of living, I'm still experiencing some serious sticker shock. The new job would offer a very nice jump in salary (new salary would be approximately in the $160k - $220k range), so I am still considering it. However, even at that new salary, I'm struggling to find a neighborhood that is safe, offers good schools and is affordable. I have two young children and want to make sure they grow up in a good neighborhood with great schools and minimal drug/gang influence. In order of priority, here are my criteria for a new neighborhood:
1. Safety (i.e., low crime/drugs/etc.)
2. Good schools
3. Affordability based on salary noted above
4. Proximity to Watsonville (I'd like to keep my drive to 45 min or less if possible)

Any suggestions on family-friendly neighborhoods with good schools and low crime that would be within my potential $ range?

Thanks!
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Old 09-10-2015, 04:31 PM
 
Location: Mountains of Oregon
17,635 posts, read 22,634,216 times
Reputation: 14408
If you don't find a place you love around Watsonville, look around Aptos, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Felton, or perhaps Prunedale. One of my brothers has lived there for about 25 years. It's a short drive to W.

Years ago we enjoyed fishing/camping at Pinto Lake & fishing/crabbing by Moss Landing.
We spent many a happy Friday night going to the dirt track races at the Fairgrounds...

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

Ocean Speedway @ Watsonville

ENjoy a good meal at the Shadowbrook.....

Shadowbrook Restaurant

Best of Luck to y'all...
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Old 09-10-2015, 05:36 PM
 
Location: State of Transition
102,210 posts, read 107,859,557 times
Reputation: 116138
If you can't afford a place in Watsonville in a decent neighborhood, you won't be able to afford a place elsewhere in Santa Cruz County, which is where the towns Hawk mentioned are located, except Prunedale. There are definitely better schools there, but those are more expensive towns. Prunedale might work for you, but I don't know about the schools. There's a website that rates schools everywhere in the US, you could check there.

Are you married? Could your wife work at least part-time, to help out?
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Old 09-10-2015, 09:32 PM
 
75 posts, read 154,144 times
Reputation: 55
You won't be able to live in Santa Cruz County for $200K. Can you renegotiate?
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Old 09-11-2015, 09:10 AM
 
183 posts, read 254,325 times
Reputation: 57
I think he's saying that his salary would be in the $160K - $220K range.... not that he's looking for a home in that price range. I've been gone from the Monterey Peninsula for too long to make recommendations, but just wanted to point out what I think he is saying.
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Old 09-11-2015, 11:17 PM
 
Location: Mountains of Oregon
17,635 posts, read 22,634,216 times
Reputation: 14408
Here is the map i wanted to show you, but forgot to...

Santa Cruz County CA - County Map
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Old 09-13-2015, 08:53 PM
 
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
1,722 posts, read 1,742,090 times
Reputation: 1341
You can find a good rental (i'm assuming you're not going to be buying property until you've relocated and know that the area suits you and your family) in Santa Cruz county near to your job in Watsonville with a salary of 200K. There are o.k. areas of Watsonville but it sounds like you and your family will be more comfortable in Corralitos, Aptos or Soquel or Capitola. Scotts Valley may be a good option as well. Maybe farther from Watsonville than you would want. Someone suggested Felton but it's a drag of a commute (imo) and it's in the redwoods in the S.C. mountains and winter can be daunting and potentially problematic (damp, dark, cold, trees down during storms presenting commuting issues, loss of electricity, etc.) You may or may not be able to get to your work place in 45 minutes depending on where your work place in Watsonville is.
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Old 11-17-2015, 02:57 PM
 
37 posts, read 121,411 times
Reputation: 74
Red face La Selva Beach

Your salary is adequate for La Selva...the commute would be wonderful. It is a great town of about
8,000. Watsonville would be the last place to call home in Santa Cruz County IMHO.
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Old 11-19-2015, 12:51 PM
 
1,850 posts, read 1,138,158 times
Reputation: 2436
Quote:
Originally Posted by kirby10 View Post
Your salary is adequate for La Selva...the commute would be wonderful. It is a great town of about
8,000. Watsonville would be the last place to call home in Santa Cruz County IMHO.
x1000
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