Hey folks, With a population of 60,953, Santa Cruz is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $111,427 in Santa Cruz. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Worth the trade-offs?
24 upvotes
15 Replies
Albert W.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Santiago Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
la_valentina
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Hunter
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Michael C.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Elijah Reyes
Came here for school and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Claire L.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Asian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
21 upvotes
Elizabeth W.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Nicholas F.
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Melanie M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Alexander A.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Alice Martin
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
10 upvotes
Emily Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
Gabriella Mitchell
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are solid. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Beverly M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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