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Axel Cook living

The good and bad of living in Santa Cruz

Anyone else feel this way? I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $1,180,100 on average. Rent is about $2,302/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Anyone in a similar situation? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
18 upvotes

17 Replies

Nicholas B.
I'm a nurse and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Wesley Ruiz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Vivian Wilson
literally same
34 upvotes
Austin W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Ruby Lopez
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
28 upvotes
Carol H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Dominic Hill
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Amelia
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
15 upvotes
Elizabeth Torres
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much wild but now it's solid.
13 upvotes
Andrew Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Weston H.
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
easton_mama
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Henry H.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Cora Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Jameson R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.

I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Carson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value job market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.

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.
0 upvotes
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