Santa Cruz is one of the most vibrant and happening cities near the San Francisco Bay Area. From glamorous beaches and picturesque wineries to glitzy restaurants and lively markets – you’ll find just about everything in Santa Cruz. Not to mention, you get excellent opportunities to go surfing, fishing, hiking, etc.
But Santa Cruz isn’t just an awesome travel destination. It’s home to some of the best residential properties, as well as excellent educational institutions and local businesses. The best part is that the city’s diverse community is always ready to welcome you with open arms. This makes Santa Cruz a great place to live in.
It isn’t surprising that Santa Cruz consistently ranks higher in various lists of the world’s happiest and healthiest places to live in. This, however, has resulted in sky-high real-estate prices. Whether you’re moving to Santa Cruz for a long haul or just a few months, you need to carefully plan your relocation.
From finding the right home to physically moving all your belongings – relocating to Santa Cruz can be extremely tedious and exhausting. That’s why, in this blog, we’ve compiled a handy checklist of things you should consider before moving to Santa Cruz. Let’s take a look.
Before you even start planning your relocation to Santa Cruz, you need to scout various neighborhoods in the city. The diverse culture and natural landscape of Santa Cruz make it home to a plethora of picture-perfect neighborhoods. However, each area comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Of course, your first thought would be to live in the main city. Who wouldn’t want to live along that spectacular coastline? However, beyond its picture-perfect charm, the cost of living in Santa Cruz city can be exceptionally high. Also, you’ll likely have to spend hours commuting to and from work.
If you’re looking for a quieter and more peaceful area to live in, you should consider living in the suburbs. For instance, you can live in Aptos to enjoy your daily rendezvous with nature. Likewise, Scott’s Valley is an excellent option for growing families, as well as people working in Silicon Valley.
It’s recommended that you visit these neighborhoods in person to feel the vibe and get an idea of the cost of living. If that isn’t possible, you should extensively read about them online. Reach out to people living in these areas and learn more about their first-hand experience.
Unless you’ve bought your own home in Santa Cruz, you’ll likely have to stay in a rented property. Being one of the most in-demand cities to live in, rentals in Santa Cruz tend to be pretty expensive. This also means there are plenty of substandard housing options and greedy landlords all across the city.
Make sure you thoroughly check the amenities and carefully read the agreement before signing your lease. Also, it might be a good idea to find a trusted real estate agent who can show you around and help you find a suitable home.
Before you can enjoy the spirited ambiance of Santa Cruz, you need to physically move there with all your belonging. The best way of doing this is to hire a reputed and trustworthy moving company to help you out. From safely packing and transporting your essential to helping you unpack – a moving company should take care of everything.
The good news is that even a simple Google search will give you plenty of options for professional Santa Cruz movers. Alternatively, you can check out various discussion forums and social media platforms to get vendor recommendations from people who’ve actually relocated to Santa Cruz.
Irrespective of the vendor you select, make sure you check their online reviews and ratings. This is also a good time to set aside a dedicated relocation fund. If you’re on a tight budget, you could consider packing your stuff by yourself and booking a moving truck for transportation.
Considering the huge demand for real estate in Santa Cruz, it can take a while before you find the perfect home. You should be mentally prepared to spend a couple of weeks or months at a hotel, Airbnb, or transient home.
Needless to say, unpacking all your belongings in such a temporary isn’t the best idea. Instead, you should book an affordable storage unit to safely keep all your stuff while you go house hunting.
Do you have any other tips for people moving to Santa Cruz? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.
People want furnishings that are comfortable and versatile. They like flexibility in their daily life,…
Life as a busy mom can often feel like a never-ending juggling act. It’s natural…
When it comes to navigating the bustling roads of India, the unpredictable nature of traffic,…
India’s roads are a dynamic network connecting its vast geography, but they also present significant…
The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge has been my family's go-to destination for a quick trip. It is…
This post contains affiliate links. Sweepstakes Advantage has thousands of current giveaways to enter and…
This website uses cookies.