Pros and Cons of Santa Cruz County

So let’s jump right in and talk about some of the pros in Santa Cruz County. Pro number one: the ocean. Of course, Santa Cruz County has over 30 public beaches, and if you have semi-private or remote access beaches, Although I myself am not a surfer, the area is known for its unique year-round surfability.

If the beach or ocean aren’t your thing, don’t worry; Santa Cruz County is also known for its beautiful redwood forests. You can quite literally go from the ocean to the redwood mountains in less than 10 minutes.

This historic county is also full of museums, galleries, and fine dining. Its laid-back environment is appealing by nature. Whether you enjoy a bike ride along the coast, cliffs, or mountain biking at Nisene Marks Park, Santa Cruz Country has a vibe. There are many job opportunities here in Santa Cruz County, including public service, hospitality, and agriculture. Santa Cruz County is also a relatively easy commute location for those who work in Santa Clara County but want to live outside the Silicon Valley.

So I could go on and on about all the great things Santa Cruz County has to offer, but I want to make sure to stay true to the video and give you a few of the cons.

The county is basically split down the middle between the ocean side and the mountain side, and it is split primarily by Highway 1, which is a two-lane highway. Thousands of people commute daily on this highway, and traffic can be a point of contention. Although the county has many alternative transportation methods such as bikes, trails, buses, etc., it appears to be an ongoing dilemma when it comes time to create proper infrastructure that reduces traffic concerns.

Santa Cruz County is also unfortunately affected by unhoused individuals, and with a lack of resources, strict building regulations, and little to no new homes being built, the problem is ever-increasing. The average home price for Santa Cruz County is 1.3 million, which in combination with a dense population contributes to this.

Santa Cruz County is also not an ideal place for shopping, with high-end stores and a relatively small indoor and outdoor mall. You are limited when it comes to retail. Although in the last 10 years they have been able to bring in some bigger box stores, such as Home Depot and Target, the county likes to keep the area local and therefore is slightly underdeveloped. This could be a pro or a con. You’re going to have to make the call on that one.

Overall, Santa Cruz County is an ideal family-friendly community. It is centrally located and has a variety of public and private school options. and is home to the beautiful University of Santa Cruz Go Slugs. If you are looking to move to Santa Cruz County, I would be happy to discuss the neighborhoods and all there is to offer. Feel free to reach out. I am Lazy Deverick with Lacey Deverick Homes powered by Windemere, located in downtown Willow Glen. If you would like me to film a video on a specific area of Santa Cruz County, comment below and I will make sure to do so. And Lesslie makes sure to watch my other videos that go over the pros and cons of the surrounding counties.