santa cruz vs san jose: a cost & lifestyle comparison

San Jose is “just over the hill” from our smaller community, but there is a world of difference between the two, both in cost of living and the quality of life.

We’ve already covered why home buyers are choosing Santa Cruz over larger centers like San Francisco. The same is true for San Jose.

San Jose is the third most populous city in California, after Los Angeles and San Diego. Its population of over one million residents dwarfs Santa Cruz's 60,000. A comparison of Santa Cruz and San Jose is really like comparing apples and oranges.

San Jose is a major commercial hub and the center of Silicon Valley, and Santa Cruz is a sleepy hamlet by the sea in comparison. A lot of the decision making will be personal preference and we wear our personal…

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Soquel is a wonderfully scenic small community that takes up a prized position just north of the Cabrillo Highway from the city of Capitola. The charming village is epitomized by a small-town feel, bordered by the imposing Santa Cruz mountain range and rugged Northern California coastline.

The larger city of Santa Cruz can be reached in mere minutes and the metropolises of San Jose and San Francisco are both, just over the hill - about an hour and an hour and a half to the north respectively. This convenient distance has made Soquel a popular alternative to the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. It's incredibly appealing coastal lifestyle has started to bring it to prominence in its own right, growing in popularity like much of the greater Santa…

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everything you need to after after you move into your new santa cruz home

You’ve found your perfect home, completed the purchase process, hired movers and successfully moved all your stuff.

That’s it right? Time to enjoy your new life in your new home.

Not quite.

While you’ve nearly crossed the finish line, there are a few details still left to be taken care of. Luckily, we’ve compiled this guide with everything you need to do, after you’ve moved into your new Santa Cruz home.

Check Over Everything

Now that everything has been unloaded from the moving truck, run through everything that’s been unpacked to ensure nothing has been missed. Hopefully you’ve prepared a checklist of packed items that you can reference.

If something is missing, you’ll want to notify the movers as soon as possible. You should then…

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lions gate bridge in san francisco, ca

Home buyers are choosing Santa Cruz.

And the reason are clear: The wonderfully picturesque coastal community boasts incredible year-round weather, not to mention miles upon miles of breathtaking beaches.

This is just one of several reasons why homebuyers are choosing Santa Cruz over the more major big-city of San Francisco, less than two hours to the north. Let’s explore what else Santa Cruz has going for it.

A Lower Cost of Living

Housing is almost certainly the number one cost of living for residents of any city. And this in this regard, Santa Cruz home owners are laughing. The cost of purchasing a home is as much as 50% higher in San Francisco in some cases. The median price of a home in Santa Cruz is $909,500 compared to $1,378,300 in…

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the do's & don'ts of buying investment property in santa cruz, ca

With beautiful beaches, a charming small-town atmosphere, and plenty of real estate options, it's little wonder why Santa Cruz is one of the most popular coastal communities in California. When you invest in Santa Cruz real estate at the right time, at the right price, it is proven to be a solid investment— whether it's you're looking for something to rent out to long-term tenants or a part-time residence for yourself and short-term renters.  

Before you commit, here's what you need to know about the dos and don't of buying an investment property: 

Considerations Before Buying Your First Investment Home

Before jumping in head-first with your first investment property, there are a few things you should be aware of.

Owning investment…

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