Best Places to Raise a Family In Santa Cruz County

The area of Santa Cruz County is known for its beautiful beaches, outdoor recreation opportunities, and fun and exciting attractions—which is why people love to visit! But what is it like to live here? And how ideal is it for families?

We’ve crunched the numbers and have compiled a list of the best family-friendly neighborhoods, based on the following criteria: safety and security of each community, quality of schools, available properties, accessibility and number of local amenities, and general satisfaction of residents in the area. 

For new families thinking of moving into the Santa Cruz County area, but don’t know where to start, here is our list of the best places to live!

Aptos

Aptos, located east of Santa Cruz and Capitola, is a town comprised of several smaller areas, which stretches from the more mountainous regions all the way down to the water. This is considered one of the best areas for families because it ranks highly under the categories of safety, quality of schools, and area amenities.

Within the town, you’ll find a number of things to do, specifically parks and trails. Aptos is home to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and the vast amount of hiking trails within it, as well as small neighborhood parks with playgrounds and sports fields. Plus, shopping in Aptos is easy and convenient.

As well, there are a number of highly-rated schools within Aptos, including Valencia Elementary School, Mar Vista Elementary School, Delta High School, and Cabrillo College.

Rio Del Mar

Located within Aptos is the village of Rio Del Mar. Of all communities in and around Aptos, Rio Del Mar rates highly for safety and great amenities. Rio Del Mar touches the water, which means you'll find long stretches of beautiful beaches—perfect for spending the day outdoors.

Rio Del Mar does not have as much choice when it comes to available properties as other areas, however. These are very desirable homes and the market is competitive. Of course, this is also partly because living in the area is so sought-after. 

Home to Rio Del Mar Elementary School, kids will enjoy the parks and beaches, while adults will enjoy the area restaurants and shopping.

Scotts Valley

Many make the move to Scotts Valley for its location—which makes for an easy commute to both Santa Cruz and San Jose. It’s easy to get around here! For families moving to the area for work, that makes this community a great option. As well, the number of neighborhood parks and schools in this region are also an attractive feature.

Another big draw of Scotts Valley is the properties available; that is, there are many neighborhoods within the area that provide potential buyers with a lot of choice, specifically in regards to price point. This is an area both for young, first-time buyers and larger families. 

Soquel

The people’s choice, Soquel is located north of Capitola—which means easy access to the area’s amenities, but with the added bonus of quiet, safe residential streets.

Residents love Soquel for its welcoming atmosphere, short commute times for work, and top schools (including Soquel Elementary School and Soquel High School). Those living in Soquel can easily travel to Capitola, Santa Cruz, and even Silicon Valley. 

Soquel also has some great amenities, which include everything from a centrally-located shopping center to highly-rated restaurants interspersed throughout the community. And, of course, you’re only a short drive to the beach!

Are you considering making Santa Cruz County your home? You’ll need an expert’s advice! Contact Lauren Spencer today to start your search for your dream home.