Santa

What is the best area to live in Santa Cruz?

I'm moving to Santa Cruz to go to UCSC. What is the best area to live? Is there anyplace in Santa Cruz that is not expensive but still a good area?

Public Comments

1. It's not very big so pretty much anywhere in town is about the same as anywhere else. You would want to live close to UCSC - probably close enough to walk to classes if you can. You would probably be better off living on campus for at least one semester if you can though, that way you can learn your way around before getting an apartment.
2. Dont live near downtown or Ocean Ave or Riverside Ave, too many drug dealers and motels. I would recommend the far side of S.C. like Live Oak, Soquel or Capitola near to Santa Cruz.
3. Paranormal doesn't live here, and Jennifer is wrong about living on the "far side of town". Comute times from Live Oak or Capitola could take an hour or more in the mornings. I'd recommend sharing a house on the west side. Campus is less than 10 minutes away, houses are older but mostly well maintained and the rent is affordable when shared. Stay away from downtown and live oak area. Too many gangs and drugs...
4. When i first moved here for college I rented an apt in Capitola and loved it! Then when I wanted to get a dog I moved in to Santa Cruz to rent a house and within the first 2 months my car got broken into and vandalized and I had to get a P.O box because somebody was going through my mail. My first year in Capitola nothing ever happened and there are no homeless ppl asking for money. If you want to live in SC just stay far away from downtown!