Exactly, you totally left out the biggest con. I'm tired of being in danger, hearing screaming, aggressive madmen cursing fowl language day and night, being threatened on the street by vagrants with bats or knives (I'm not exaggerating.) A local beloved business owner was stabbed to death downtown in broad daylight by a junky. I grew up here. Santa Cruz is turning into Gotham City. The drug epidemic and rate of homelessness is unbelievable. People are dying right on the sidewalk, overdosing on fentanol, and people walk past them because homeless people sleeping all over the place is so ubiquitous that no one bats an eye. People are entitled and rude, they honk their horns at me almost every time I am driving anywhere because I have the gall to get in their way by following traffic rules like the speed limit or "no turning on red" etc. There is drug paraphernalia in the street and the beaches. This is not a good place to raise children. I don't recommend moving here.
Being from Miami, I would imagine Santa Cruz to be heaven in comparison. I just visited San Jose, and it’s way safer and laidback than Miami -- Miami-Dade County as a whole, crime is extremely high. We have beaches and a nice downtown, so most tourists are unaware of how dangerous it can get here. I’ll go to Santa Cruz or San Jose in a heartbeat!!
As a 35 year resident you certainly hit some of the pluses. But you failed to mention the major negatives: petty crimes and vagrancy. Bikes are routinely stolen/chopped/sold. The "homeless" dominate the downtown parks and community areas. Drug use is rampant (and encouraged by certain groups) and discarded needles are a common feature in our parks and on our beaches. But we do have great weather.
Born and raised in San Jose but, we would go to Santa Cruz beaches all the time. I left the valley in 1984 and the videos I see now, I wouldn't take my kids/grandkids there.
I was blessed to live there from 1995 through 2002, and again from 2014-2019 There are so many pros, It can be a great lifestyle, I enjoyed so much beauty, it never gets old I do miss it very much, that being said, during my second stint living in town I started to become more aware of darkness or some underlying dark energy, as well as some being a renter & eventually I got priced out of the market completely and living paycheck to paycheck there’s no room for anything to go wrong such as a family emergency in another state, it’s very easy to slip and fall behind. Another thing worth noting as a single person who enjoys meeting new people and making new friends, Santa Cruz is very transient, I would develop some great friendships and before long they move on, graduation, better jobs, more affordable rents… lots of reasons , there was a unsettling feeling even during the best times . I’m possibly overly sensitive to everything but I’ve talked about it with natives who’ve said it’s almost like a curse living there if you get too attached to Santa Cruz and move away at some point, no matter where you go you’ll always try to get back there even if it’s not a good idea… anyway, glad I found your channel, I could talk about Santa Cruz for days. I’ve also lived in Felton & Scotts Valley.
MLCDelux nailed it. I moved to Santa Cruz 41 years ago, have lived other places but always came back. MLC is NOT overly sensitive. MLC is speaking to a very real phenomenon that affects Santa Cruzans, regardless of their level of awareness. I'd say Santa Cruz can be compared to an abusive relationship that some people become addicted to and can't escape. Like Stockholm Syndrome. The dark underlying energy MLC mentioned has always been here, but used to be a tolerable background to the lovely, positive field that connected the community. The lovely positive field that attracted a lot of spiritual people has dissipated and this place is predominately bad energy -- toxic. I work for the government, have a background in scientific research and realize that this post sounds like bat*^%# crazy, wu wu, hippy dippy, new age, BS garbage to all of you who have not experienced power locations nor gotten caught in an energy vortex. But I assure you, I am not a mental patient nor delusional. I realize that the average person will be too skeptical to head my warning, but you would be wise not to dismiss what you don't understand. I don't claim to understand it myself -- whether it is subatomic particles converging at this geographical location, or the cumulative emotional intelligence of the collective here, or something else -- who the heck knows. All I know is what I've witnessed and experienced, and it takes a local to know what I'm talking about. I strongly advise you to stay away.
@@togetheronfoot You hit the nail on the head with it being like an abusive relationship that is toxic, all of your friends & family who don’t live near by are all telling you to leave, maybe you get burned bad enough that you finally make your move & start a new life somewhere else, somewhere great with more opportunities and good weather like San Diego and things couldn’t be better and yet eventually you find yourself in a U-Haul with your cat driving up the 101 in the middle of the night, making it to Salinas by dawn and Next thing you know you’re back in Santa Cruz, most of your old friends are gone , you make new friends that turn out to be pathological liars or just crazy but at least you found a really expensive room in a house that you now share with 4 strangers, most likely social justice warriors, but the air smells so good & the weather is unlike any other place… I’m really glad I lived there in my 20’s & again in my 30’s. I could sure go for a Burrito from Tacos Morenos.
Housing is not a bit expensive. It’s completely unaffordable thanks to people who bought it all up as investment properties to gouge the public out of sheer greed.
Yes, I did grow up here on the Westside and I have done plenty of videos that I think that would discourage people from moving here. People move here whether I make videos or not.
go to tacos morenos on water street for some of the best taqueria food and salsa. Also zoccolis deli has some of the best sandwiches I've ever had dude. Santa cruz food is amazing, just need to ask the locals where the good stuff is at.
Hi, I think you wrote a question and it will not let me open, please email me I can give you more information on Santa Cruz! michele@michelesellsforyou.com
Born and raised in SC moved away (still have all my family living there) I’m living in SLTahoe love it here reminds me of the old SC . I miss the downtown area when the cooper house had live music you could walk your dog anywhere then . I go home to visit family and it’s not the same the people are rude and unfriendly. Really sad 😢
I left Santa Cruz after living there for 48 years considering it as my home town After being assaulted numerous times by the homeless drug addicts And to police officers who refused to help local people who had contributed to the city with Love in their hearts I think I’ll move down to Santa Cruz Mexico it’s better than living around greedy people who don’t care about their community
I do care and I have lived here my whole life I have not had problems with homeless and do in fact work with Wings a homeless advocacy program. We all have different experiences.
Hey Michele. Love the video you seem very informed about what the city in general. I’m looking to move in soon and I’m looking for housing on a budget of course. Can you help me out ;) ?
During the summer the garden of eden in felton on the san lorenzo river can be a great place to swim and cool off. can be pretty populated as its a local spot for the teens and such. But not super freezing, just jump in and enjoy the cool river and warm sun!
Nice presentation Michele. Grew up there until leaving to join the Navy in early 80's. Didn't know how good I had it. Have visited many times since then to reminisce. Unfortunately, couldn't afford the real estate like my parents could during the 60's. You are spot on about the grocery store produce. The east coast does not compare.
I was in San Francisco yesterday and it was so beautiful, but it's always good to come back home to Santa Cruz, a home away from Paradise...🌴🌴🌴
whenever I travel I always look forward to coming home to Santa Cruz warts and all!
Exactly, you totally left out the biggest con. I'm tired of being in danger, hearing screaming, aggressive madmen cursing fowl language day and night, being threatened on the street by vagrants with bats or knives (I'm not exaggerating.) A local beloved business owner was stabbed to death downtown in broad daylight by a junky. I grew up here. Santa Cruz is turning into Gotham City. The drug epidemic and rate of homelessness is unbelievable. People are dying right on the sidewalk, overdosing on fentanol, and people walk past them because homeless people sleeping all over the place is so ubiquitous that no one bats an eye. People are entitled and rude, they honk their horns at me almost every time I am driving anywhere because I have the gall to get in their way by following traffic rules like the speed limit or "no turning on red" etc. There is drug paraphernalia in the street and the beaches. This is not a good place to raise children. I don't recommend moving here.
Being from Miami, I would imagine Santa Cruz to be heaven in comparison. I just visited San Jose, and it’s way safer and laidback than Miami -- Miami-Dade County as a whole, crime is extremely high. We have beaches and a nice downtown, so most tourists are unaware of how dangerous it can get here. I’ll go to Santa Cruz or San Jose in a heartbeat!!
As a 35 year resident you certainly hit some of the pluses. But you failed to mention the major negatives: petty crimes and vagrancy. Bikes are routinely stolen/chopped/sold. The "homeless" dominate the downtown parks and community areas. Drug use is rampant (and encouraged by certain groups) and discarded needles are a common feature in our parks and on our beaches. But we do have great weather.
Born and raised in San Jose but, we would go to Santa Cruz beaches all the time. I left the valley in 1984 and the videos I see now, I wouldn't take my kids/grandkids there.
@@nealbaker2132 totally agree, it's not paradise, it's actually the complete opposite of paradise.
Raised my family and grandkids here we are fine...we definitely have issues here no lie but we are not unique in that regard
That is so not a 'major' negative and particularly when compared to other parts of our wonderful state.
Santa Cruise is incredibly expensive and the homeless population is completely out of control.
I was blessed to live there from 1995 through 2002, and again from 2014-2019
There are so many pros, It can be a great lifestyle, I enjoyed so much beauty, it never gets old I do miss it very much, that being said, during my second stint living in town I started to become more aware of darkness or some underlying dark energy, as well as some being a renter & eventually I got priced out of the market completely and living paycheck to paycheck there’s no room for anything to go wrong such as a family emergency in another state, it’s very easy to slip and fall behind. Another thing worth noting as a single person who enjoys meeting new people and making new friends, Santa Cruz is very transient, I would develop some great friendships and before long they move on, graduation, better jobs, more affordable rents… lots of reasons , there was a unsettling feeling even during the best times . I’m possibly overly sensitive to everything but I’ve talked about it with natives who’ve said it’s almost like a curse living there if you get too attached to Santa Cruz and move away at some point, no matter where you go you’ll always try to get back there even if it’s not a good idea… anyway, glad I found your channel, I could talk about Santa Cruz for days. I’ve also lived in Felton & Scotts Valley.
MLCDelux nailed it. I moved to Santa Cruz 41 years ago, have lived other places but always came back. MLC is NOT overly sensitive. MLC is speaking to a very real phenomenon that affects Santa Cruzans, regardless of their level of awareness. I'd say Santa Cruz can be compared to an abusive relationship that some people become addicted to and can't escape. Like Stockholm Syndrome. The dark underlying energy MLC mentioned has always been here, but used to be a tolerable background to the lovely, positive field that connected the community. The lovely positive field that attracted a lot of spiritual people has dissipated and this place is predominately bad energy -- toxic. I work for the government, have a background in scientific research and realize that this post sounds like bat*^%# crazy, wu wu, hippy dippy, new age, BS garbage to all of you who have not experienced power locations nor gotten caught in an energy vortex. But I assure you, I am not a mental patient nor delusional. I realize that the average person will be too skeptical to head my warning, but you would be wise not to dismiss what you don't understand. I don't claim to understand it myself -- whether it is subatomic particles converging at this geographical location, or the cumulative emotional intelligence of the collective here, or something else -- who the heck knows. All I know is what I've witnessed and experienced, and it takes a local to know what I'm talking about. I strongly advise you to stay away.
@@togetheronfoot You hit the nail on the head with it being like an abusive relationship that is toxic, all of your friends & family who don’t live near by are all telling you to leave, maybe you get burned bad enough that you finally make your move & start a new life somewhere else, somewhere great with more opportunities and good weather like San Diego and things couldn’t be better and yet eventually you find yourself in a U-Haul with your cat driving up the 101 in the middle of the night, making it to Salinas by dawn and Next thing you know you’re back in Santa Cruz, most of your old friends are gone , you make new friends that turn out to be pathological liars or just crazy but at least you found a really expensive room in a house that you now share with 4 strangers, most likely social justice warriors, but the air smells so good & the weather is unlike any other place… I’m really glad I lived there in my 20’s & again in my 30’s.
I could sure go for a Burrito from Tacos Morenos.
@@togetheronfootyou wouldn't even recommend it to someone who wants to stay for a summer there?
Housing is not a bit expensive. It’s completely unaffordable thanks to people who bought it all up as investment properties to gouge the public out of sheer greed.
I am sure it could seem like that but a lot of factors lead to high home prices, investors are one part yes but not all of it.
@@livetheSantaCruzlife UCSC, Tech industry, AirBnb to name a few
You didn't grow up here and love this town if you are encouraging people to move here just for profit
Yes, I did grow up here on the Westside and I have done plenty of videos that I think that would discourage people from moving here. People move here whether I make videos or not.
I am halfway done with this video. I agree with everything so far but the Food. SC has the most average restaurants.
yes, and I wish there vegan and vegetarian choices on the menus...
go to tacos morenos on water street for some of the best taqueria food and salsa. Also zoccolis deli has some of the best sandwiches I've ever had dude. Santa cruz food is amazing, just need to ask the locals where the good stuff is at.
I would LOVE to move to Santa Cruz, I absolutely love everything about it. I live in the Fresno County.
Same
I love in Stanislaus
What is the difference between Fresno & Santa Cruz! Could you share your opinion on why you would like to move to Santa Cruz?
Hi, me too, I live in Clovis. :-). Here's a quick rundown, the ocean.
Play hard, sleep hard. I like that. I'm more of a daytime activity person too.
You’re very pretty and it’s nice to listen to you! Thank you for the video
Hi, I think you wrote a question and it will not let me open, please email me I can give you more information on Santa Cruz! michele@michelesellsforyou.com
Born and raised in SC moved away (still have all my family living there) I’m living in SLTahoe love it here reminds me of the old SC .
I miss the downtown area when the cooper house had live music you could walk your dog anywhere then . I go home to visit family and it’s not the same the people are rude and unfriendly. Really sad 😢
love fog! so relaxing...
Great perspective on the pros and cons of Santa Cruz!
Thank you so much for watching!! Much appreciated :)
Thank you so much
I left Santa Cruz after living there for 48 years considering it as my home town
After being assaulted numerous times by the homeless drug addicts
And to police officers who refused to help local people who had contributed to the city with Love in their hearts
I think I’ll move down to Santa Cruz Mexico it’s better than living around greedy people who don’t care about their community
I do care and I have lived here my whole life I have not had problems with homeless and do in fact work with Wings a homeless advocacy program. We all have different experiences.
Totally agree. I love me some fog
not a fan of the fog but it is part of our atmosphere
Hey Michele. Love the video you seem very informed about what the city in general. I’m looking to move in soon and I’m looking for housing on a budget of course. Can you help me out ;) ?
Hi if you are looking for a rental I don't handle rentals. Craigslist and FB housing for Santa Cruz are good resources!
Trust me, don't go there. I'm am telling you. It is the worst town I have ever lived in.
@@seekjustice751 Trust me - we’re glad you followed your heart and left
Stay right where you are we don’t have any room for you , unless you have a lot of money and buy something that’s way over priced and a peace of junk.
Are there any lakes or hot springs near to swim in that aren't freezing?
no 😄
During the summer the garden of eden in felton on the san lorenzo river can be a great place to swim and cool off. can be pretty populated as its a local spot for the teens and such. But not super freezing, just jump in and enjoy the cool river and warm sun!
@@BeAltyrnative I have not been up there since I was 9 or ten ;)
Nice presentation Michele. Grew up there until leaving to join the Navy in early 80's. Didn't know how good I had it. Have visited many times since then to reminisce. Unfortunately, couldn't afford the real estate like my parents could during the 60's. You are spot on about the grocery store produce. The east coast does not compare.
Thank you!
is there a lot of crime/violence in SC?
Like all cities we have crime.... can't speak to the violence I do not know about that..🧐
@@livetheSantaCruzlife that’s ok I live in Santa Cruz too just wondering your opinion!
@@maya_isskibbidi Since I have not experience with it, no real opinion. I am sure people that have had problems have opinions!
@@livetheSantaCruzlife Depends on the color of your skin.
Depends on the color of your skin.
If I have $300,000 is there anyway I can move to Santa Cruz?
depends on what where in the county and what :)
@livetheSantaCruzlife A small piece of land... Maybe in the mountains.
this video is wayyyyyyyyyyy too long. Good grief
😅