Essentials
- City
- Santa Cruz, California, United States
- Population
- Approx. 62,000
- Internet Speed
- 100-400 Mbps via Xfinity or Cruzio Fiber
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Wells Fargo, Chase, Santa Cruz County Bank
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon (eSIM available via Airalo)
- Banking for Expats
- Capital One, Revolut (US), Wise
- Accommodation
- Coastal rentals, houseshares, and boutique hotels (Average $3,000+/mo for 1BR)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and mobile pay accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local agencies like Beachnest
- Budget Accommodation
- Santa Cruz Hostel (near Main Beach) - Approx. $45-$60 for dorms
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Beach Hill or the Boardwalk area for attractions
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Westside (near Swift St Courtyard) or Seabright for local vibe
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- NextSpace Santa Cruz (Pacific Ave) - Day pass approx. $30
- Best Cafe for Work
- Verve Coffee Roasters (Fair Ave/Westside) or 11th Hour Coffee
- Networking Events
- Santa Cruz New Tech Meetup (monthly at Hotel Paradox)
- Social Events for Expats
- Meetup.com groups for Hiking or Santa Cruz Socialites
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- BCycle (electric bike share), Specialized Santa Cruz
- Best Beach Nearby
- Natural Bridges State Beach or Pleasure Point
- Top Regional Airline
- Alaska Airlines (via San Jose SJC)
- Top International Airline
- United Airlines, Delta (via San Francisco SFO)
- Highway Access
- Highway 1 (North/South coastal) and Highway 17 (to Silicon Valley)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Santa Cruz Metro Center (Pacific Ave)
- Public Transport Passes
- Santa Cruz METRO (Day pass $6, Monthly $65)
- Regional Travel
- Highway 17 Express bus to San Jose Diridon Station (Caltrain/Amtrak)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Dominican Hospital (Soquel Ave)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Village, Santa Cruz Yoga (Lower Pacific Ave)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Toadal Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Santa Cruz Core Fitness
- Laundry Services
- The Eco-Laundry (Seabright) - Wash & Fold approx. $1.75/lb
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Clam Chowder at The Ideal Bar & Grill
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Cafe Gratitude, Dharma's, Zachary's Restaurant
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Penny Ice Creamery (handmade local flavors)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Trader Joe's (Front St), Grocery Outlet (Bargain Market)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon, eBay, Walmart.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Whole Foods via Amazon
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Downtown Santa Cruz (Pacific Ave) and Westside Breweries
- Local Brewery
- Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Humble Sea Brewing Co.
- Wine Bars
- Birichino Tasting Room, Soif Wine Bar
- Street Food Stalls
- Pacific Ave Food Trucks, Santa Cruz Farmers Markets
- Popular International Cuisine
- Laili (Afghan-Mediterranean), Akira (Sushi/Japanese)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
- Museums & Art Venues
- Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
- Historical Sites
- Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Religious Sites
- Mission Santa Cruz, Holy Cross Church
- Annual Events
- Santa Cruz Woodies on the Wharf (June), Wharf to Wharf Race
- Cultural Districts
- Downtown Arts District, Tannery Arts Center
- Theater Venues
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz Shakespeare
- Local Markets
- Downtown Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
- Music Scene
- The Catalyst, Moe's Alley (Blues/Roots)
- Street Art
- Murals at the Tannery Arts Center and Downtown alleys
- Cooking Classes
- New Leaf Community Markets classroom
- Art Galleries
- Radius Gallery, R. Blitzer Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Pogonip Club House, Octagon Building
- Local Heritage
- Deep surf and skate culture heritage (O'Neill wetsuits origin)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Wilder Ranch
- National Parks Nearby
- Pinnacles National Park (approx. 1.5 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- West Cliff Drive (walk/bike), Wilder Ranch State Park trails
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Lighthouse Point (Steamer Lane)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Neary Lagoon Park, Antonelli Pond
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright State Beach (fire rings provided)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- UPS Store (Pacific Ave), FedEx Office, USPS
- Tech Repair Services
- Laptop Repair Santa Cruz (Soquel Ave)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Harvey West Park community area
- Language Classes
- Caballero Spanish Institute
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Santa Cruz Public Library - Downtown Branch
- Community Centers
- Louden Nelson Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Level Up Video Games (Retrogaming focus)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Ocean's 11 Casino (Card room in nearby Watsonville)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 37 m² = $425,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $9,000 per m² (e.g., 37 m² = $333,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,800 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $702,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $552,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $900,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,800 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $702,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + 8.84% California
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 15-30% depending on tax treaties
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for citizens/permanent residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% Federal + 13.3% California State
- VAT
- No VAT, but 9.25% Sales Tax in Santa Cruz
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Subpart F and GILTI rules apply
- Property Tax
- Annual, approx. 1.1% - 1.25% of assessed value (Prop 13 limits)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Documentary Transfer Tax (approx. $1.10 per $1,000)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None; California has high personal and business taxes.