Santa Cruz is the coolest place! I lived there 29 years but moved to Sacramento because the cost of living there is one of the highest in the intire US! I was renting a one bedroom apt for $2400 a month! And that is right at the normal price for a decent place near the beach in Santa Cruz! A 2 bedroom house on the beach in Santa cruz starts about 34 3500bux a month! There are lower priced houses the further from the beach you go! When i land a job down there that pays 90k a year i will move back out there! Sacramento is a nice area you are about 1 hour from the best sking/snow, And 90mins from the ocean!! Greatplace if your looking to buy a nice house at a nice price!!