Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
Santa Cruz, Cali, is a city that is popularly known for its stunning natural beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and vibrant LGBTQ community. If you thought that Santa Cruz is best-suited for the tourists that flock to the city each year, you’re wrong. Located on the central coast of California, Santa Cruz is home to many gay-friendly attractions that you will be happy to visit time and time again.
For instance, the Pacific Avenue area houses many LGBTQ-owned businesses, such as bookstores, quaint coffee shops, and trendy restaurants. The city also hosts a good number of annual events that bow down to its LGBTQ community, like the Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival.
As you may have already guessed by now, Santa Cruz is a vivacious city that welcomes all those searching for a progressive, inclusive and liberal place for work, play, and family. If you’re thinking of moving to LGBT Santa Cruz, you might just find the accepting environment that you or your family need to thrive in.
Anyone who wants to live a healthy, happy lifestyle would be happy to live in the Golden State. California comes with a vibrant approach to life, and never-ending summers, and attracts people of all backgrounds.
In extension, Santa Cruz is a beautiful city that has something for everyone, and whether you’d like to enjoy long weekends surfing at the beach or enjoy different tastes at the many restaurants in the city, we can tell you that your days here will be long and enjoyable. If you’ve been planning on moving to this beautiful city and have no idea where to start, let us give you the run down…
Like Greensboro, El Paso, Grand Rapids, Hartford and other mid-sized cities in the USA, there is a queer scene here, but it is much more low-key than, say, New York or Los Angeles. This is why a gay realtor in Santa Cruz is worth their weight in gold as they can help you find your new perfect home here in the most gay-friendly neighborhood possible.
Despite the rather obscured LGBT culture, moving to this charming city shouldn’t make you uncomfortable. The majority of people are accepting of the LGBTQ community, and you will soon discover that most businesses, shops, and services will serve you with pride.
Other than the many tempting attractions, Santa Cruz is also a very gay-friendly city, with plenty of supportive resources, services, and organizations made available to the LGBTQ community. Santa Cruz is not only a great destination for LGBTQ travelers looking for a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, but it’s also an exceptional location to relocate to if you’re looking to build a life in a city that will surround you with love and acceptance.
Consider this article to be an LGBT Santa Cruz relocation guide that will help you know what to expect when relocating to this wonderful city. Leave all of your preconceived notions at the door because moving to LGBT Santa Cruz is not what you think it is…
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Santa Cruz
- Does Santa Cruz Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
- Is Santa Cruz An Expensive City to Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Santa Cruz
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Santa Cruz
- LGBT-Owned Businesses In Santa Cruz
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Santa Cruz
- Finding Gay Realtors In Santa Cruz
Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Santa Cruz
There are a lot of things to like about Santa Cruz; below, we give you a sneak peek into what living in LGBT Santa Cruz is like!
Santa Cruz residents are well aware that their city is both a tourist trap and a hidden gem. Once you live here, you will realize there is plenty of places away from the tourist trail and that Santa Cruz is still brimming with culture and beautiful sights just waiting to be discovered.
Securing a relocation here will also allow you to meet others with similar interests, thanks to a quirky yet highly involved LGBT culture, which includes a few fantastic queer spots of interest in the city’s most popular neighborhoods.
Almost anything that your heart desires can be found here. There are plenty of things to look forwards to when moving to LGBT Santa Cruz, be it warm weather, charming coffee shops, or boozy brunch haunts.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible city before we get into the details.
Yoga
If you’re a yoga lover, you will love living in Santa Cruz. This city is home to a variety of styles of yoga, including hot yoga, tri yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha, and Kundalini. Check out the DiviniTree studio for an all-in-one formula or for testing different practices.
The Food
The quality of life in Santa Cruz is to die for, specifically when it comes to cuisine. Whether it’s gluten-free, non-GMO, or organic, Santa Cruz has it. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for; we’ve got it. Organic goods can be found in even the smallest of stores.
Farmers’ markets are also in plenty if you want fresh fruit and vegetables. Plants thrive in gardens thanks to the constant availability of sunlight. If you’re keen on reducing your carbon impact, you’re welcome to grow your own fruits and vegetables in Santa Cruz!
Mother Nature
Mother nature hits differently here. The water and accompanying waves, the breathtaking sunsets, and the wildlife are all breathtaking. The Monterey Bay, where Santa Cruz is positioned, is a protected marine sanctuary. You can see otters, sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, whales, and seagulls daily.
Big Sur, in the south, is a must-visit for its stunning rivers, cliffs, and canyons. It is well worth your time to visit Esalen Institute if you have the opportunity. And if you enjoy camping, Santa Cruz will provide the ultimate outdoor experience.
Surfing
Santa Cruz is a terrific surfing city, and National Geographic has ranked it one of the world’s top 20 surf towns. Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point are two excellent choices. There are a number of locations throughout the city, but you must be ready to explore.
Does Santa Cruz Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
One of the main reasons that local and visiting LGBTQ people enjoy Santa Cruz is because the city makes it easy for anyone to feel protected, welcomed, and included. Santa Cruz Pride, which began in 1975, is one of the oldest gatherings of its kind on the West Coast. Thousands of gay people and allies attend this lively event, which takes place the first weekend of June in downtown Santa Cruz.
The event features a Pride March, Dyke Trans March, festival, and post-festival parties and performances at a variety of locations. Although there are no designated gay bars in Santa Cruz, the city’s nightclubs are LGBTQ-welcoming, and several, like the Catalyst, Blue Lounge, and Motive organize community evenings and Pride events occasionally.
The Santa Cruz County Diversity Center hosts a variety of local events during the year and offers a variety of services and resources, including the county’s most complete online database of LGBTQ-friendly organizations and businesses. UC Santa Cruz’s Lionel Cant LGBT Center, located on the city’s west side, has a noticeable queer community and organizes and supports a range of events.
Is Santa Cruz An Expensive City to Move To?
Santa Cruz’s cost of living is 47.9% higher than the country’s average. Let’s break down some of the costs you will likely incur while living here.
Housing
The median home value in Santa Cruz is $803,000, which is more than the country’s median home value of $204,000. The average price of a house built before 1939 in Santa Cruz is $802,000, while the typical price of a house built after 2014 is $605,000. Renting in the city can be a less expensive option than buying a home. The average renter in the city pays $1,796 per month, which is higher than the national average of $1,020 per month.
Transportation
Taking into consideration the cost of public transportation, gas, and automobile maintenance, it’s estimated that a single person in the city spends $11,380 on transport each year, which is higher than the U.S average of $9,700.
Food and groceries
A single adult in the city could spend an average of $3,860 on food each year, while a family of four spends approximately $11,170.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Santa Cruz
There are thankfully many other places to reside for those who are looking for a calmer yet still LGBT-friendly environment as not all LGBT people want to be close to the relative chaos of downtown Santa Cruz (sometimes known as the Surf City).
When moving to LGBTQ Santa Cruz, bear in mind that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun queer events and activities. By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Discover your delightfully ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly communities in Santa Cruz. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly neighborhood, and facilities you’ll love. Give yourself lots of time to get to know the many different and diverse areas of Santa Cruz, and bare in mind that this city has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!
Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Santa Cruz and talk about the Santa Cruz gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.
Westlake
The Westlake neighborhood was built around the 1960s. Many backyards have the lake as part of a natural spring flowing down to the coast. The Westlake neighborhood is so named thanks to the evident water element in the geographical area.
The neighborhood has a park with a children’s play area, and anyone under the age of 16 or more than 65 can fish in without the need for a license in the pond. It’s a wonderful neighborhood with easy access to Westlake Elementary School. Westlake Park offers a lovely space for reading, watching the kids, or walking the dog.
At the edge of Cardiff and High, there is a development from the 2000s that began with a design approval named West Lake Cottages. The neighborhood then evolved into a few residences, condos, and townhomes as the marketplace and community changed.
This district was also erroneously and belatedly dubbed West Lake Homes, but it is nothing like the rest of West Lake. The majority of the properties in the West Lake neighborhood are mid to big in size, with many of them having been built on a single floor.
This is a family community with spacious streets and a child-friendly environment. Many senior Santa Cruz residents call the area home, and it’s a well-liked community.
Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor
The Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor neighborhood has a lot of exciting things to do and lots of different properties to choose from if you want to live on the water. Whether you want to enjoy the fisherman, sailor, or beach bum lifestyle, Yacht Harbor is the place to be, and it has its own tiny community.
The most attractive real estate in the area surrounds the harbor and provides stunning views of the harbor and the yachts in it. You can get everything you need within walking distance as this neighborhood is walkable and with a variety of shops and amenities. Yacht Harbor was established in the early 1960s and offers a variety of sailing, fishing, and boating opportunities.
Those who want to enjoy the water and have a good time can join outrigger and kayaking groups like Santa Cruz Rowing. If you don’t want to live near the ocean, you can still have access to the beach. While there are numerous Santa Cruz beach properties for rent during the summer, there are also many people who live in the neighborhood full-time because they enjoy the beach and sea.
While the residences range in size from tiny to medium, the costs are reasonable given the proximity to the lake. The Yacht Harbor now contains an interesting mix of modern beach homes, cottages, and a few condominiums, as well as spectacular ocean-view residences.
Cottages in the area start at $700,000, and some houses can cost up to $4 million. Homes in the $1-2 million bracket are rather nice. It’s good to have a variety of properties to choose from to fit any budget.
This neighborhood has it all, plus it’s only a few minutes from the beach and boating. Here, you will find exceptional restaurants, fishing, a nice beach, and opportunities for those who want to go fishing for rock cod, salmon, or Albacore onboard a party boat.
Santa Cruz Gardens
Santa Cruz Gardens was developed by Hal Porter in the 1970s and features a diverse range of residences. The neighborhood begins on Thurber Lane at the bottom of the hill and ascends to a nice sunny plateau. Garden residences come in a variety of sizes and price ranges.
It is believed that there were roughly eight different models of homes in this neighborhood in the past. Later on, newer constructions came up, as seen by the housing design. Properties range in size from small 2 bedroom- 2 bath residences of roughly 1200 sq. ft to big 5 bedroom -3 bath homes of up to 2500 sq. ft. These houses were built to meet the rising need for larger residences and families.
Those with school-aged children are lucky to have Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary. Since this area is normally above the fog line, having a pool to cool off in or having your kids take swimming classes is a good idea.
Westmont Place
Westmont Place is located close to the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), and is popular among UCSC employees and the general public. The homes in Westmont Places are typically in groups of four and are located on a tree-lined lane.
This project was completed in the late 1990s and was designed by Thatcher and Thompson, two well-known local architects. The area has 54 townhomes with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There are 71 townhomes and single-family homes ranging in size from 1100sq.ft to 1200 sq. ft. The majority of this area makes use of cluster housing, which consists of small residences with shared driveways. These houses normally have small yards, although it is because the University Terrace Park is located directly across the street.
The homes at Westmont Place have maple floors, cupboards, and granite countertops. The open design of most of the homes has high or vaulted ceilings that give properties a spacious feel.
These homes range in size from 3 bedrooms with 2 and a half baths, and are normally approximately 1300-1500 sq. ft, with some properties off of Meder Street being around 2300 sq. ft. The more spacious homes on Meder Street include four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Santa Cruz
To progress the LGBTQ agenda, the queer community commonly has to rely on donor organizations or non-profits.
Wherever you live, it is imperative that you assist such organizations in any manner you can in order for them to reach out and aid others in the neighborhood. These Santa Cruz LGBT community organizations are some of the best.
Every LGBT person has benefited from their tireless labor to secure the advancement and rights we enjoy now; being aware of them is good whether you need their help now or potentially in the future.
These are wonderful places to start if you’re looking for LGBTQ groups to join, seek support from, meet new people with or volunteer for a cause you care about.
Diversity Center Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz’s Diversity Center offers a community center and serves as a vital resource for the LGBTQ+ population in the area. The lesbian and gay chorus of Santa Cruz is sponsored by this organization. AIDS outreach and education are also offered here. The organization also offers tobacco control health prevention and education activities to high-risk groups and individuals in order to minimize the number of people who start smoking, continue to smoke, or develop tobacco-related illnesses.
Families with gender-diverse of all ages can get aid from TransFamilies of Santa Cruz to help them thrive and survive. The organization also participates in education, community outreach, and training programs to help local doctors’ offices, schools, and the general public better understands gender diversity.
Is a website that provides a calendar of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual LGBT events in the city. Their mission is to promote LGBTQIA+ growth in the arts, tourism, business, and activities in the local community.
LGBT-Owned Businesses In Santa Cruz
It’s important to support LGBT-owned businesses wherever you are. Here’s a short list of some that we like in LGBT Santa Cruz!
After moving to LGBT Santa Cruz, it’s only natural to want to support queer businesses. One strategy for establishing a safer and more inclusive society is to create a secure environment where people may rest, buy, dine, and connect without fear, and this is exactly what LGBT companies should strive for.
To safeguard the queer community’s survival and success, it is critical to support these initiatives wherever you are. When you shop locally, you put in a personal investment in your city and community. Here’s a short list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Santa Cruz you can invest in with your pink dollars…
Mavericks is a group of motivated individuals dedicated to assisting you in discovering a fun, long-term strategy to live healthily and love the skin you’re in. They believe that the finest strategy is one you can stick to. Get in touch with them so they can assist you in determining the best approach to achieving your objectives.
Fairy Goatmother is a business that offers cold-process soap and cheese from goat’s milk. The business is located in the Santa Cruz mountains on a 5-acre piece of forest.
The goal of Vegan the Edge is to provide the community with fresh vegetables and fair-trade goods. They prioritize fresh ingredients that are readily available, and compatible with their commitment to great quality. Their first priority is compassion, and they’re constantly aiming to provide the most loving and healthy eating experience possible for their clients.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County is a lighthouse in the region, with its magnificent climate, diversity of attractions and locations, as well as appealing options for employment, commerce, and learning. With a laid-back vibe that appeals to people of different backgrounds, ages, and nationalities, it’s no surprise that more people are moving here.
Remember that life is what you make it, and wherever (or if ever) you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Santa Cruz, we wish you the freedom and security you deserve. Living in a gay-friendly area, visiting nearby LGBT businesses and events, and joining queer community groups and sports teams are always the best methods to discover more about LGBT SANTA CRUZ.
We guarantee that if you follow these recommendations, moving to LGBT SANTA CRUZ will be less difficult for you and that you’ll quickly find like-minded individuals with whom to establish your newly chosen family.
Finding Gay Realtors In Santa Cruz
When searching for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Santa Cruz is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when undertaking one of life’s most important transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) continue to believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often express feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt. Everyone deserves a gratifying, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being sufficiently represented, and this is why we feel you should engage a gay realtor to help you in finding your perfect future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be knowledgeable about the diverse communities in their area and understand which ones may be best suited to you when searching for a home. That’s not to say heterosexual realtors are not competent, but they’ve probably never had to handle many of the issues LGBT people face.
Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors perform extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Santa Cruz – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Santa Cruz to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
