For Residents & New Homeowners
Santa Cruz County
Local Resources
Helpful contacts, services, and guides for living in Santa Cruz County, compiled from 35 years of local experience.
Find What You Need
Whether you just moved in or have lived here for years, these are the contacts and services you’ll reach for most.
Gas & electric, water, garbage, and internet service providers for Aptos and Soquel residents.
Which district serves which neighborhood, enrollment basics, and what buyers with kids should check before making an offer.
Conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans. What each loan type means in a Santa Cruz County market where many homes are above conforming loan limits.
What buyers and sellers each pay at closing in Santa Cruz County, including transfer tax, title, escrow, and what a real number looks like on a $1.2M purchase.
Gas, electric, water, garbage, and internet for Santa Cruz City residents.
Water, garbage, fire, schools, and internet notes for Capitola, Live Oak, and Pleasure Point.
Utilities and service notes for Rio del Mar, Seacliff, Seascape, and La Selva Beach.
Water, garbage, schools, fire, power, and internet notes for Scotts Valley homeowners.
Water, wells, septic, garbage, power, fire, and internet notes for SLV homeowners.
City utility notes for Watsonville and parcel-level rural utility checks for Corralitos.
Local Resources FAQ
What local resources are useful after buying a Santa Cruz County home?
Most new owners need utility contacts, school district information, county service links, insurance contacts, contractors, and basic local office information.
Where can I find utilities for Aptos and Soquel?
The Aptos and Soquel utility guide on this site lists gas and electric, water, garbage, and internet contacts for those areas.
Should buyers check school districts before making an offer?
Yes. School assignment should be checked by exact address before relying on a listing, neighborhood name, or map.