LOCAL REALTOR
Lori Hill
Broker Associate, Compass
UC Santa Cruz-area real estate guidance
UC Santa Cruz HOMES NEAR CAMPUS
Homes for sale near UC Santa Cruz
Compare campus-area homes, neighborhood context and your next move with Lori Hill.
LOCAL REALTOR
Lori Hill
Broker Associate, Compass
UC Santa Cruz-area real estate guidance
I’m here to help you find your place near UC Santa Cruz.
Lori’s AI local guide · Answers, local resources, and a next step.
Lori’s AI local guideKeep exploring. Ask your next question.AI assistance from CollegeHousing.ai. Lori Hill is the local Realtor shown on this profile and can help with your next decision. Privacy
UC Santa Cruz · YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
What brings you to UC Santa Cruz?
You might be moving in, here for your student, or back on familiar streets. Let’s start with your part of the story.
Let’s find your place in the day-to-day.
The right home needs to work on an ordinary Tuesday, too. Tell us about your routine, the places you’ll need to reach, and what matters when you walk back through your own front door.
Local guidance from CollegeHousing.ai · Independent of University of California, Santa Cruz.
Explore University of California, Santa Cruz Area Properties
Browse current homes for sale and rentals near UC Santa Cruz. Select a property for photos, details, and campus context.
Matching propertiesScroll to explore every result
For sale1 / 4
A CLOSER LOOK
River Street · 2.3 mi to UC Santa Cruz
$475,0001 bed · 1 bath · 600 sq ft
MLS ML82058931 · Phillip Frandler · Cifpm Inc · CIFPM Inc · MLSListings · Property Information © 2026 MLSListings Inc. All rights reserved. Certain information contained herein is derived from information which is the licensed property of, and copyrighted by, MLSListings Inc. ↗Listing checked 2026-10-07. Confirm current price and availability.
Checked 2026-10-07. Prices and availability may change. *Straight-line miles to University of California, Santa Cruz campus reference point. Walking and driving routes differ.
Have a specific search in mind?
Saved UC Santa Cruz Listing Snapshot
This section describes only the properties displayed in this explorer.
30Saved Homes for Sale
30Saved Rental Listings
$475,000 – $2,950,000Purchase Price Range
$1,850 – $5,200/moRental Price Range
$1,023,750Median List Price
$3,278/moMedian Rent
Property types: Condo, Townhouse, Single Family, Apartment. Neighborhoods: Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, River Street, Lower Ocean, Nobel, Downtown Santa Cruz, Felton, Banana Belt, Carbonera, Mission Hill, Westlake, Upper Ocean, Pacific Avenue District, King Street. Asking prices describe this selection of listings.
Plan Your Housing Around UC Santa Cruz
Can your student live off campus yet?
Confirm the housing options and university requirements that apply to your student before committing to an off-campus plan.
Review housing resources →Which campus building are you heading to?
Start with the building you will use. Compare the actual walking, driving or transit route from the property.
Find the campus on a map ↗What will the whole year cost?
Include the full lease term, utilities, food, transportation and upfront costs. On the ownership side, include financing, taxes, insurance, fees and upkeep.
Compare renting and buying →OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING · SCHOOL-RANKED ANSWERS
Top off-campus housing questions for UC Santa Cruz.
Ranked from current university guidance and recurring off-campus search intent. The first four stay visible; six more are one tap away so the MPS stays fast to scan.
When should I start looking for off-campus housing near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Start by learning the local leasing cycle well before your move date, but do not copy another school’s calendar. Availability, renewal deadlines, lease starts, and roommate timing vary by campus market and property.
Open the exact answer →Where should I live off campus near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Start with the campus building you use most, your commute, and your total monthly budget—not a generic “best neighborhood” list. Compare current UC Santa Cruz rentals by distance, route, price, parking or transit, and the day-to-day places you actually need.
Open the exact answer →How much does off-campus housing near University of California, Santa Cruz really cost?
Studio $2,234/mo · 1 BR $2,771/mo · 2 BR $3,762/mo · 3 BR $3,624/mo · September 2026. The figures describe the cited source's rental-market area, not a campus-radius, neighborhood, student-only or property-specific rate. Individual leases and mandatory fees vary.
Open the exact answer →How do I find and choose roommates for off-campus housing near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Choose roommates before you choose a lease when possible. Compare budget, payment responsibility, schedules, guests, cleaning, pets, summer plans, and what happens if someone leaves early.
Open the exact answer →See 6 more off-campus housing questions +
What should I know about leases, guarantors, and deposits near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Read the actual lease before paying. Confirm the term, rent and fees, guarantor or screening rules, deposit, utilities, renewal, early termination, subletting, roommate liability, and move-out obligations.
Open the exact answer →How do subleases, relets, and short-term housing work near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Start with the lease, not the listing label. Confirm whether subletting or reletting is allowed, who remains liable, any approval or fee, the exact dates, furnishing, utilities, and what happens if the replacement tenant does not pay.
Open the exact answer →How should I compare commuting, transit, and parking for housing near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Measure the trip to the building you actually use. Compare walking, biking, transit, driving, parking availability and cost, late-day service, and the backup plan—not just straight-line miles.
Open the exact answer →How do I avoid rental scams and evaluate off-campus housing near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Verify the listing, property, and person before paying. Be cautious with unusually low rent, pressure to pay quickly, inability to tour, mismatched ownership details, and demands for wire transfers, gift cards, crypto, or other hard-to-recover payments.
Open the exact answer →What renter and tenant rights should I know near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Tenant rights depend on state and local law. Keep the signed lease, document the unit at move-in, put repair requests in writing, understand notice and deposit rules, and use the applicable local or state authority for legal questions.
Open the exact answer →What should I check about utilities, pets, parking, and subletting near University of California, Santa Cruz?
Ask what is included and what is restricted before you compare prices. Utilities, internet, furnishing, parking, pets, guests, occupancy, subletting, and summer lease obligations can change both cost and fit.
Open the exact answer →UC Santa Cruz Housing Costs
Compare your campus housing offer with a private lease.
Compare room type, dining, utilities and the entire contract term. Ask the housing office for the current rate for your assignment.
Explore UC Santa Cruz housing questions →Should You Rent or Buy Near UC Santa Cruz?
Compare renting and owning with the assumptions that matter to your plan.
Enter your numbersCompare both scenariosReview the assumptions
Illustrative starting scenario
Monthly rent$1,350/mo
Estimated ownership cost$3,433/mo
Find Your Path Near University of California, Santa Cruz
Parent Buyer
Compare ownership with the housing plan after graduation.
Learn More →Renter / Student Housing
Find a home and plan the lease, roommates, and move.
Investor
Review rental evidence, operating costs, and the property.
Learn More →Seller
Discuss your property, preparation, and sale timing.
Learn More →Out-of-State Family
Plan a remote search with local property guidance.
Learn More →Faculty / Staff / Relocation
Compare housing around your campus and daily commute.
Learn More →Explore UC Santa Cruz Neighborhoods
Compare locations and the individual property with Lori.
Santa Cruz
Compare the trip to your campus building
Review property type and total housing costs
Ask Lori about the specific address
Homes for sale | Rentals
Buy from $1,495,000Explore the Area →
Capitola
Compare the trip to your campus building
Review property type and total housing costs
Ask Lori about the specific address
Homes for sale | Rentals
Explore the Area →
Aptos
Compare the trip to your campus building
Review property type and total housing costs
Ask Lori about the specific address
Homes for sale | Rentals
Explore the Area →Guides, Articles & Resources
UC Santa Cruz: Getting Housing
UC Santa Cruz: Contracts & Cancellation
UC Santa Cruz: Cost & Billing
UC Santa Cruz: Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the local Realtor for UC Santa Cruz?+
Lori Hill of Compass is the CollegeHousing.ai real estate contact for University of California, Santa Cruz.
How can I schedule a callback with Lori?+
Use Schedule a Callback and include your preferred day and time, housing plan and contact details. You can also call 831-588-7552. Appointment availability is confirmed with the professional.
How should I compare renting and buying?+
Compare the complete housing arrangements, upfront cash, monthly costs, expected time near campus and plan after graduation. The rent-vs-buy calculator provides an editable illustration.
Who can help review financing?+
Review the property, intended occupancy and your assumptions with a financing professional licensed for California.
MOVING FOR WORK
Faculty & staff housing near UC Santa Cruz
Compare buying, renting, neighborhoods and your commute to work.
More answers near UC Santa Cruz
Food & restaurants near UC Santa Cruz
Browse 3 sourced questions about local food and restaurants, with ratings, review counts, prices, locations, directions and source links.
50 current housing-cost answers for UC Santa Cruz
Current 1-bedroom $2,771/mo · 2-bedroom $3,762/mo · 3-bedroom $3,624/mo · median sale price $1,374,312. Rent, mortgage, down-payment and insurance math with source links.
What homeowners insurance do I need for a condo near University of California, Santa Cruz?
For a condo, you usually need an HO-6 condo policy for the unit’s interior, belongings, liability, and loss assessment coverage. In California, you should also consider separate earthquake coverage because standard condo and homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage.
Off-campus housing options for UC Santa Cruz students
UC Santa Cruz points students to Community Rentals for off-campus housing search tools and listings. The main options named in UCSC materials are rental listings, short-term sublets, rooms for rent, roommates, and privately managed apartments.
UC Santa Cruz Library closing time
As of September 15, 2026, UC Santa Cruz’s McHenry Library and Science & Engineering Library are open until 5:00 p.m. today, and the library hours page shows both closing at 5:00 p.m. on the current weekday schedule.
Reporting an HVAC problem in UCSC housing
Students should submit a CruzFix maintenance request for HVAC issues in university housing, and use the emergency phone numbers only if the problem can’t wait until the next business day.
UC Santa Cruz housing in Santa Cruz, CA: what you should know
UCSC housing is organized around small-scale residential communities, with continuing assignments still made through summer, fall 2026 move-in set for September 17–22, and a new two-year housing guarantee for fall 2026 incoming students.
How should an investor compare gross rent with net cash flow near University of California, Santa Cruz?
A sourced answer is not available yet.
When should I start looking for a place to live around University of California, Santa Cruz for the fall of '28?
A sourced answer is not available yet.
Reviewed video · CollegeHousing.ai
See UC Santa Cruz in context
Explore campus and the surrounding area through reviewed public videos, with source information and summaries.
Campus tourVerified 2026-09-08
UC Santa Cruz 6-minute Tour
UC Santa Cruz Admissions directs visitors to this concise campus tour.
Videos remain hosted and played by their original publishers through YouTube. CollegeHousing.ai reviews relevance and adds independent housing context; no university affiliation or endorsement is implied. Open the reviewed UC Santa Cruz video.
Ready to Find the Right Opportunity Near UC Santa Cruz?
Talk with Lori Hill about buying, renting, selling, or investing near University of California, Santa Cruz.
Let’s find the right
opportunity near UC Santa Cruz.