- Tom Brezsny

What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been

September 24, 2026Santa Cruz has aged full circle in recent years, coming back to its roots as one of the oldest Counties in the State. What a long, strange trip it’s been, going from that sleepy little beach town in the 1960s to today’s version which is officially THE oldest county in California and one that shows up on everyone’s list of top ten most expensive places to live on the planet! Santa Cruz has a well-earned reputation for lots of things but who could have imagined...

- Natasha Mingay

Where History Lives: The Story of Walnut Avenue

September 23, 2026There are certain streets in Santa Cruz that immediately feel special, and Walnut Avenue is one of them. Lined with beautiful historic homes, mature trees, and vintage-style street lamps, it offers a rare glimpse into the city’s past, just a few blocks from the heart of downtown. 322 Walnut Avenue is a home that truly belongs in this setting. Filled with original character, surrounded by private gardens, and thoughtfully updated over time, it is a place where history is not simply preserved. It is part...

- Tom Brezsny

Adult Kids Trying to Help

September 18, 2026Continuing the conversation....talking about the moves more people in their 80s and 90s are making as they try to come to terms with the inevitable transitions of aging. And also talking about some of the common questions that come up when adult children try to help their aging parents through the difficult process of leaving the family home. Sound familiar? It seems like everyone knows someone going through a version of this scenario these days. That’s what happens when the population continues to age all...

- Tom Brezsny

Continuing the Story of Bob and Cathy

September 11, 2026Picking up where we left off… talking with Bob and Cathy who have graciously agreed to share a little of their story as they wrestle with the challenges of downsizing. They are in their mid 60s, close to retirement, have moderate savings and have lived in their 4br, 3.5ba, 3500 +/- sq ft home for more than 25 years. Their kids are grown and they’re ready for a smaller, less expensive, single level home near the beach. As Bob says: “Part of what we’re struggling...

- Tom Brezsny

The Story of Bob and Cathy Part 1

September 4, 2026Picking up the thread...we’ve been blessed with an opportunity to eavesdrop on a real life situation courtesy of Bob and Cathy (a local couple whose names have been changed to protect the innocent). They’ve graciously agreed to be the poster-couple for the huge swathe of aging baby-boomers trying to figure out what comes next and what’s going to work for the last third of their lives. We’ve been wondering why the real estate market has had such low inventory and it’s my contention that the...