I live in an apartment in Capitola and commute to Silicon Valley once to twice per week. Before interest rates spiked last year I thought about purchasing a ho

I live in an apartment in Capitola and commute to Silicon Valley once to twice per week. Before interest rates spiked last year I thought about purchasing a home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where home prices are considerably lower than either in Silicon Valley or along the coast. Besides the wildfire risk (there was a devastating fire a few years ago), other concerns include: - Inconveniences due to falling trees in the winter months during heavy storms, such as blocked roads (which could ruin your commute due to few alternatives) and power outages (could be a problem for remote/hybrid workers). - Earthquakes: the San Andreas fault runs roughly parallel to Highway 35, and the epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake was in the Santa Cruz Mountains in a place called Loma Prieta. I have a colleague who is a long-time resident of Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County. When the earthquake struck in 1989, it knocked his house off its foundation. - Living in the mountains is a different lifestyle from living in a suburban area, and it can be quite a transition for those who never lived in such an environment. For example, consider the consequences of living near animals such as deer and mountain lions. I ultimately decided against it, but I know people who live in the Santa Cruz Mountains and love it. It depends on how willing you're able to deal with the potential inconveniences and challenges.