# Santa Cruz Survival Guide
## Airport to SC
- Hertz ($100/day)
- Uber
## Move In
- Contact owner/manager
- Set up utilities (electricity, water, sewage, garbage, **internet**)
- **check mobile coverage: some area are poorly covered by T-mobile**
- Xfinity (Santa Cruz)
- Prepaid options are much cheaper (Bestbuy)
## Open Bank Account
Needs to make an appointment by phone
- Bank of America (Santa Cruz)
- Wells Fargo (Santa Cruz)
- Chase (Capitola)
## UCSC ID Card
Reference: https://slugstore.ucsc.edu/ePOS?form=shared3/gm/merch.html&cat=691&store=721&design=721
1. Upload photo
2. Wait for email reply
3. Pick up at Bay Tree Bookstore
## SSN & Tax Stuffs
- SSN: 10 days physically in the US (9/19)
- Reference: https://isss.ucsc.edu/resources/ssnitin.html
### Steps
#### SSN
1. Send the ISSS Social Security Authorization Letter Request Form to your supervisor to get it signed. ([Link](https://isss.ucsc.edu/files/resources/social-security-number-employment-form.pdf))
2. Log onto your iGlobal account and go to ISSS Requests on the left-hand side.
3. Complete the Social Security Letter Request eform to receive an ISSS Support letter (Email [e-mail] to notify us of your submission)
4. Once ISSS receives the completed eform, we will issue you an ISSS SSN support letter within 7-10 business days.
5. Due to COVID-19 and public safety concerns, the Social Security Administration (SSA) adjusted the process for you to obtain a Social Security Number. In order to receive an in person appointment you must first fax all required information to the Santa Cruz SSA. These documents will be reviewed and then you will be contacted for an in person appointment. Once you are contacted you will be expected to bring originals of all documents which were faxed to the SSA. Most FedEx, UPS or other print services typically have fax machines.
6. Fax items to the Social Security Administration at 833-950-2436 and allow 3-4 weeks for SSA to contact you to set up an in-person appointment.

**Bring to In-Person Appointment**

ATT: Joshua Cohen

On the cover letter please also include your phone number so you can be reached to schedule an appointment.

Items to include:
- Original SS-5 (must be fully completed and signed AND include your phone number)
- Original foreign passport (biographical page)
- I-94 (Most recent I-94, not the travel history)
- ISSS SSN Support Letter
- ISSS Social Security Authorization letter signed by supervisor
- I-20/DS-2019 (ISSS will send an electronic version, which you will need to print off)
#### Payment/Taxes

### After receiving SSN
- [ ] Get Relocation Stipend ($1,500)
- [ ] Get Housing Stipend ($2,500)
- [ ] Register SSN at BoA
## Life Basics
### Pick-up
- Costco (Santa Cruz)
- Target (Capitola)
### Online
- Amazon (Fast: 1-2 days)
- 6 months free prime account with UCSC e-mail (remember to cancel)
- Walmart (Fast: 1-2 days, free shipping over $30)
## Eat
### Cook Yourself
- Safeway (Santa Cruz, Cheap)
- Milk: $3.5/gal
- Trader Joe's (Santa Cruz)
- Fresh produce? (haven't visited)
- New Leaf (Santa Cruz)
- (fruit looks good but expensive)
- Costco (Santa Cruz)
- Bottled Water: $3.5/40 bottles * 0.6L
- Weee (Online, free-shipping over $35)
- Remember to use invitation link
- Asian food & cooking ingredients
### Eat Out (Spots from locals)
- Taqueria Los Pericos
- Best Tacos ($4.5/taco, really tasty)
- Nick The Greek
- Gyros & Pitas (haven't tried)
- Abbott Square Market (Food Court)
- Pizza (Italian, haven't tried, looks very authentic)
- Crow's Ness Restaurant
- Seafood
- Deke's Market
- Sandwiches
- Akira Seabright
- Sushi
## Transportation
### Car
- Zip Car (UCSC student plan)
- Cheapest: $5.5/hr
- Accepts int'l license
- Only pick up/return in UCSC campus
### Bus
- In town: SC Metro (free for UCSC students)
- To San Jose: 17 Highway (discounted now: $3.5/one-way)
### Uber/Lyft
- Lyft is usually cheaper
## Outdoor Activities
- Running
- Cycling
- Buy used bikes: Bike Church ($100~$300)
- Surfing
- Capitola
- Kayaking ($50/4hr)
- Elkhorn