I lived in Santa Cruz for over 10 years and grew up in the area. The tech industry has had hugely negative effects on Santa Cruz. It's a long but doable commute to the south bay (including Netflix), and there's shuttles to many of the larger tech companies. The job market in Santa Cruz is dismal; the university is a major source of jobs but other than that it's mostly small town service jobs. Trying to live in Santa Cruz AND work in Santa Cruz is very difficult.
Home ownership is out of reach for the vast majority of people who work in the area, and the rental market is dominated by students living off of student loans or family support rather than supported by local jobs.
There is no easy answer, because as others have noted, Santa Cruz is surrounded by ocean and greenspace, and full of NIMBYs who want to limit development. I can't blame them; the city is cute and many of the neighborhoods are lovely. It's just a shame that it's becoming a bedroom community for Silicon Valley rather than a self-sustaining town in its own right.
Home ownership is out of reach for the vast majority of people who work in the area, and the rental market is dominated by students living off of student loans or family support rather than supported by local jobs.
There is no easy answer, because as others have noted, Santa Cruz is surrounded by ocean and greenspace, and full of NIMBYs who want to limit development. I can't blame them; the city is cute and many of the neighborhoods are lovely. It's just a shame that it's becoming a bedroom community for Silicon Valley rather than a self-sustaining town in its own right.