Santa Cruz and surrounding area? (Riverside, Scotts Valley: apartments, crime, motel)

[Rapidarp]

How is Santa Cruz and the surrounding area (Soquel, Aptos, Scotts Valley)? I went to the boardwalk a few weeks ago and was kinda shocked to see how old Santa Cruz looked. It looked run down in most areas with homeless littered amongst the streets. How is this city and area in terms of crime and quality of life?

[jaynetarzana]

Crime is getting worse due to the gangs and the increasing numbers of homeless people. Many families are moving away because they no longer feel safe. This is a very expensive area to live in only to have to share it with gangs and homeless.

[Bluesbabe]

The area across from the Boardwalk has actually improved a lot in the last 10 years or so. You wouldn't have believed the ghetto that occupied off Riverside Av. It was referred to as 'Cottage City' a very long time ago, and were already quite old when we vacationed there in the 60's. Some were rented out as apartments, but most of them were for vacationers. They became more dilapidated in time and drew in a lot of migrants and drugs. Definitely a good area to avoid walking around in at night.

Many of them have since been torn down and redeveloped. But, although it may look a little better today, I've no doubt that crime has still increased. S C has always been a magnet for the homeless (since the hippie era in the 60's). Don't know why. I'm definitely in agreement that such an unaffordable place to live should be so occupied with gangs and homelessness. This is a place where Motel 8 can run up to over $200/nt during the summer!

But I think a lot of its tired appearance is from earthquake damage. The streets always have permanent damage, are never given face-lifts to improve the look. I do still think it's a lovely place, and still go there every other year. But I gave up dreams to move there long ago.