Is Santa Cruz a Good Place for Kids?

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by imcurious

I hate to say this, but I would not want to raise kids in Santa Cruz County, despite the awesomeness of the county itself. I just think with the surf and gang and drug cultures that it would be really difficult to monitor teenagers to assure their safety. I know that is true for many, if not most places, but it would make me really nervous to think of teens partying in Santa Cruz (even though I myself did it, or maybe because I myself did it - but when I was a teen, it was only beer, not hard drugs, and no gangs that I was aware of) . . .

Yes, if i'm remember correctly, that was the gist of my first reply to the o.p. ... that she may feel more comfortable raising her kids in communities other than Santa Cruz proper if she isn't comfortable with the particular negatives of it.

[Manzanita2012]

As far as filth, rudeness, and a bunch of junkies - that's a huge exaggeration.

I don't see as much dividing line between Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, Soquel. I lived in Live Oak & Opal Cliffs for a long time and was pretty much in all these towns practically every day. They're really close together. Obviously there are more homeless and traffic west of the harbor, but the behaviors and drugs are fluid all over the county. Anyway I've been debating moving back with my son - I'm checking out as many places as I can - and I have these same doubts about it being a good place for kids. Also partly because of what I witnessed as a teenager. It was mid 80's so it was coke not meth, and loads of pot, some heroin. I would say, back then, Soquel had more available drugs for purchase on campus than Harbor High in Santa Cruz. Maybe that has changed. We didn't have as many gangs back then so I don't what kind of influence that has on kids who aren't directly involved, but I figure it can't be good.

The thing is, there is also a lot of natural beauty and nice people and healthy activities, good bookstores, farmers markets, some family friendly events, a lot of nice pocket neighborhood parks, so the question is, is there anywhere better? I'm thinking that drugs and gang activity are universal at this point. If I knew of a place where my son could grow up insulated from all that, we would move there immediately, but so far no luck finding that place.

[jaijai]

^^^^ Good post.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Manzanita2012

If I knew of a place where my son could grow up insulated from all that, we would move there immediately, but so far no luck finding that place.

You can find Pleasantvilles all over the country, but you have to check your soul at the gate.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

You can find Pleasantvilles all over the country, but you have to check your soul at the gate.

There's definitely truth in that.
I've lived in one.