Now it's even less of a good idea. Another way that wages could rise, of course, is if the region becomes a less desirable place to live. UCSD economist Julian Betts said problems like traffic and pollution could erode the region's image, as has happened in Los Angeles, and could force employers to pay more to recruit and keep workers. Those fatter paychecks might be a Pyrrhic victory, but some observers worry that might be the direction the region is headed. We know that California is getting a bad rap on this electricity crisis.
More pressing problems are traffic, pollution and so on.
The day may come when California in general, and San Diego in particular, just have to start paying higher wages. With prosperity, San Diego's tech boom brings higher housing prices, longer commutes and challenges to the quality of life. The spread of the technology industry creates new problems with sprawl and traffic. THE POLL San Diego County residents are generally upbeat about the impact of the technology industry on the region. A special report on who has survived in San Diego's dot-com industry.