11-05-2007, 12:15 PM
Location: Visalia, CA / Bakersfield, CA / Lakewood, CA
102 posts, read
345,964 times
Reputation: 61
Visalia/Fresno/Bakersfield Vs. Santa Maria/Lompoc?
So I just wanted to see if anyone has living experience is both these areas and could give there input and compare the two. I've Lived in Visalia almost all my life, so I know V-town and Fresno pretty well, and Bakersfield to some extent. I love the central coast as far as Atascadero to Pismo goes, but have not ventured far from those areas. As many know Atascadero, SLO, Pismo are not cheap places to live. I have noticed that SM and Lompoc are significantly cheaper than the later. As my wife and I are currently educators, SLO/Atascadero may be a little out of our reach. So, if you "HAD" Choose between say Visalia and Santa Maria, which would it be? I know which is more expensive, but which has worst crime? Worst Polution? Worst entertainment? It may be a few years, 2-4 before I could make the move, so which city is headed down the right path/ improving? Thoughtful insight would be appreciated.
11-06-2007, 09:01 AM
Location: LA area
101 posts, read
309,592 times
Reputation: 51
Since you haven't had a response yet--I'll jump in.
11-06-2007, 05:38 PM
Location: Visalia, CA / Bakersfield, CA / Lakewood, CA
102 posts, read
345,964 times
Reputation: 61
Thanks, do you have any idea how the crime/gang problems in Santa Maria compare to Visalia? I know people complain about it alot. As big as the problems can be in visalia, they are usually localized to certain parts of town. Is it the same in Santa Maria/Orcutt?
11-06-2007, 05:43 PM
Santa Maria is known as Fresno on the Pacific, if that is any help. Santa Maria is a farming town, farming requires lots of low paid workers, low paid workers can be a social burden. South Santa Maria and Orcutt are the better parts of town. The area is not particularly cultural, but it is close to good areas, as Visalia is close to the Sierrra
11-07-2007, 04:49 PM
142 posts, read
294,403 times
Reputation: 58
I've lived in Santa Maria all my life. I would say Santa Barbara has more of a gang problem then Santa Maria. Not once have I ever had any encounter with anything or anyone associated with gangs. That being said, I would also agree that the south side of Santa Maria is the most desireable place to buy a home.
11-15-2007, 10:54 AM
18 posts, read
35,991 times
Reputation: 12
Is Santa Maria In So Cal??
11-15-2007, 11:03 AM
128 posts, read
442,473 times
Reputation: 84
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ejv
Is Santa Maria In So Cal??
No. Good god no. It's in the Central Coast (but not on the water). A twin city of Bakersfield: rough around the edges all the way to the center.
11-15-2007, 08:21 PM
22 posts, read
59,176 times
Reputation: 22
Santa Maria/Orcutt Resident
Santa Maria may be the stepchild of Santa Barbara County but it is a great place to retire for many (great weather, nothing extreme) and a decent place to raise a family. Orcutt is a desirable suburb of the Santa Maria Valley. Petty crime if any, great award winning schools and a family community. We are within close driving distance to Pismo Beach, San luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. SM may not have much as far as fine dining, shopping and cultural arts(there is some)however,like I said you are a stones throw away from what you need. We do offer some gems of the central coast, like one mentioned before, Santa Maria Style BBQ, PCPA Theatre, The Great American Melodrama (Oceano) and a sense of community when it counts, something that is lost in todays world. It does have its share of crime but one would say it is localized within certain areas of SM and we do have our share of bad drivers and speeding, inexperianced teens.
11-19-2007, 06:05 PM
47 posts, read
113,415 times
Reputation: 20
It's Santa Maria, hands down! Who needs the Central Valley's summer heat and smog and winter's fog and smog, Not too far from S.B. or SLO eitherr. It's great, I've been thru there many times.
11-25-2007, 04:49 PM
3 posts, read
15,111 times
Reputation: 12
I Think Visalia Is Hands Down The Better City Over Santa Maria.
Please register City-data.com
Data:
Median household income ($)
Median household income (% change since 2000)
Median family income ($)
Median family income (% change since 2000)
Median non-family income ($)
Median non-family income (% change since 2000)
Median per capita income ($)
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Median resident age
Median resident age - Males
Median resident age - Females
Unemployment (%)
Unemployment (% change since 2000)
Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes)
Population density (people per square mile)
Household density (households per square mile)
Population - Males (%)
Population - Females (%)
Population in households (%)
Average household size
Family households (%)
Nonfamily households (%)
Family households with own children (%)
Households with people 60 years and over (%)
Households with people 65 years and over (%)
Households with people 75 years and over (%)
Households with one or more nonrelatives (%)
Households with no nonrelatives (%)
Population in families (%)
Average family size
Occupied housing units (%)
Vacant housing units (%)
Owner occupied housing units (%)
Renter occupied housing units (%)
Marital status - Never married (%)
Marital status - Now married (%)
Marital status - Separated (%)
Marital status - Widowed (%)
Marital status - Divorced (%)
Likely homosexual households (%)
Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000)
Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%)
Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000)
Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%)
Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000)
Races - White alone (%)
Races - White alone (% change since 2000)
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Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%)
Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000)
Races - Two or more races(%)
Races - Two or more races(% change since 2000)
Races - Other race alone (%)
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Median house or condo value ($)
Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($)
Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($)
Median contract rent ($)
Median gross rent ($)
Median monthly housing costs ($)
Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($)
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($)
Houses occupied (%)
Houses owner occupied (%)
Houses renter occupied (%)
Mortgage status - with mortgage (%)
Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%)
Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%)
Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%)
Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%)
Median year house/condo built
Median year apartment built
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
Median number of rooms in apartments
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
Renter moved in on average (years ago)
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%)
Vacancy status - For rent (%)
Vacancy status - For sale only (%)
Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%)
Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%)
Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%)
Vacancy status - Other vacant (%)
Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%)
Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%)
Housing units in structures - 2 (%)
Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%)
Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%)
Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%)
Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%)
Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%)
Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%)
Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%)
Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%)
Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%)
Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%)
Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%)
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Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%)
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Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%)
Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%)
Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%)
Residents speaking English at home (%)
Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%)
Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%)
Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%)
Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%)
Residents speaking other language at home (%)
Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%)
Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%)
Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%)
Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%)
Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%)
Residents with income below the poverty level (%)
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%)
Children below poverty level (%)
Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%)
Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%)
Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%)
Poverty status for native-born residents (%)
Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%)
Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%)
Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%)
Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%)
Place of birth - Born in other state (%)
Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%)
Place of birth - Foreign born (%)
People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%)
People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%)
People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%)
People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%)
People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%)
People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%)
People in Group quarters - State prisons (%)
People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%)
People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%)
People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%)
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People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%)
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People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%)
People in Group quarters - On base (%)
People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer) (%)
People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%)
People in Group quarters - Military ships (%)
People in Group quarters - Group homes (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%)
People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%)
People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%)
People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%)
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People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%)
People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%)
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People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%)
People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%)
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Ancestries Reported - Arab (%)
Ancestries Reported - Czech (%)
Ancestries Reported - Danish (%)
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Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%)
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Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%)
Ancestries Reported - United States (%)
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Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%)
Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%)
Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%)
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Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%)
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Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%)
Common Industries - Public administration (%)
Common Occupations - Management, professional, and related occupations (%)
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Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%)
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Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%)
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Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%)
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Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers(%)
Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%)
Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Construction, extraction, maintenance, and repair occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Production occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Transportation and material moving occupations (%)
Common Occupations - Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers(%)
Common Occupations - Motor vehicle operators (%)
Common Occupations - Material moving workers (%)
Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%)
Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%)
Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%)
Class of Workers - Local government workers (%)
Class of Workers - State government workers (%)
Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%)
Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%)
Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%)
Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%)
Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%)
Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%)
Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%)
Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%)
Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%)
Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%)
Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%)
Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%)
Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%)
Means of transportation to work - Walked (%)
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Working at home (%)
Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%)
Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%)
Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%)
Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%)
Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%)
Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%)
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School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%)
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School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%)
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House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%)
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House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%)
House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%)
House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%)
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House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%)
Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%)
Armed forces status - Civilian (%)
Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%)
Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%)
Median household income ($) - White
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Median family income ($) - Asian
Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino
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Unemployment (%) - White
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Unemployment (%) - Multirace
Unemployment (%) - Other
Median house or condo value ($) - White
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Population - Males (%) - White
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Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace
Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other
Median resident age - White
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Median resident age - Multirace
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Average family size - Black or African American
Average family size - Asian
Average family size - Hispanic or Latino
Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native
Average family size - Multirace
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Visalia/Fresno/Bakersfield Vs. Santa Maria/Lompoc?
