Seaside? (Salinas, Monterey, Marina: real estate, renting, crime)

[lexi]

Tired of renting... Seaside real estate(near Monterey) looks affordable but
is it safe? Any area's better than another ?or is Marina better or worse?
We're currently renting in Aptos.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

[sonarrat]

Seaside is basically where all the service-industry workers who can't afford to live in Monterey on their Monterey jobs live. It's got some problems with crime and poverty and the schools are not very good. Marina is similar and only a bit better. The crime numbers are better than Monterey, but it's deceptive, because the tourists in that town raise hell and make the numbers look worse. Monterey is overall a much better value even though it costs more.

[lexi]

Thanks Sonarrat, I was afraid of that but don't want to pay Monterey prices..
with everything going up from everything from gas to milk we were hoping to
find something affordable. It's amazing to me that places like Seaside with
homes in the 300's and up is filled with crime. Or Salinas which is off the charts and
filled with gangs, strange.

[sonarrat]

Well, Monterey-Salinas is the most unaffordable metro area, based on wages vs. real estate prices, in the country. What you're feeling is what everybody is feeling right now. I don't think Seaside is necessarily filled with crime, but it isn't Aptos.

[Mvn2nc]

Seaside has a lot of nice areas. Dont forget, a part of "Seaside" is now what was once Ft.Ord with almost brand new homes.I lived in Seaside and also Marina at one point, Seaside has some of the most spectacular views of the Penninsula you have ever seen. Dont discount it most of it is nice. Marina has fantastic prices, safe but has the dreaded dreary fog. it drove me out of there but was safe too.
If you are really interested in buying on the Penninsula i would suggest talking to a Real Esate agent telling them of your concern about Seaside, they know the areas you want to stay away from.

[lexi]

Originally Posted by Mvn2nc

Seaside has a lot of nice areas. Dont forget, a part of "Seaside" is now what was once Ft.Ord with almost brand new homes.I lived in Seaside and also Marina at one point, Seaside has some of the most spectacular views of the Penninsula you have ever seen. Dont discount it most of it is nice. Marina has fantastic prices, safe but has the dreaded dreary fog. it drove me out of there but was safe too.
If you are really interested in buying on the Penninsula i would suggest talking to a Real Esate agent telling them of your concern about Seaside, they know the areas you want to stay away from.

Thank you! I think after mulling it over overnight and waking up to your
post we will go out with a realtor and look. I would hate the fog so
we'll stick with seaside. Doesn't hurt to look!

[Mvn2nc]

Originally Posted by lexi

Thank you! I think after mulling it over overnight and waking up to your
post we will go out with a realtor and look. I would hate the fog so
we'll stick with seaside. Doesn't hurt to look!

Good Luck! With the prices the way they've dropped there, i am sure you'll find something thats worth it and so close to Monterey, although Aptos is wonderful!