Being forced to move to King City (Salinas, Escondido: low crime, home)

[wonkeygirl]

Is it as bad as the statistics look? We will be stationed att the nearby Army Base. We have a young child due to enter Kindergarten next year. I have a successful children's photography business...we love culture, enjoy shopping, meetin with other families. I'm a member of a very active stay at home mothers group....

I'm really worried that this town will just not be for us...

Thanks for any hjelpful ino

wonkeygirl

[sonarrat]

King City isn't horrible, it's just a farming town. The school system is pretty bad, though. I'm not exaggerating when I say you should probably commute from Templeton, even though it's 50 miles to Fort Liggett.

[CA central coast]

Forced? You have to live in KIng City? Commute from Paso Robles or Templeton. Best option would be to live in Paso and send your kids to Templeton schools. Or better yet, find a place in rural San Miguel and send them to Pleasant Valley Elemtentary. Or figure out how to send them to PV while living in Paso Robles. Either way. Schools in Paso Robles aren't terrible, but for abslolute ease of mind, the elementary school in Templeton or Pleasant Valley.

[wonkeygirl]

Thanks for the heads up on the school system. I'm going to be living on the base, lovely, so yes, nearest town, King City. I really think it's going to kill me! Can I register my son for other school districts or can I only regestier for the district I am in?

[happ]

That's a bummer! King City is pretty much the pits. Most of the Salinas Valley is basically all agriculture. It seems that every crop known to the human race grows in Central California. There are some good vineyards\ tasting rooms around Soledad & Gonzales. And nearby Arroyo Seca is a great camping area. Lots of swimming & hiking. When I was in high school I hiked up the arroyo to Camp Escondido. All night animals were trying to break into our tent [mostly coyotes].

Salinas would be way too far from Hunter Liggett to commute. Someone mentioned San Miguel so I guess you could consider San Ardo but it's a bit remote w/ oilfields & almonds groves. Nearby Mission San Antonio & Naciemento Dam [water ski] are interesting places.

It would be better to live in Paso Robles or as it is now known as El Paso del Robles. Some California cities have gone back to their old names, like San Buenuventura for Ventura.

[wonkeygirl]

What about prices. Hubby is determined we will be living on base due to housing costs....he's pretty much put his foot down and won't listen at all, we don't even have to take the darned job, but he's determined.....

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by wonkeygirl

What about prices. ....

Where?

[wonkeygirl]

I know nothing about the area at all...it would need to be in a nearish town that has a decent per capita income, nice shops, low crime, good schools, friendly community.....

[wonkeygirl]

Is the surrounding area considered the Valley area or the Coast area. I'm trying ot get a feel for where it is. i can see on the map, but I'm not familiar with the local terms for the different areas...I really need help here, I need to try to convince him to at least give us somewhere to live that will have somethign to offer...rent being no more than $1800/mo, oh, and somewhere that may be able to support my photography business...

thanks so much for your help

Chris

[sonarrat]

The 101 corridor is the central coast, I-5 corridor is the central valley. It sounds like you need some counseling, because your husband wants to do something that is hugely unwise.