Questions about Soledad and surrounding area (Salinas, Seaside: neighborhood, to live in, gangs)

[Matthew64]

Hi All-
I may be moving from Alabama (!) to Monterey Co. for a job at SVSP. Since I have never even visited CA, this is a daunting proposition. The job is great, but I figure I am in for some culture shock (although I am a transplanted Yankee from Upstate NY-Rochester to be exact). I have been online, and have already experienced sticker shock with rents, COL, etc... but I expected that.
Can anyone offer any ideas on the least expensive surrounding towns or areas to live in, that are fairly close (i.e. less than 45 minutes away)? It will take me a while to get set up and back on my feet financially, but the CA job pays almost twice what I was making here in Alabama.
Any suggestions would be welcome, as the Internet will only get you so far without "insider" input.
Thanks.

[Snort]

Well, I tried making a link to a google map, but no go. At any rate, the neighborhood where you find Portola Drive opposite Toro County Park is where I'd go.
This is probably the best area to live that's closest to your job in Soledad. For recreational activities, you have the whole Monterey peninsula just a stone throw away (given a decent arm, of course).

[ThirtysomethingGal]

I lived in Monterey from age 11 up and have recently relocated to New England after starting a family.

Salinas is large and is close to Soledad, but stay away from the east side... you won't survive the gangs. Do you have a family? Children? That makes a huge difference in what areas are okay v/s out of the question.

The drugs and gangs have spilled into Monterey and the surrounding areas... so beware. Are you working for the prison in Soledad? If not, are you aware there is a state prison located there?

Anything south of Soledad is poverty sticken, also has gangs, and has a high rate of drug use. I wouldn't live any further south than Salinas.

If you are looking for economical... check out Marina. It's a bit cheaper to live there because it's usually fogged in. However, a lot of residents don't seem to mind because it's a "bedroom community" meaning they work elsewhere and get pleanty of sunshine.

I agree with Toro park too.

[sms1967]

Marina is nice... but expect some sticker shock there, too. Since you're looking, Sand City and Seaside are neighbors. Might as well check those. Also, just a bit further inland (towards Salinas) is a community called Coral de Tierra. Not a bunch of inventory but worth a peek.