Is Salinas really THAT bad? Anybody like it there? (Vallejo: agriculture, work)

[la1chapina]

I'm looking into a medical residency at Natividad in Salinas, but everyone says stay away. I've had no positive feedback about the place and now my husband is discouraged to move there, opting for Florida! We're from Vallejo, by way of Marin, no kids yet (but will in next few years), like farmer's markets (Salinas good for Agriculture) and diverse culture and are both fluent in Spanish. Is it all about the gang crime? How much does it affect your daily life? Would living "downtown" be best? What about any surrounding cities with less than a 15 min commute to Salinas?

Anyone out there work at Natividad who has a postitive outlook about it?

Thanks!!!!!!

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by la1chapina

I'm looking into a medical residency at Natividad in Salinas, but everyone says stay away. I've had no positive feedback about the place and now my husband is discouraged to move there, opting for Florida! We're from Vallejo, by way of Marin, no kids yet (but will in next few years), like farmer's markets (Salinas good for Agriculture) and diverse culture and are both fluent in Spanish. Is it all about the gang crime? How much does it affect your daily life? Would living "downtown" be best? What about any surrounding cities with less than a 15 min commute to Salinas?

Anyone out there work at Natividad who has a postitive outlook about it?

Thanks!!!!!!

......Some one else that actually lives in Salinas is going to have to fill you in on all of the day to day details. Salinas is your typical California small too medium sized city with gang and crime activity just stay in the good neighborhoods as much as possible and you will be alright. I live in Vallejo Cali to and can tell you that Vallejo has ( Gang and Crime) problems to and if you are going to FLORIDA hold on to your hat , talking about Gang and Crime problems.

[N CA]

All of California has those problems. I've had a recent learning experience re: gangs. The Nortenos and Surenos are moving North. A Brentwood parent told me that the kids can't wear blue or red to school in that community. No community is immune.

[TheShoeboxDiaries541]

Originally Posted by N CA

All of California has those problems. I've had a recent learning experience re: gangs. The Nortenos and Surenos are moving North. A Brentwood parent told me that the kids can't wear blue or red to school in that community. No community is immune.

Forget CA. Schools all across Oregon and Southern/Central Washington have the begun to enforce the same rule. No red or blue, and nothing with the letters SF or LA or numbers 13 or 14 written on it.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by N CA

All of California has those problems. I've had a recent learning experience re: gangs. The Nortenos and Surenos are moving North. A Brentwood parent told me that the kids can't wear blue or red to school in that community. No community is immune.

The nortenos are moving north? I'm pretty sure they started here, hence the name.

[bigdave01]

If you don't want to live in Salinas Monterey and Carmel are close by, but they are a lot more pricey.

My mom grew up in Salinas, and it definitely has its problems, but there are some good areas.

[NorthernCalifornia]

Originally Posted by N CA

All of California has those problems. I've had a recent learning experience re: gangs. The Nortenos and Surenos are moving North. A Brentwood parent told me that the kids can't wear blue or red to school in that community. No community is immune.

quit listening to the jr high school principal. that is utter *******s.

[sheri257]

I do know some people who live in south Salinas who say that part of town is ok. And there's some very ritzy but, also, expensive Salinas areas close to Monterey.

But ... the murder rate is hitting record highs this year. My husband is in law enforcement and, basically, it doesn't get any worse than Salinas.

There's such a stigma with that town ... and, unfortunatley it does seem to live up to its reputation in many parts. I personally wouldn't buy a house there.

[sheri257]

I found this map of shootings in Salinas since January ...

Google Maps

As you can see, there are a lot. The safest areas would probably be areas like Toro Park and Las Palmas which are basically a few miles out of town but within commutable distance. Very expensive though ...

[grussem]

Salinas is a ****hole, there are NO redeeming qualities about this place. The gangs are out of control here. There are just as many shootings in the "nice" South Salinas neighborhoods as there are the East and Northside. If you DO decide to work at Natividad follow some of the previous suggestions and live in Toro Park or Las Palmas.

I bought a house in Salinas a few years ago and regret having ever done so. I would rather be a renter in Monterey, Toro, or Las Palmas than a homeowner in Salinas.