Is Salinas really THAT bad? Anybody like it there? (San Jose: apartment complex, buying a house)

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by 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.

Just FYI (if you don't know already), Toro and Las Palmas are, techincally, Salinas although I realize they are geographically farther from the core of the city.

As for south getting as many shootings ... not really but, if you look at the previously posted map on this thread ... it DOES look like the bad areas are encroaching on the south. The shooting free areas are getting smaller.

What's really scary is those are the shootings just since January. Who knows how bad it will be by the end of the year.

And all the Mayor has done is ask for a "fasting for peace" initiative. He should be asking for federal troops.

I guess Salinas is just one of those towns that you have to write off.

[DjRey]

Salinas has alot of gangmembers.If your from San Rafael,i dont know if your gonna like it.you should go check it out first.

[ripley44mag]

Ahhhh Salinas, home of John Steinbeck and the Grapes of Wrath. They have lots of great Mexican cantina's in town. Good Mex food. If you are a tough nut, you will like Salinas. Its not for sissies. Ripley

[LeftCoastDave]

Seems some folks responding here don't like Salinas that much; well, my wife and I sure do. We moved from a quiet neighborhood in Mountain View to the Maple Park area of Salinas (it abuts Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, south side of town). We leased a house here for one year before deciding to make the move.

Yes, there is crime here. And there is, for us, a lot of charm as well, and of course glorious weather. The area isn't nearly as congested as other areas I've lived (what the folks here call "rush hour" still makes me smile). If we want to goof around on the Monterey Peninsula, we need only drive about 30 minutes. There are a LOT of great outdoor activities in this area.

As for housing, we very much like our neighborhood; areas further south, such as Las Palmas and Toro, are nice, I suppose, though one would be far more dependent on a car (cycling gets tough there) for groceries and such. Another area you might want to check into is north of Salinas by only a few miles, such as Prunedale and Aromas. They are very pretty.

Having lived here now for almost two years, we have really come to love Salinas, and are discovering evermore neat spots to visit. Our only regret is in having not moved here sooner.

Best of luck
Dr. Dave

[suzannavik]

My mother is the new Chief Nursing Officer at Natividad. We moved here from a very nice part of Connecticut, and absolutely love it here in Salinas. It was the best decision we ever made. We are currently renting a house in CreekBridge- 4br/3ba $2200/mo- and live on a beautiful well manicured cul de sac, 4 out of 6 of our neighbors came over within the first week to welcome us to the neighborhood and invite us to a little block party they were having with the other families in the neighborhood that weekend. Nothing like that had EVER happened to us in Connecticut, so if this is the norm in CA we are amazed! I have two young children and am staying with my parents while my husband is in Iraq, if you are planning on having kids soon this really is the place to be. I do playgroups at the Salinas Adult School- which is the 3rd most federally funded government child development center in the state, and also in Monterey and Pacific Grove, all of them are absolutely amazing no matter what your “green” preferences are. My point is that it the county is a great place to raise your kids. Even though I do love my neighbors, I know that gang violence is only a few miles away and that all the pesticides on the farms do make me a little nervous. If you would have these same feelings it is not a far drive from Salinas to Monterey or other local towns.

I don’t care what other people have said I really have to disagree and say that I do not think that there would be a better place to start and raise a family. Hello- farms, fresh fruit, great museums and aquariums, tons of parks and opportunities to be outside in fabulous weather, beautiful scenery (beaches, mountains), and lots of different areas that would pretty much suit any persons needs- Can you tell I love it here? lol

[suzannavik]

[quote=suzannavik;5066365]My mother is the new Chief Nursing Officer at Natividad. We moved here from a very nice part of Connecticut, and absolutely love it here in Salinas. It was the best decision we ever made. We are currently renting a house in CreekBridge- 4br/3ba $2200/mo- and live on a beautiful well manicured cul de sac, 4 out of 6 of our neighbors came over within the first week to welcome us to the neighborhood and invite us to a little block party they were having with the other families in the neighborhood that weekend. Nothing like that had EVER happened to us in Connecticut, so if this is the norm in CA we are amazed! I have two young children and am staying with my parents while my husband is in Iraq, if you are planning on having kids soon this really is the place to be. I do playgroups at the Salinas Adult School- which is the 3rd most federally funded government child development center in the state, and also in Monterey and Pacific Grove, all of them are absolutely amazing no matter what your “green” preferences are. My point is that it the county is a great place to raise your kids. Even though I do love my neighbors, I know that gang violence is only a few miles away and that all the pesticides on the farms do make me a little nervous. If you would have these same feelings it is not a far drive from Salinas to Monterey or other local towns.

I don’t care what other people have said I really have to disagree and say that I do not think that there would be a better place to start and raise a family. Hello- farms, fresh fruit, great museums and aquariums, tons of parks and opportunities to be outside in fabulous weather, beautiful scenery (beaches, mountains), and lots of different areas that would pretty much suit any persons needs- Can you tell I love it here? lol

(Oh and if you do get the job and this influences your decision in any way please tell Carol Jordan that I did a wonderful job recruiting you )

[guignol]

Originally Posted by sheri257

I guess Salinas is just one of those towns that you have to write off.

well, even if i choose to live elsewhere i wouldn't say that. salinas is a fine town with lots of qualities.

the last area i lived was toro park, but if i moved back i would live in south salinas, pererably on of the streets with tree names off s. main. a closer look at the google map shows only two homicides south of west market and both close to market, an area that's always been a tad seedy... but that won't stop me from going to central park to play tennis... no place is perfect!

my reaction to natividad was that it wouldn't be the greatest place to work, it's kind of the redheaded stepchild hospital of the area, but suzannavik would know more about that than i would.

a last remark: when we go there these days it's for vacation, and pretty much just to see family. the main things to do or see are all seen and done in a few days, going farther afield like big basin, or digging deeper like the boronda adobe, can keep you occupied a couple of weeks at most... but you can say that for any small town.

[Native born escapee]

Avoid the core by all means! I was born and raised there until I was 23( I'm 40 now). I visit friends every year and yet to have seen any improvement.
Stay away from Castroville, Seaside, New Monterey, Marina and Chular. These are ghetos!!!
Anything along highway 68 is good.
If you are starting a family, try Aromas. It's like Mayberry. There is only enough water to support about 900 homes in the valley, this prevents big developers from wrecking it.
Prunedale is ok too. You should have some appreciation for rural living either way.

[ghost123]

Originally Posted by 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.

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But WHERE are those good areas?..

[ghost123]

Originally Posted by 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.

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Greaat...no wonder why their pretty houses are so cheap. That explains it.