Farmers set up shop near Salinas for a reason. An urban island enclosed by acres and acres of farmland around it, Salinas residents enjoy the temperate Northern California weather year-round. Not only that, but the city is far enough from metropolises like San Francisco (2.5 hours) and beach towns like Monterey (30 minutes) to be something that most of California is not: quiet. Salinas is a rare mixture of temperate and tranquil.

Other than the temperate weather and natural beauty, expensive housing is another California trademark present in Salinas. Housing costs in Salinas, while cheaper than neighbors, are well above national averages, so you’ll have to pay to play just like everywhere else in the state. Despite this, Salinas residents often complain that there’s not much to do in the city itself. Drives to Monterey are common for those looking to get out of the house. Speaking of getting out of the house, residents also complain that it isn’t always safe, another knock on the beautiful city.


LookyLOO Review of Salinas?

One thing that residents of Salinas certainly appreciate is the art world. Music lovers can find a home at the [Fox Theater](https://www.foxtheatersalinas.com/). Visual arts lovers find a home every month at the First Friday Art Walk. Those appreciating the beauty of the natural world will find a home in Salinas as well. A plethora of trails, the beaches within a thirty-minute drive, and the nearby [Monterey Zoo](https://montereyzoo.org/) and [Monterey Bay Aquarium](https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/) offer outlets to the natural beauty of our planet that few other cities can provide. Outside of those things, there’s not much locally for Salinas residents to do, and most of those options even require drives outside the borders of Salinas.

To see what locals get up to for fun in Salinas, check out the [calendar of events](https://business.salinaschamber.com/community-event-calendar). 

We highly recommend visiting Salinas and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Lifestyle 

The schools in Salinas have fared poorly at the elementary level on standardized tests as evidenced by the score of [C on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/salinas-city-elementary-school-district-ca/). Teachers in the district get a higher grade though and the fact nearly 40% of the student population is first-generation and working through the English-language barriers of standardized tests drives underperformance at the elementary level. There is marked improvement in student and school performance at the high school level as shown in the [B rating on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/salinas-union-high-school-district-ca/) for the schools in the area. Given time, the schools and the students catch up and perform well. 

On the Rise

Schools 

If you’re involved with the agriculture industry or have a job that is flexible enough to allow to move out of the big Bay Area or LA slog, you can enjoy Northern California with a move to Salinas, and pay a lot less. 


NorCal Value

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**pplcallmedonuts**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

My husband and I bought a house in South Salinas a year ago and have had no issues. Are there homeless people around the main street freeway exit, yes. Do they bother you? NO. We walk to Old Town often both day and night and have never felt unsafe. Also, I've got to tell you, having spent 4 decades in the valley of Santa Clara County, the sunsets here are amazing.

For more reviews of what living in Salinas is like from locals, check out [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/salinas/reviews).


Reviews of Salinas from Locals

River Rd/Parker Rd is an upscale rural neighborhood with a median home price of $1.15m and avg rent for a home of $5.2k+ The blocks are beautiful and tree-lined and the homes are on large lots and are mostly 3+ bedrooms. Most of the children attend either [**Boronda Meadows Elementary School**](https://www.salinascityesd.org/boronda-meadows) or [**Spreckels Elementary School**](https://www.spreckelsdistrict.org/Our-Schools/Spreckels-Elementary/index.html), [**El Sausal Middle School]**(https://www.salinasuhsd.org/Domain/12), and [**Salinas High School**](https://www.salinasuhsd.org/Domain/16).


Families

River Rd / Parker Rd

The San Benancio Rd / Harper Canyon Rd neighborhood is another upscale area with beautiful homes along streets filled with evergreen trees. The more densely laid out homes sell for an avg median $1 million or rent for an avg $4900. Homes are typically 3+ bedrooms and highly valued for the strong community feel throughout the neighborhood. 
One of the great prizes of the neighborhood is [**Toro County Park**](https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/public-works-facilities-parks/county-parks/list-of-county-parks/toro-park). It's smack dab in the middle of the area and has riding trails, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and baseball diamonds and acts as a hub for the local community. 


San Benancio Rd / Harper Canyon Rd

The E Boronda Rd / Constitution Blvd neighborhood offers lower-priced housing options. It's home to many students who attend colleges in nearby downtown, including Hartnell College and California State University, Monterey Bay.
The median home price is $755,000 and avg rent $2,840. Unlike many neighborhoods in Salinas, this area has many apartment rental options, for either students, or young professionals looking for cheaper options than Monterey. [**Harden Ranch**](https://www.udr.com/salinas-apartments/north-salinas/pointe-at-harden-ranch/) and [**Boronda Manor**](https://www.udr.com/salinas-apartments/santa-rita/boronda-manor/) are two popular options. 

Locals appreciate the short walk to major shopping/restaurant options as well as the fact several parks are within walking distance including [**Santa Rita**](https://www.gotparks.com/?type=all&s=CA&f=1873360&fbclid=IwAR1cnrqsGflx59mYCLMX2YoVjIiIcAxB3EXOB3m8O-n6hvlcS8DkPQWuRSE) and Soto Square Playground. Ideal for young families looking to keep the kiddos active outdoors. 


Families/DINKs/SINKs

E Boronda Rd / Constitution Blvd

Salinas

**Lolbabycowboy**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Hi, 20F here, I don’t live in Salinas anymore but I grew up there and visit often (my boyfriend attends DLI). I live in Berkeley now and I miss living in the area. The weather is nicer than any other area I’ve lived/visited, there’s a lot of big department stores, and there’s free parking everywhere (something unlikely in Berkeley/SF). In my opinion salinas is safe; most high crime rates are from decades ago. I do think that moving to Salinas anytime during your 20 is pretty tough on your social life (especially because everyone around that age grew up here and everyone who didn’t move away to college has already started a family). There’s not much to do in the area (after a while the same spots, like Round1, become repetitive) and I think the drive between Salinas and Monterey gets annoying when trying to see your partner multiple times a week especially with DLIs curfews. There’s a lot of heavy fog at night. Safety wise and budget I say Salinas is great, but socially seaside would be better to consider.

**pplcallmedonuts**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

My husband and I bought a house in South Salinas a year ago and have had no issues. Are there homeless people around the main street freeway exit, yes. Do they bother you? NO. We walk to Old Town often both day and night and have never felt unsafe. Also, I've got to tell you, having spent 4 decades in the valley of Santa Clara County, the sunsets here are amazing.

**Showing Homes in Salinas California - VLOG #015**

**flannhell**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Dude Salinas is so fine honestly. I lived my whole life until 21 or so there in the Creekbridge area and it was so chill. Hella people rip on the place but they really don’t know what they’re talking about

Salinas, California

Salad Bowl of the World

Looklyloo Score: 85

Reviews

What's it like to live in Salinas?