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| Visalia...Love it or leave it... - 2/18/2013
I totally agree with all of you...I have lived in Visalia since 1951...I've moved away 5 times...decided that there is no place like home...some of the comments seem to have some racial undertones...and that's OK...I've grown up with that...you'll find that where ever you go...be it against white, brown, red, yellow and the green martians...or are they..? anyway. enjoy life peace be with you all...those that stay...is because they like it here...those that don't like it...PACK YOU BAGS and try and find your utopia...you won't find it...you make your own Heaven or Hell...you get to pick your destination...enjoy life...be happy don't worry..! Jesus is LORD[read more...]
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| Small City Charms - 11/24/2012
We have lived in Visalia since 1970 and have seen it grow from a town of 30,000 to over 4 times that size, but it is still a small town with the small downtown in addition to malls in the outer parts of town.
An agricultural community in Tulare County, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley in the very center of California, it is huge in dairy, citrus and nut crops. Cotton is important, but produced in greater quantity in the west valley counties.
The valley floor, from the bottom of the Grapevine south of Bakersfield, to the city of Red Bluff, is 444 miles long and 70 miles wide of flat valley, changing elevation from only 380 in Bakersfield, feet down to 12 feet above sea level in Stockton and back up to 350 feet in Red Bluff with virtually no hills the entire distance.
Surrounded by a coastal range to the west and formidable mountains to the north and east, the valley is protected from major weather phenomena. With the highest and lowest points in the continental United States at the east end of Tulare County,(Mt. Whitney and Death Valley) a bit of travel changes your environment a great deal. The ocean is a two hour drive to the west.
Temperature ranges from a very dry 100 degrees in the summer to a few freezing days in the winter. Fog can be a problem in the winter and 10 or fewer inches of rain take place during the late autumn through early spring.
Low wages and lack of education keep it close to its "Grapes of Wrath" culture. The modern equivalent of the dust storm escapees are from Mexico, looking for a better life.
The majority population is non-white. Income is low by all state standards. But with sunshine and dry weather nearly year round, it can be a nice place to enjoy life, if your standards are not too high. Housing is affordable and available, from $60,000 two bedroom homes to multimillion dollar mansions in gated communities.
Eating tri-tip barbequed on the weekend while watching the Giants, Raiders or 49'ers play ball is considered entertainment unless you are in to watching your children or grand-kids play soccer.
Food in Downtown Visalia is exceptional with over 90 restaurants within walking distance of the center of town. From famous hot dogs to tacos of all types, quick and tasty meals are very affordable. But the fine food and continental cuisine from restaurants with a state wide reputation make Visalia a gourmet's playground.
Some of the finest wines in the world are available at the very approachable wineries an afternoon's drive in any direction.
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| living in the heart of ag land - 3/11/2012
Visalia is a nice-sized town surrounded by farmland and dairies. We have the modern restaurants and shopping, and within a few minutes you can be in the quiet of driving through orchards or cropland. In the spring, it's green and lovely, but much of the year it's very dry and dusty with a lot of brown. The weather isn't bad--pretty warm in the summer but dry, and only miserably hot for a few weeks here and there. Everything is air-conditioned. Winter can be chilly if foggy but generally pretty mild. [read more...]
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| Sorry we had to leave Visalia. - 2/8/2011
Visalia has so much to offer!! We have had to live in a smaller community in Utah, Near the National Parks, the Red Rocks are beautiful. Give me the National Parks near Visalia. Lived also near Niagra Falls and that is a very cold place.
Lived in Palm Springs now that is hot!! Visalia has you close to the Beautiful Green Mountains and close to the Ocean. Los Angeles and San Franciso are just far enough away. Close enough to enjoy for a day or so.
Wish I was back in Visalia.....
Look around and you will love Visalia as I do.
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| crime rate - 12/17/2010
Visalia just had a reported population over 100,000 which moved it into a different category.
As such it is now eligable to be considered among the crime statistics.
As of last year it had the highest murder rate in the country - and also some of the highest incidences of use of methamphetamine.
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| My opinion - 3/24/2010
I've lived in Visalia all my life & it's my belief here it depends on who you socialize with that depends on the quality of your life. Me living here for so long I've met the best of people & have been social with them in great places to socialize, but I've also met and have been around those who are negative influences and had an impact on my life personally. Those people have made me call this place a dump after coming back into town from a nice getaway, but Visalia isn't a bad place. In my honest opinion Main st. is the heart of Visalia along with the small welcoming buisnesses. Visalia is a great place just a mixture of different culture that in my opinion should never try to relate as ever becoming a whole. I grew up here, but I want to move and surround myself by only people I consider good. [read more...]
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| Pleasant place to live...if you like winter fog an - 9/22/2009
Summers are hot and dry, frequently over 100 for a month or so straight. Little relief from heat. Winters frequently foggy and dreary, may go a month without seeing the sun, that is if there is rain. Area has seen a severe drought due to lack of rain, which regenerates aqua flow.
Cost of living in Visalia, part of the Central Valley of California, is cheaper than most areas, except cost of electricity is expensive. Homeowners that can afford it are having solar panels installed to alleviate the high summer cost. Our electric bill was over $450 for several months this summer, and we don't even have a swimming pool.
Agricultural area with Oranges, Grapes, Raisins, Garlic, Onions, Broccoli, wonderful tree fruit and nuts. A dozen or so state-of-the-art dairies. Friendly town with thriving old downtown, along with new shopping center south of town. An hour from two national parks, including the Giant Sequoia trees, two hours to central coast. Very flat land making bicycle riding easy, several bicycle or walking trails.
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| Life not so great - 7/23/2009
I've been living here for about 40 years and will soon be moving. It has bad air quality, high in welfare recipients, hot weather (sometimes 111 degrees). Over the last 20 years, this town has had an enormous influx of illegal aliens and migrant workers. Due to the demographic changes, the county Visalia is in, Tulare County, has had to develop programs to support them. My wife cannot find a job anymore because she is not bilingual. If you don't mind a liberal local government, allergies, hot weather, and being a white minority, then this is the place for you.[read more...]
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| Visalia - 4/21/2009
Please boycott Visalia,Ca.Fema and Homeland security abducted the town.Do not shop in that town or go to the Sierras from there.It use to be a nice place but no more,it tramples on it own people.They have a memorial of those who died for our freedoms,they will have a b17 flying into the airport,but the people who live there feel like the indian at the End of the Trail statue at Mooneys Grove Park.I saw the mayor onec he looked like a pimp..[read more...]
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| Treasure In The Valley - 2/10/2009
You really have to have lived in a big city to appreciate what Visalia has to offer. My wife and I moved here from Orange County 6 months ago and it has been a breath of fresh air. You can actually get around town, there is no traffic, people are friendly and are not out to get one over on you. We moved here to raise our children in a wholesome environment with natural beauty and outdoor activities. Mission accomplished.[read more...]
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| great town - 12/20/2008
Its funny to read the negative comments about visalia. You people must have lived no place else in your life. I grew up in LA and moved here 19 years ago with my wife (who grew up in exeter) and my 9 month old boy. Visalia has its faults like any town in the USA, but it has been a great town to raise our family. We own a home great house in a gated community that would cost a millon dollars anywhere else in CA. There is crime like any place else, but I personally have never seen and had any problems with crime in all the years here. Also the air quality has gotten better not worse. And with the ag. waste burning rules now in place its going to only get clearer. Like I said a great place to raise a family![read more...]
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| Nice area, but... - 9/19/2007
Seems like there are lots of gang-related crimes in this small city.[read more...]
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| Billy
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| Best place on earth - 3/25/2007
I have traveled to many cities in the United States and other countries and have come to find that Visalia is hands down my favorite city. When i was younger i used to think that Visalia was boring and didn't have much to do, but after having been to bigger cities i've found that it's pretty much the same everywhere you go. You might have a bigger selection of bars and clubs to go to in a bigger city, but that's pretty much it. It does get hot in the summer time, but i have lived there all my life so i'm used to it. We get sunshine about 9 months out of the year and not much rain in the winter. The people are a lot nicer compared to other places that i have been to. The location is perfect being that it is only a 2 to 3 hrs drive to L.A., San Francisco, Sacramento, and only about an hour drive to the national parks. This is a great place to raise a family and i'm sure this is where i'll settle down.[read more...]
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| Visalia's Bible Belt - 8/17/2006
nice town.. gets hot in summer, but is considered a "bible" belt town in a very conservative area[read more...]
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| Don't bother coming here it's too hot, there are n - 7/3/2006
The cost of living is reasonable, but there is nothing to do around here. In addition there are no jobs and the natives hate "outsiders". We moved here from Los Angeles 7 years ago and are finally moving out because we can't take it anymore!!![read more...]
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| Quality of Life - 7/2/2006
I,ve lived in Visalia 45 years. It used to be a very nice,clean,quite community. It is now a dirty,crowded and unattractive town. The air is filthy(you can't find on person who does't suffer from sinus problems.) I am even willing to leave family and friends to move out of here to retire.The crime rate is out of sight.[read more...]
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| BORING! - 2/2/2006
Although the town is growing and is affordable compared to the rest of the state, there is nothing to do here![read more...]
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| Armpit of CA, but CA armpit still sweeter than any - 1/16/2006
I grew up in Visalia and and as a teen always complained that there was nothing to do. I then moved to southern California and realized that unless your a bar and club hopper, the southland isnt all that much more entertaining. Visalia is Nestled up to the foothills of the Sequoia national park, a mear 30 min or so drive, even closer is Kaweah lake. The lake, though not the prettiest lake in the state, is still big enough for boating, jet skiing, water skiing and the works. Pismo is about 2 hours west, LA 2 to 4 hours south, depending on traffic. Theres lots of camping to be done in the mountains, Skiing just north of Fresno. Visalia has grown dramatically in the last 3 years, its population is about 110,000 now. The main shopping street has added a good mile of shops. There's 2 malls, more if you count the outlet in Tulare, a short 5 min drive. And anything you can't find in Visalia can be found 30 mins away in Fresno. The air polution is pretty bad, but right after it rains the mountains are stunning. You can't belive how close they are, unfortunally most the time, because of the air polution you can't see them at all. The people are generally friendly. The crime occur mainly on the northside of town. Stay on the southside and you'll generally feel safe, though you'll still want to lock your doors at night. I always said I'd never get sucked back into Visalia after I left, however, now that I've seen what little Southern California can offer, I'd rather go back and raise a family there. Housing has gone up with the rest of California, but it's still some of the cheapest housing California has to offer.[read more...]
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| Visalia - 8/3/2005
Visalia, CA is a very nice, rapidly growing city. Many new shopping centers and businesses are flooding in and the city is doing a good job of updating roads to accomodate growth.
Nice schools. Housing is expensive and in demand.[read more...]
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