SperlingViews - Seaside, California

Housing in Seaside is more affordable than it was, mainly due to the bursting of the housing bubble. There are still problems, though, mainly because of the huge number of illegal aliens and the crime they bring. While it's not as bad as Salinas, the murder capital of Monterey County, there are problems small--speeding, littering, the squalor that some illegals live in--and big--drug sales and abuse, shootings (drive-by, on foot, or otherwise), and murder. Seaside has better weather than Marina, but Marina is safer, and probably a better choice. Even so, Seaside has spots good and bad. Pay attention to the neighborhood, look for registered sex offenders on Megan's Law sites, and don't live near an apartment houses. [read more...]

unless you went to grad school, or are already rich, don't expect to be able to get a nice house here. You'll be house-poor(not able to afford anything outside of your ridiculous mortgage.)[read more...]

Seaside used to be one of the most dangerous places in California back in the 1970's. These days it is a community that is growing and expanding with new shopping centers, improved business districts and new housing developments. The signature project was the Seaside Highlands (about 380 homes built out in 2005). Located adjacent to the old Fort Ord army base, there are plenty of acres available for expansion. Downside is the cost of housing if you are moving here. For one of the nicer, newer homes expect to pay over $1 Million. For a fixer upper in a so-so neighborhood expect to pay about $700K for a 2,000 sq foot house with no yard.[read more...]