Merced, CA Reviews


44 Reviews



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United States / California / Merced Metro Area / Merced County / Merced / Zip Codes
What BestPlaces Users Say about Merced

Merced is a city located in central California, known for its agricultural industry and proximity to Yosemite National Park. It has a population of approximately 83,000 people and is home to the University of California, Merced. The following are excerpts from various user reviews on bestplaces.net, offering insights into living in Merced.

Summary: Many users on bestplaces.net have mixed opinions about living in Merced, California. Some appreciate its affordable cost of living and close-knit community, while others mention concerns about safety and the lack of job opportunities. Overall, it seems that Merced has a tight-knit community and affordable living, but it may not be the ideal place for those seeking job opportunities or a bustling city life.

Review 1: "I have lived in Merced for over 30 years and it has been a great place to raise a family. The cost of living is affordable and the people are friendly. However, job opportunities can be limited and the city does have some safety concerns. Overall, I am happy with my decision to make Merced my home." - Nancy R.

Review 2: "Merced has a strong sense of community and there are many local events and festivals to enjoy. The housing market is also affordable, which is a plus. However, the lack of job opportunities and limited options for entertainment can make it feel like a small town." - Mark B.

Review 3: "I moved to Merced for the affordable housing and found that the community is very welcoming. However, I have noticed an increase in crime and safety concerns in recent years. It's something to consider before moving here." - Sarah D.

Review 4: "I have lived in Merced for most of my life and I love it. The cost of living is low and it's a great place to raise a family. But it may not be the best option for young professionals looking for job opportunities." - Brian G.

 based on 44 Reviews
Get to know Merced with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Merced
I would rather live almost any place else. - 2/7/2009
Merced was marginally bearable in a good economy. Now, it is just miserable! I moved here a couple years ago for school and it is true, you do have to travel 1-2 hours out to find ANY kind of activity worth doing. I tried to get involved with community organizations to make a positive impact in my temporarily chosen community, but they bicker and fight EVERYTHING here to the point that nothing gets accomplished. It is absolutely ridiculous. They can have Read More
carol | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 22   Disagree 12

Start Your Review of Merced

Merced- ewwww - 2/6/2009
The 3 things that make me come to this website to find a new place to live are: Education, air quality and crime (gangs).

I dont recommend this place to anyone. I am actively looking for work that will take my family out, and I use your website to size up the town before I apply for the job :) Thank you for this database!

You dont want to raise kids Read More
TBO | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 27   Disagree 24
No Jobs - 11/3/2008
My father has been on unemployment for months, most of our income is from welfare and unemployment. Recently, he went through a job program at the welfare office- How to make a resume, fill out an application, act/speak during an interview...

At the end of the program he had to spend 10 days out around town filling out applications and handing in resumes, he had to get 10 a day.
Out of those hundred applications/resumes he got 0 calls.

I have recently started looking for a job, but even with the "Christmas rush" that's supposed to be coming up, I don't think I'll be able to find one. Businesses are shutting down left and right, not just the little ones, chain stores too - Mervyn's, Linens and Things- I don't know what we're gonna do but Merced needs something to revamp it's economy, we're falling Read More
Lindsey | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 15   Disagree 21
2 hours away from SF, Sierras, Monterey, Sac, San - 6/14/2007
Great place to live, but it's overpriced real estate market will keep people Read More
Mark | El Nido, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 19   Disagree 24
Stay away at all possible costs... - 9/8/2006
I moved to Merced(Modead), California from Phoenix a few years ago and have hated every minute of life here. I will give a few opinions if, god forbid, you are considering moving here.

1. City is methamphentamine capital for the central valley.
2. Quite a lot of traffic congestion.
3. VERY poor shopping opportunities, and I mean virtually NO good stores.
4. Entire town smells bad.
5. VERY, VERY, VERY bad job opportunities. ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH SKILLS AND/OR HIGHER EDUCATION. Only jobs around here are retail, food service, and labor.
6. If you want something to do, you pretty much have to drive at least 45 minutes to Fresno or Modesto, so you might as well live there.
7. Housing prices are RIDICULOUS. 2600 sq/ft = about $400,000+
8. Need an apartment? Wont spend less than $500/month unless you live on bad side of town.
9. There is a bad side of town, which is half the city.
10. Lots of gang activity.
11. Read More
none | Merced, CA | Reply | 2 Replies
Agree 104   Disagree 58
no good - 9/3/2006
i have lived here all my life and it wasn't bad, but now its ridiculous. completely overpopulated without being built to handle the growth. finally getting some new stores but horrible planning, and traffic is beyond unbearable. don't move here unless you absolutly have to. and even then be prepared to be Read More
selena | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 12   Disagree 14
Beware of New homes - 7/25/2006
the builders in Merced and surronding areas are in such a hurry to build the homes quickly they are using help which feel that they may drink in the afternoon while still building. Some have built the homes over old dairy manure pits, have tried to use moldy insulation and hire anyone even if they don't understand what it is that needs to be done. Many find they have paid MORE than the home is worth! If you really want to move here, buy one of the older Read More
Sally  | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 22   Disagree 10
just to much - 6/8/2006
I like living in california for the fact that everything is so close. you go one direction in an hour your in the mountians and you go another in the same ammount of time your at the beach. the problem is the cost of liveing, I drive truck for a liveing and its a pretty pay the problem is with the ammount of money i make i dont feel like i should still half to sqeak by and with how much everything cost here and u have a tax for everything i just dont want to live here Read More
tim | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 13   Disagree 15
Getting Too Big - 5/16/2006
Having grown up here, we can't wait to leave. It has gotten too big. Too many people, too many cars, too many sirens, etc. It has turned into a city. We are not city folk, but small town folk. We also don't want our child to grow up being a Read More
Kris | Merced, CA | Reply | 1 Reply
Agree 20   Disagree 13
no doctors - 12/27/2005
I moved here from a mountain town to be close to a hospital because of my termal illness. If I do not get out here quick these quacks are going to kill me Read More
robert | Merced, CA | Reply | No Replies
Agree 11   Disagree 15
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