Reviews & Comments
Visalia, CA
Northeast, NW, SW, Downtown nicest parts -
11/16/2017So Visalia's NE, NW, SW, and Downtown are nice areas.
The worst part of town is north of Houston between Dinuba BLVD and Ben Maddox. Here you will see lots of uncared for homes, however there are some nice streets in there.
Throughout the rest of town you have your good and your bad, but nothing terrible.
I came here for a job three years ago and live next to St. Mary's Church in downtown. I enjoy the area as an upper middle class Caucasian person. There is no traffic, and everything is literally within ten minutes. My day seems so much longer after having moved here. We have all the big box stores and hospitals as well, it is the hub of the valley despite it's smaller population. People drive rudely but it's California. It is not over policed and they do a good job of responding to real crime. I would highly recommend living here.
The diversity throughout town is mostly white and latino, with both spread throughout and some Filipino people. The people are an absolute charm, I can talk to random people everywhere, and they've got that California vibe with Southern Hospitality.
There are some tweekers and homeless throughout town, but it's nothing you don't see anywhere else in California. The city's cleanliness is below average for this but only where the homeless hide out at, but downtown is pristine and overall I'd say they do a marvelous job with city services.
Visalia, CA
Best town in the Valley -
4/29/2016Visalia is wonderful. I moved here a year ago and nothing but friendly folks. Shopping and living is affordable. 100+ restaurants and bars probably within 1 square mile in downtown. Southwest and Northwest Northeast and downtown are "nice" areas. Traffic is funny, I ride my bike to work and see like 30-40 cars my whole way there, around 7:30 AM. People do drive rudely but it's California so I'm used to that. Nothing but kindness though in relationships with people. I've made friends with neighbors, and it's easy to strike up a pointless conversation with just about anyone as long as you have the outgoing personality. Police are pleasant, they respond to real crime and don't over police. Parks are beautiful and well maintained. A city wide network of bike trails exists and lots of hiking in the area. 3 hours from the beach, LA, sequoias, and bay area. Summer is horrid but it only lasts 2 months, not like the 5 month long Arizona summers. Area is diverse with not too much of anyone. I would suggest living in Visalia if you work in Visalia, it's a fantastic town. Compared to Fresno and other cities in the valley it's definitely the best. If it was a town in a lame state it would be on the map, but since it's in good old cali it's a no namer.
San Bernardino, CA
San Bernarino Northwest is beautiful and Safe -
5/14/2015If you're seriously considering moving to the San Bernardino area, don't fret based upon these other people's comments. The northwest side of San Bernardino near the University, and up towards the Casino on the northeast side, are nice upscale areas. They are well kept with low crime with large new houses and well planned apartment complexes.
Once you get south of the 210 it gets a little more dodgy as you keep going south, but I feel very comfortable with my (white) family going to places like Home Depot and other stores near the mall, around E street and 3rd. There are some very dodgy areas around Baseline and Waterman, but I still go to the 99 cent store there, and I think it's way nicer than the bad parts of LA. There is very little haggling, the city despite it's problems arrests hagglers and enforces codes very actively.
Southern California is a beautiful place, with established infrastructure and a wealth of jobs. Whoever hates had a bad personal experience, I love my neighborhood, and love that San Bernardino northwest has active springs, creeks, newer facilities, and is safe.