Reviews & Comments
Monterey, CA
WORTH IT? -
5/23/2010I'VE LIVED IN THE MONTEREY AREA FOR ABOUT 14 YEARS. IT IS UNDENIABLY A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, NOT QUITE AS UNIQUE AS LOCAL BOOSTERS SAY IT IS, BUT IT DOES HAVE AN EXCELLENT VIBE. BUT THE COSTS OF LIVING, IN PARTICULAR HOUSING, MAKE IT A DIFFICULT PLACE TO MOVE TO, OR TO STAY IN BEYOND ONE'S WORKING YEARS. IN FACT, MOST OF OUR PROFESSIONALS NOW SEEK AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUTLYING AREAS, INCLUDING SALINAS, WHICH I WOULD ADD HAS A UNFORTUNATE AND OVERDRAMATIZED POOR REPUTATION (CRIME.) EVEN WITH THE COLLAPSE OF THE HOUSING BUBBLE, REAL ESTATE IS BARELY AFFORDABLE UNLESS ONE CAN COMPETE WITH SYNDICATES AT FORECLOSURE SALES.
MONTEREY, WITH ITS FELLOW PENINSULA TOWNS OF PACIFIC GROVE, PEBBLE BEACH AND CARMEL (ALSO SEASIDE - BUT MONTEREY TYPES KIND OF LOOK DOWN ON SEASIDERS) PROVIDE AN EXTREMELY SAFE AND QUIET LIVING STYLE. HOWEVER, IT IS CLOSE ENOUGH (TWO HOUR DRIVE OR 20 MINUTE FLIGHT) TO THE MOST COSMOPOLITAN CITY ON THE WEST COAST, SAN FRANCISCO. SO, LIVING IN MONTEREY ALLOWS ONE TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS - QUIET IN RESIDENCE, EXCITING IN COMMUNITY.