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Looking for Housing in Monterey

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
Howdy y'all! I just found out I got picked up for lat transfer and will be going to NPS in the next few months. Most of the Monterey threads are a few years old and I was wondering what the good areas to live in are now? The research I've done show some good 3 beds, 1+ baths houses and condos for ~$2700; is this indicative of the market as a whole? Do you have any recommendations for realtors?

I appreciate the help. If anyone is in Monterey or going to be there shortly, I'm happy to repay the kindness with copious drinks.
 

BigRed389

Registered User
None
If single, near Cannery Row, Downtown Monterey, Pacific Grove, then Carmel. In that order. And watch out for the DLI students.

If married, depends if you still want to go drinking with your buds or you want more of a family deal.

Stay out of Salinas and Seaside. Marina's not great either but better than both.
 

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
What are you lat xfering into?

My guess is EDO... they seem to send folks to Monterey ASAP upon picking up...

Correct, just got picked up for EDO in the November board. Coming from overseas, so I'm trying to tighten my search prior to arrival as I assume I'll have very little time to find housing.

EDIT: Also, what is the child care situation like out there? My daughter may be coming to visit from time-to-time so I may need to have something on stand-by.
 

PenguinGal

Can Do!
Contributor
Though a few years out now, the base housing is actually pretty nice. We were in the older flat rate housing that I am 99% sure no longer exists. However the upgraded housing was decent and the CDC was in the neighborhood.

As to childcare, the CDC was surprisingly available when we had our PenguinBoy there. He started at 5 months old and we only had to find alternative care for about a week. That said, alternative care is actually pretty easy to find there. There are a LOT of spouses who aren't working while in Monterey (not a lot of employment opportunities). I knew several spouses that were able and willing to watch my son during the day until the CDC slot opened. If it isn't full time care during your entire time at NPS you shouldn't have a problem finding someone to watch her when you aren't in class/research.
 

Spekkio

He bowls overhand.
Howdy y'all! I just found out I got picked up for lat transfer and will be going to NPS in the next few months. Most of the Monterey threads are a few years old and I was wondering what the good areas to live in are now? The research I've done show some good 3 beds, 1+ baths houses and condos for ~$2700; is this indicative of the market as a whole? Do you have any recommendations for realtors?
Yes, the market is incredibly steep in the area for not a lot of property. I had some sticker shock going out there, but the weather is nice 95% of the time so you'll spend most of your rec time out of the house. When all you are doing at home is eating dinner, loving your wife, and sleeping, you don't really need a lot of space.

If you are child-less, live within walking distance of the bars in Monterey or bars/beaches in Carmel.

If you have kids and school is an issue, you want to live in Pacific Grove. However, inventory is low and the area is probably going to run you a couple hundred above BAH. Carmel will probably be out of your price range, but that would be the second best place to live for both entertainment and schools. Marina is your best bet if you can't find or afford a place in PG and you are looking for a more spacious house and halfway decent schools.

I lived in Seaside because I found a nice house and the immediate area looked nice enough. Fast forward to summer and I'd hear gunshots at least once a week when the gang violence picked up. Would not recommend.
 

BigRed389

Registered User
None
Correct, just got picked up for EDO in the November board. Coming from overseas, so I'm trying to tighten my search prior to arrival as I assume I'll have very little time to find housing.

EDIT: Also, what is the child care situation like out there? My daughter may be coming to visit from time-to-time so I may need to have something on stand-by.

Timing is key.
If you're arriving when there's high turnover (ie summer) and you're able to take some time to look, you can find some very good deals well under BAH.

Arrive early if you can. That command won't give you anything to do if classes aren't in session.

This is one of those tours where your co-workers are going to be a lot more sociable outside of work.
Friends that ended up living beyond walking distance of the social scene generally regretted it.
 

Smirnoff

Member
pilot
I am in Monterey now. Last quarter. Where you should live around here, like anywhere, depends on what you value and if you are single or married with children. If single, I have heard of some pretty decent condos for rent downtown near Cannery Row (bars and breweries) or even in Pacific Grove (probably the niciest area to live in, good schools). If you value money you may want to look up in Marina for a decent townhouse. Downside, you are about 15 car ride to school and the area is up and coming. If you value your time like I do, live in La Mesa base housing. 5 minute bike ride to work, sweet. 10 min bike ride to the coastal bike trail and access to downtown. Housing is pretty standard (takes entire BAH check appox $3400 for me), but they have a elementary school in the neighborhood and a teen center that plans all types of events for older kids. You could also live in Ft Ord housing, much of the same, however you are about 10 min drive from everything that matters and traffic is hit and miss. Don't bother looking in Seaside or Salinas, have you seen Gangland? To be honest I didn't spend a lot of time searching for housing so there may be some deals to be had. I did my due diligence online prior to driving down and found I could not remain within by BAH with the added stress of utilities and what not and be close to school, so I took the easy way as I only planned to be here 18 mos, now I am going to Bahrain unaccompanied for a year so my family gets to stay one more year in some the most expensive housing the Navy has to offer. Enjoy it. See you in the Trident.
 

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
I am in Monterey now. Last quarter. Where you should live around here, like anywhere, depends on what you value and if you are single or married with children. If single, I have heard of some pretty decent condos for rent downtown near Cannery Row (bars and breweries) or even in Pacific Grove (probably the niciest area to live in, good schools). If you value money you may want to look up in Marina for a decent townhouse. Downside, you are about 15 car ride to school and the area is up and coming. If you value your time like I do, live in La Mesa base housing. 5 minute bike ride to work, sweet. 10 min bike ride to the coastal bike trail and access to downtown. Housing is pretty standard (takes entire BAH check appox $3400 for me), but they have a elementary school in the neighborhood and a teen center that plans all types of events for older kids. You could also live in Ft Ord housing, much of the same, however you are about 10 min drive from everything that matters and traffic is hit and miss. Don't bother looking in Seaside or Salinas, have you seen Gangland? To be honest I didn't spend a lot of time searching for housing so there may be some deals to be had. I did my due diligence online prior to driving down and found I could not remain within by BAH with the added stress of utilities and what not and be close to school, so I took the easy way as I only planned to be here 18 mos, now I am going to Bahrain unaccompanied for a year so my family gets to stay one more year in some the most expensive housing the Navy has to offer. Enjoy it. See you in the Trident.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure base housing will be available to me since I will be unaccompanied. I'm finding a lot of stuff open in Seaside for cheap, but that makes sense, it being gangland and all.
 

BigRed389

Registered User
None
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure base housing will be available to me since I will be unaccompanied. I'm finding a lot of stuff open in Seaside for cheap, but that makes sense, it being gangland and all.

Timing unfortunately is everything. If your apartment hunt coincides with major graduation months (Dec/Jan/May/June) you will find a surprising number of awesome places under BAH. Rental turnover is high obviously.

I moved in December and found a place where I paid $1300 and had a place walking distance to Cannery row with a covered garage and a balcony overlooking the bay.
 

Smirnoff

Member
pilot
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure base housing will be available to me since I will be unaccompanied. I'm finding a lot of stuff open in Seaside for cheap, but that makes sense, it being gangland and all.

Unaccompanied?!? I am assuming that is by choice or your detailor is a sick individual.
 

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
Timing unfortunately is everything. If your apartment hunt coincides with major graduation months (Dec/Jan/May/June) you will find a surprising number of awesome places under BAH. Rental turnover is high obviously.

I moved in December and found a place where I paid $1300 and had a place walking distance to Cannery row with a covered garage and a balcony overlooking the bay.

Good to know. I'll be getting there in early-mid June. So I'm hoping there'll be more available the closer I get to my arrival. And Smirnoff, yeah, it's by choice.
 
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