Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove is a largely residential, beautiful oceanside community firmly gripped in the lower middle-class. It is nestled between Monterey and Del Monte Forest (home to Pebble Beach) and the Pacific Ocean, which so happens so surround it more than 180 degrees. Demographically speaking, the beachside community hosts a total population of just over 15,000, most of which is of white ethnicity and tend to lean democratically in popular political polls. It is also a rather foggy neighborhood, but enjoys a modest Mediterranean climate throughout the year.

The city’s residential terrain is rather flat, mostly safe and spans four square miles. It consists of rather unpolished suburban quarters. As you drive through the community, you’ll notice most streets are gritty and unkempt with some streets leading off to dusty roads with a forestry backdrop. Pacific Grove also runs abundant with old, commonly one-story, Victorian homes plotted on small, square properties. If you’re looking to rent, you’ll likely pay in the vicinity of $1,300/month. For perspective residents, estimated median house prices are around $522,000, while the typical resident rakes in an estimated $71,000 in annual income.

Pacific Grove offers dozens of beautiful oceanside attractions. Its most notable is that of Asilomar State Beach. The somewhat rocky coastline provides views of the surf, sand and adjacent woodlands. Moreover, Big Sur is located just 30 miles south and is promoted as one of the best surfing communities along the California coast. One of the city’s most historic landmarks is the Point Pinos Lighthouse. The tower represents the oldest lighthouse in California and continues to operate to this day. For other recreational activities, Spanish Bay Resort Golf Course lies just south of the city’s limits. It is considered part of the Pebble Beach resorts and offers unparalleled oceanside golfing. Just don’t drive your ball off course, or you’ll loose it in the drink (otherwise known as the Pacific Ocean).

Compared to Carmel, Pacific Grove is far more affordable. The average home around here goes for around $600K maybe. Of course, that is not to say that there aren't some huge multi-million dollar mansions by the sea. There definitely are.

Rather, it is to say that slightly inland, home prices drop to far more reasonable levels. Largely this is because these are older homes (it is a commonly held belief that the highest percentage of Victorian homes is located here) and because of its proximity to Monterey.

If you are looking to rent, you can find studios for around $700 in this area and even, occasionally, homes right by the ocean for just $1300 for a two bedroom.

One of the real draws of Pacific Grove is that it is stop on the annual migration of the Monarch butterflies. So if you happen to be there durring the right time of year you can catch a swarm of monarches as they take a little pit stop. Really amazing.

Even beyond this, however, are the schools in Pacific Grove, which are outstanding as well--making it one of the relative rarities in California, a neighborhood that is both affordable and that has outstanding schools.