Vista, CA, known as 'The Hidden Gem of North County,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in San Diego County, Vista is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like San Diego (40 miles) and Carlsbad (10 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Vista's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Vista is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Alta Vista Gardens, the historic Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, and the scenic Brengle Terrace Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Moonlight Amphitheatre to the bustling Vista Village, known for its shopping and dining. Vista's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Vista Strawberry Festival and the Winterfest highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Vista's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Palomar College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Vista is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Avo Playhouse and the Art Beat on Main Street are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Vista provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Vista’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the San Diego Padres (MLB) and the San Diego Wave FC (NWSL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Vista include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Vista Unified School District and Dr. Bronner's driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and trains, making it easy to navigate.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Vista, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 100,659 residents. In Vista, there are 5,369 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 74% of Vista residents are White, 4% Asian and 3% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Vista are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 37% of the population also speak Spanish. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Vista your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 27 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Vista, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Vista and in the areas around Vista is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 59/100, Vista is ranked #18,434 in the United States and #665 in California. Compared to the US average, this city has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. For each of the livability categories, we see that Vista ranks very well for crime (B-) and employment (B+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Vista. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (F).
Vista real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Vista. Median real estate prices in Vista come in at $503,500, which is 23% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Vista, the home price to income ratio is 6.9, which is 7.8% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Vista | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.9% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.0% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.6% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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