Salinas ranked No. 3 in top ten “Coziest Cities in America” list

When we asked people to describe Salinas in one word, here’s a sampling of what we heard.

“Agriculture,” said Dan Mcdonnald.

“A little dangerous,” said Antonio Vela.

“Quaint, safe, said Angela Savage.

“This is God’s country,” said Salvador Armendariz.

“Unpredictable because you don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Ian Deleon. “Even though you may think you’re in the safest part of town there’s no safe part of town.”

Country Living magazine published a list that described Salinas as charming with a mild climate and ranked it as third coziest city in America.

“I don’t know if I would classify it as cozy,” said Mcdonnald.

“Controversial because a lot of talk is all about gangstas around here,” said Vela. “So it just wouldn’t fit in, cozy.”

To determine a city’s coziness, researchers looked at how many places a town has that makes them all warm and fuzzy, which include restaurants, coffee shops, museums, specialty stores and bakeries.

“Helps us to share in culture,” said Blue Aces Bakeshoppe owner Adriana Jimenez. “Helps to just warm the soul, makes the heart happy.”

Salinas director of community development, Megan Hunter, says landing on the list is an honor and the city is trying to re-brand itself as a warmer, friendlier place with family values.

“I think it’s a really exciting time for what this area has to offer,” said Hunter.

The grand vision includes revamping areas of downtown and east Salinas, reshaping the economy along with building more housing and retail shops, to create a more livable and healthy environment.

“It’s important to really get out the positive narratives so that people understand what Salinas is all about,” said Hunter.

Salinas is also working on a new website.

Asheville, North Carolina got the No. 1 spot for the coziest place in America.

Link to the story: http://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/g3025/2016-coziest-cities-in-america/