Why Live in Northwest Santa Maria
Northwest Santa Maria, located in California's Central Coast, is a neighborhood surrounded by scenic foothills and the Santa Maria Valley. This area is popular among outdoor enthusiasts, offering a 6-mile trail and access to Santa Maria's largest park, Preisker Park. Spanning 40 acres, Preisker Park features open fields, disc golf, walking paths, and playgrounds, including a replica of the Santa Maria ship. The Santa Maria Levee Trail along the northern border provides valley views, while Grogan Park and North Preisker Ranch Park offer additional recreational spaces with walking paths and sports courts. Athletes frequent Atkinson Park and Oakley Park for their sporting facilities, and the under-construction Veteran Memorial Park will soon feature upgraded play equipment and a commemorative plaza.
Residential streets in Northwest Santa Maria are organized in a grid pattern with sidewalks suitable for jogging and biking. Homes range from midcentury to early 2000s constructions, featuring various exterior materials like board and batten, brick facades, and paneling. The neighborhood includes ranch-style homes, contemporary dwellings, and manufactured homes in communities like Rancho Buena Vista Mobile Estates and Casa Grande Mobile Estates, a 55-plus community.
Shoppers can visit Walmart Neighborhood Market and Vallarta Supermarkets for groceries and home supplies. Main Street and Highway 135 host numerous storefronts and dining options, including the popular Shaw's Steakhouse known for Santa Maria-style barbecue. Taco trucks are also a common sight in the area. For entertainment, Boomers Park near Preisker Park offers arcade games and mini-golf.
Northwest Santa Maria is safer than the national average, making it a practical choice for families. The neighborhood is well-connected with Highway 135 and Route 101, and public transit options include Santa Maria Area Transit and Santa Maria Regional Transit. The Santa Maria Public Airport is about 5 miles south, and Dignity Health's Marian Regional Medical Center is located on Main Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest Santa Maria a good place to live?
Northwest Santa Maria is a good place to live. Northwest Santa Maria is considered somewhat walkable and bikeable. Northwest Santa Maria has 7 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 16.6 people per acre and a median age of 30. The average household income is $90,624 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 9.6% of residents. A majority of residents in Northwest Santa Maria are home owners, with 41.3% of residents renting and 58.7% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Northwest Santa Maria can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Northwest Santa Maria neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Northwest Santa Maria?
The median home price in Northwest Santa Maria is $315,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $63,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,630 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $70K a year to afford the median home price in Northwest Santa Maria. The average household income in Northwest Santa Maria is $91K.
What are the best public schools in Northwest Santa Maria?
The best public schools that serve Northwest Santa Maria are:
What are the best private schools in Northwest Santa Maria?
The best private schools that serve Northwest Santa Maria are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Northwest Santa Maria, Santa Maria, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Northwest Santa Maria, Santa Maria, CA?
Home Trends in Northwest Santa Maria, CA
On average, homes in Northwest Santa Maria, Santa Maria sell after 105 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Northwest Santa Maria, Santa Maria over the last 12 months is $398,500, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$398,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$225,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$253,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$95,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$277
Number of Homes for Sale
21
Last 12 months Home Sales
174
Median List Price
$315,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%