Listen to this note:
Not everything is hunky dory, however, Redwood City residents have a positive opinion about the quality of life in the city and the services it offers.
This according to the National Community Survey (NCS), developed by the Polco National Research Center in collaboration with the International City and County Management Association (ICMA), which focuses on residents' perceptions and experiences, contributing to the city's development of the annual budget and service recommendations.
“It's great to see that the majority of residents give high ratings to their overall quality of life in Redwood City,” said City Manager Melissa Stevenson Díaz.
“We strive to provide exceptional service and survey feedback helps us understand what is going well and what could be better. For the first time, we can compare local responses with those of high-performing cities across the country,” he added.
The NCS focuses on Redwood City's livability by categorizing survey questions into 10 major facets of community livability, including: community design; economy; Health & Wellness; education, art and culture; inclusivity and commitment; Health & Wellness; mobility; natural environment; parks and leisure; and security.
In survey research, residents have identified these facets as the most impactful for their quality of life. Included with the survey results are comparative ratings of similar services from 500 other U.S. communities.
Among the aspects most highlighted by residents is security, where they have expressed high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the services in the area:
- 91 percent satisfaction with fire services
- 82 percent satisfaction with emergency medical services
- 71 percent satisfaction with police services
- 75 percent satisfaction with fire prevention/education services
In turn, the survey highlighted Redwood City's economic strengths, including its vibrant downtown area and overall economic health, and identified areas of opportunity, such as addressing the cost of living and improving shopping opportunities.
- 71 percent satisfaction with the general quality of businesses and services
- 70 percent satisfaction with the vitality of the city center (higher than the national benchmark)
- 38 percent satisfaction with purchasing opportunities
- 17 percent satisfaction with the cost of living
In terms of improving community design: Redwood City received praise for its well-designed neighborhoods and public spaces, with areas of opportunity related to housing and growth.
- 75 percent satisfaction with their neighborhood as a good place to live
- 63 percent satisfaction with public places where people want to spend time
- 42 percent satisfaction with variety of housing options
- 16 percent satisfaction with the availability of quality affordable housing
Elsewhere, residents praised Redwood City's inclusivity and engagement, highlighting the city's welcoming atmosphere and diverse community. Seven in ten residents gave excellent or good ratings for: valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds, attraction to people from diverse backgrounds, community openness and acceptance toward people from diverse backgrounds, and as a place to raise children.
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