Check out the 5 most affordable places in California
Living in the Bay Area puts the squeeze on many of us. Crazyhigh real estate prices mean that a lot of people never have the possibility of owning their own home. Renters constantly are worried about getting hit with huge rent spikes. Most of us put up with the stress caused by overcrowded schools, endless traffic snarls and kindergarten waiting lists.
All of that frustration eventually can lead to people leaving the state for good. Hello, Boise, Idaho. But California living doesn’t have to be an all- or-nothing proposition. In fact, the real estate website Clever has put together a list that can help you stay in California without losing your shirt. You may have to relocate, but you’ll still be close to all the natural wonders that the Golden State has to offer, from purple sand beaches and giant redwoods to snow-capped mountains.
Based on an analysis of census data, real estate prices, crime rates and other quality-of-life factors, the top choices (which have not been ranked) are Bakersfield, Clovis, Sacramento, Oxnard and Fontana. It’s a must- see list for those fleeing the Bay Area for cheaper digs.
Bakersfield gets props for its affordable housing. The median home price is about $242,000, according to the report, and the population of the city is around 380,000. Location is definitely part of its appeal. Nestled smack in the middle of the state, Bakersfield is far enough from the beach to be budget-friendly, as the report notes, but close enough for a day trip to the ocean. Outdoorsy folks also will enjoy being surrounded by national forests.
Clovis is notable because of its low crime rate and noted school system, both of which make the city popular with young families. The city has a population of around 110,000, and the median home value is $342,800, according to the report. For the record, Clovis is also home to the largest water park in the state, the Wild Water Adventure Park. It also gets a bonus for being only a few hours from the beach.
If small cities aren’t your style, there’s always Sacramento. The city has a population of more than half a million but a me
dian home value of just $326,900, Clever says. Living in the state capital also means there are lots of activities within easy reach, from historic landmarks to big-time sports and arts events. The food scene also is rising in acclaim.
Another key perk about living in Sacramento is the abundance of jobs in the state government as well as the private sector, as Clever reports.
Don’t forget that it’s relatively close to everything from Lake Tahoe and San Francisco to Napa.
Of course, for some people, leaving behind the Bay Area’s amazing views of the water seems unthinkable. In that case, there’s always Oxnard, where you can live affordably on the beach. About an hour north of Los Angeles and an hour south of Santa Barbara, the city has a relatively reasonable median home value of $504,000, according to the report.
Also in the Los Angeles area, you could look into Fontana, which has a population of about 210,000 and a median home value of $391,200. The city gets points for its low crime rate and bounty of jobs related to the health care industry. Plus it’s just an hourlong trip for a day at Newport Beach. Don’t forget the sunblock.