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Have you wondered what is in the Central Valley region? Central Valley is an up-and-coming neighborhood with a diverse population, a strong sense of community, less traffic, and an affordable cost of living.
The area has abundant entertaining activities that could contribute to a fun environment. Living in the Central Valley, CA area allows you to enjoy outdoor activities, festivals, and other leisure diversions, specifically within the city limits. Also, it offers a number of vibrant communities with affordable rates compared to the northern and southern counterparts of Central Valley.
Living in Central Valley, California will amaze you with its abundance of food and wine. The entire region is known for its agricultural productivity, with lots of vineyards, orchards, and farms providing fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the United States. Aside from its rich resources, it is home to famous artistic crafts such as museums, galleries, live entertainment, events, and attractions.
Here are some of the things you should know about the housing market in Central Valley, CA.
The Benefits of Living in Central Valley, California
Unlike other states in California, such as San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, Central Valley has a low cost of living. Thus, owning a home in this region is more affordable, especially for starting families who have a limited budget.
Surprisingly, basic amenities such as groceries, entertainment, and prices of goods are relatively inexpensive as in other regions in California. Aside from the fact that this region has affordable goods and services, which is the top benefit of living in the Central Valley, these are other reasons and benefits why living in the Central Valley, CA is a great idea!
Preferred by California Supermarkets for Local Produce
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The area’s primary industry is agriculture. Thus, you can expect quality, fresh, and well-taken care of crops such as almonds, avocados, tomatoes, citrus, plums, apricots, and many other delicious fruits, nuts, and veggies that originated from here. Lettuce, grapes, and lemons are also among the major crops grown in this region.
Small Town Charm
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Central Valley is considered a small but charming community as it has streets filled with urban vibes and a mix of a neighborhood feel at the same time.
You can enjoy the city’s enthusiastic atmosphere while feeling the ambiance of a home. Residents know each other as they see each other at community events and daily errands.
Proximity to Some of California's Greatest Natural Attractions
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The geographical location of Central Valley makes it near some of the most fantastic natural attractions, such as the famous State Capitol, Burney Falls, and the giant redwoods. You can enjoy river rafting, gold rush towns, and huge ancient trees, which could take you on exciting adventures during your free days.
Best Place to Live in Central Valley, California
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There is no doubt that the vibrant state of California is one of the most expensive places in the United States. However, given that the region is home to many affordable houses, it is easy to find towns in the Central Valley, California, that will fit your budget range. In addition, the area has many safe communities, ideal for raising a family.
Residents will also have things to do since there are many places you can visit that are perfect for everyone, from young singles to retirees.
Several Central Valley homes are way cheaper compared to regions in the main cities of California. Still, they offer the same quality of life and a strong sense of community.
If you want to be a part of the Golden State without breaking the bank, just looking to settle in a quiet environment, but still prefer to be relatively close to big cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, take a look at this list of charming neighborhoods in Central Valley, CA to explore:
Madera
Madera’s geographical location is about 20 minutes northwest of Fresno. Median homes in this city are just over $300k, and the cost of living is almost one-third lower than the rest of California, which aligns with how people describe the entire housing market in Central Valley, CA: affordable. It is also a safe environment, as statistics show that the crime rates are also below the state average.
Area Information:
| Area Information: | |
|---|---|
| Population | 65,860 |
| Cost of Living | 30% Lower than Average in California |
| Median Home Price | $309,000 |
Fresno
Fresno is California’s 5th largest city, which offers an outstanding life balance. You can easily find a home in this area for under $300,000. With the cost of living in this region, it can still provide the urbanity that California is known for.
The area is currently undergoing renovations to transform into a premium environment offering the feel of a big city. You can also find amenities in Fresno that are unavailable in other cities, such as a minor league baseball team, a beautiful Japanese garden, and the Fresno Art Museum, making it one of the best cities in Central Valley, California.
Area Information:
| Area Information: | |
|---|---|
| Population | 542,107 |
| Cost of Living | 28% Lower than Average in California |
| Median Home Price | $316,000 |
Modesto
Modesto is situated in the northern part of the Central Valley, and it only takes about 1.5 hours drive from San Francisco and San Jose to reach the city. In this area, homes cost cheaper compared to those in the Bay Area. The neighborhood offers a friendly community with diverse food restaurants and food chains with exquisite cuisines.
Area Information:
| Area Information: | |
|---|---|
| Population | 218,464 |
| Cost of Living | 26% Lower than Average in California |
| Median Home Price | $389,000 |
Visalia
Visalia is right in the heart of Central Valley, CA, located between Fresno and Bakersfield. It offers a number of peaceful residential communities throughout the city. Visalia’s entire area promotes affordability because homes here cost only around $300k.
It is also possible to score a 2-3 bedroom house under $250k, which is quite an impossible price range when making a house purchase in California, making it one of the best cities in Central California for people looking for a cheap place to live.
Area Information:
| Area Information: | |
|---|---|
| Population | 134,605 |
| Cost of Living | 21% Lower than Average in California |
| Median Home Price | $307,000 |
The key metrics that were used to create the lists of the best places to live in Central Valley, California are the affordability and accessibility of house locations, proximity to big cities, crime rates, basic amenities, and the quality of schools. These are the necessary factors to live an extraordinary life in these cities for single professionals, small families, and retirees.
Wrap Up
Central Valley California has been an underrated place to live in the past, but it is finally getting the recognition it deserves. With the current population of Central Valley California, the growth is close from hand reach.
If you are interested in living in the Central Valley, California, this guide will familiarize you with the city and visualize your future life in your chosen district! Please feel free to contact us at 209-650-0525. You can follow me on my social media platforms below:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is in the Central Valley?
Central Valley, California offers affordable city rates, entertaining activities, abundant crops such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, museums, galleries, and other tourist attractions.
What cities are in the Central Valley?
The cities in the Central Valley area, which all promote its low-cost housing market and affordable living costs, are Madera, Fresno, Modesto, and Visalia.
Are there any drawbacks to living in the Central Valley?
There are some disadvantages to living in Central valley, and a few of these reasons narrow down to the weather. Specifically, the supposedly low temperature during winter does not align with its season, and there are still concerns over water supply in this area.
What is the cost of living in the Central Valley compared to other regions of California?
Central Valley’s cost of living can be described as affordable because, in comparison with the rest of the state of California, it is 41% higher than the national average. Many new residents were surprised by Central Valley because of its low cost of real estate and the overall favorable cost of living.
Why is the Central Valley an excellent place for families?
Aside from the low cost of living in the area where families can maximize their financial capabilities, even those with limited budgets, the number of places to go and activities to do aligns with different interests and hobbies.
