Many parts of California are considered highly desirable places to live because of the mild weather, proximity to the Pacific ocean, career opportunities (especially in the technology sector), and a progressive culture.
If you’re considering relocating to California or looking for a new community that might be a better match to your personality and your family’s desired lifestyle, then there are dozens of vibrant cities from which to choose — and that’s not even counting the many charming small towns and villages scattered throughout the state! One way to gauge the desirability of different California communities is to see how reputable research organizations rank them, such as Gallup and U.S News & World Report.
In a series of reports, entitled Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being, seven California communities earned a spot among the top-25 (out of 189) in the country. In most cases, the communities in the report are comprised of clusters of cities, including the following: Santa Cruz–Watsonville (#3), San Luis Obispo–Paso Robles–Arroyo Grande (#7), Santa Maria–Santa Barbara (#12), Santa Rosa (#17), Salinas (#19), San Diego–Carlsbad (#22), and Visalia–Porterville (#25). Several other populated areas in California which earned a top-50 ranking in the report include San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward (#31), Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura (#33), and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara (#39). The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim area trailed closely behind the others with a ranking of #53.
These 2016 “Community Well-Being Rankings” were based on the results of more than 350,000 telephone interviews with adults throughout the country, conducted between January 2, 2015 and December 30, 2016. The Gallup-Healthways report “analyzes how [a state of] well-being varies by community, as well as who leads and lags across the five elements of well-being: purpose, social, financial, community and physical.” The results of the survey provide insights into not only the personal and financial wellbeing of people in different U.S. cities, but also whether respondents actually like where they live, feel safe there, and have pride in their community.
Deciding where to buy your next house is a big decision, so you’ll want to base that choice on objective research, visits to areas in California that you’re considering moving to, and guidance from a knowledgeable local real estate agent. Your final choice should factor in an array of different criteria, including whether you have access to quality health care, proximity to reputable schools, and amenities like shopping, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions.
Other quality-of-life features to keep in mind are the overall appearance of neighborhoods, noise level, privacy, and the amount of street traffic. Commuting distance to your job or business would also be an important item on your house hunting checklist. Ultimately, each family has to decide what’s important to them, in terms of lifestyle goals, comfort requirements, happiness, and other expectations. Since every city and neighborhood in California often has its own unique characteristics, ambiance, and demographic makeup, it’s vital to visit and observe communities, first-hand, before narrowing down your search to one or two specific areas.