Mendota, CA, Good place to live? (Fresno, Clovis: apartments, rentals, houses)

[rnpribyl]

I have applied for a promotion in Mendota, CA. I was just wondering if Mendota would also be a good place to live? My husband and I are looking for a short commute time (30 minutes or less, if possible). We want an area that has other couples in our age range (we're both 29), lots of restaurants, good shopping, things to do in general, but we also want a safe area. I've heard the horror stories of Fresno, and from what I can read Madera is a little Fresno. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[rnpribyl]

Originally Posted by rnpribyl

I have applied for a promotion in Mendota, CA. I was just wondering if Mendota would also be a good place to live? My husband and I are looking for a short commute time (30 minutes or less, if possible). We want an area that has other couples in our age range (we're both 29), lots of restaurants, good shopping, things to do in general, but we also want a safe area. I've heard the horror stories of Fresno, and from what I can read Madera is a little Fresno. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

OK I looked at some of the Fresno thread. Northeast Fresno sounds appealing. The problem we have run across when moving to new states is finding apartments. I have looked at rent.com and the like but it's tough to actually know where a good area is. Any help on apartments in the Fresno area (we would like to stay at $1000 a month or less).

[jeffredo]

Mendota is a small, boring little farm town. The population has no diversity (over 90% Hispanic and mostly Spanish speaking). You don't want to live there. Renting in Fresno (or Clovis) is pretty easy - for the most part stay north of Shaw Avenue and you'll be fine. Just checked Craigslist - there's a 2 bedroom at Bullard and Willow in Clovis, single story with washer/dryer hookups and a garage for $950. You'll have no problem with your budget getting a decent place.

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by rnpribyl

OK I looked at some of the Fresno thread. Northeast Fresno sounds appealing. The problem we have run across when moving to new states is finding apartments. I have looked at rent.com and the like but it's tough to actually know where a good area is. Any help on apartments in the Fresno area (we would like to stay at $1000 a month or less).

Northeast Fresno around Liberty Hills is where you want to start your search. Forget Rent.com. Use Google maps and focus in on the cross streets of Perrin and Champlain. Type in Apartments and work back from there. Here I will get you going.

Dominion Heights - Dominion Heights - Fresno, CA

Crown Point Apartments - Crown Point Apartments - Fresno, CA


Also check out the rents of houses in this area. One of the Nicest in Fresno. Then I would start looking in Clovis.

The Freeway system has improved greatly in the last ten years and makes getting around very quick and efficient.

Maybe you'll get lucky and FresnoFacts will see this thread.

[rnpribyl]

Originally Posted by bulldogdad

Northeast Fresno around Liberty Hills is where you want to start your search. Forget Rent.com. Use Google maps and focus in on the cross streets of Perrin and Champlain. Type in Apartments and work back from there. Here I will get you going.

Dominion Heights - Dominion Heights - Fresno, CA

Crown Point Apartments - Crown Point Apartments - Fresno, CA


Also check out the rents of houses in this area. One of the Nicest in Fresno. Then I would start looking in Clovis.

The Freeway system has improved greatly in the last ten years and makes getting around very quick and efficient.

Maybe you'll get lucky and FresnoFacts will see this thread.

Great, thanks! The search option came back up, so I was able to find a few threads that FresnoFacts did post in. He's definitely a wealth of info! I think we found a few places that would work. I just have to get the promotion now!

[Kibbiekat]

No. You'll probably want to live in Fresno.

[David Aguilar]

Isn't Mendota like almost an hour from Fresno?

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by rnpribyl

Great, thanks! The search option came back up, so I was able to find a few threads that FresnoFacts did post in. He's definitely a wealth of info! I think we found a few places that would work. I just have to get the promotion now!

Good luck.

[FresnoFacts]

I've been gone for a few days and just saw this thread.

Mendota is a small farm town about 10,000 people, not much there beyond basics. Some good hard-working people though, a group of kids from Mendota (most from farm labor families) just won the state chess championship a few weeks ago.
Column One: Chess takes root in Central Valley farm town, blossoms into a state title for Latino high school team - latimes.com

Based on the things you are looking for, your age, etc. you probably should look around the Fresno/Clovis area. You might be able to rent something nice in one of the towns or in a rural area closer to Mendota but all of the towns are roughly the same size as Mendota with little beyond basic services.

As mentioned, figure 45 minutes to 1 hour to commute from anywhere in Fresno/Clovis to Mendota.

There are a lot of rental apts in the Fresno/Clovis area, if you have found the old threads I posted I've listed places to look into. There are some nice choices along Nees Avenue close to shopping as well as good rentals in other areas. If you have questions just ask.

When looking for Fresno rentals I might suggest you also use something like Google Maps Streetview to check the location. Type in the rental address, then move the little person icon to that location. It then allows you scroll up and down the street to explore the neighborhood, you can get a little more info about the neighborhood beyond what a rental ad says.

I though I'd add a couple of links you can review too.

Not sure what types of activities you enjoy, but you can find many different things to do around Fresno. If you like music there is a range of genres, both large arena concerts (Tim McGraw performed last night, Prince was a few weeks ago, Michael Bublé performs soon) to small upcoming groups (UK band Brother played Fresno a few weeks ago before flying to NY to appear on Letterman). There are both travelling Broadway shows and local theater, different types of special events, etc.

These blogs provide some good coverage of local events that might be of interest.
http://www.thefresnan.typepad.com/
http://fresnobeehive.com/author/mike_oz (broken link)
http://fresnofamous.com/

You mentioned restaurants, there is a lot of variety. These are a couple of blogs of reviews of Fresno area restaurants. Might give you an idea of some of the choices.
http://tastefresno.com/reviews
http://fresnobites.wordpress.com/

No local major league sports teams in Fresno but lots of other sports including college, AAA baseball, etc. Usually Fresno State schedules some good home opponents. Ole Miss plays at Fresno this year, future season schedules include home games against Oklahoma, Colorado, Rutgers, etc.

Originally Posted by rnpribyl

Great, thanks! The search option came back up, so I was able to find a few threads that FresnoFacts did post in. He's definitely a wealth of info!

Thanks for the compliment. All I try to do is provide info so that people can balance things and make choices about what is right for their situation and preferences.

If you have specific questions, just ask.

[ferretkona]

I wonder if they still have that pork rendering plant in Mendota. Area stunk bad for miles.