visalia/three rivers/woodlake (Sacramento, Orange: foreclosures, rental homes, houses)

[rgb123]

Hi -- job opportunity in Three Rivers

I'm from the midwest but have lived in Sacramento -- and just to give you an idea about me -- I lived east of of Sac in Rocklin and I loved it there.

I'm 30, female and single and don't want to be toooo isolated though. It does seem like this is a nice area of California for people who don't make tons of money.

Can anyone clue me in about this area? If I had to work in Three Rivers (basically, Sequoia national park) how far could I live? I'm thinking Visalia.

What are my options? Is it a nice place to call home? any info is apprecited!

thank you

[acdalton1]

I've always found Visalia to be a nice place. I know that the last time I went I saw some commercial expansion. From what I know, home prices are down and competitive. I do not live there but have been through on many occasions.

[edelweiss]

A nice place to be!! I think my husband's dream is to retire in Three Rivers or somewhere thereabouts... we've been up to Sequoia many times and LOVE IT!! Visalia to Three Rivers is about 20-25 minutes, not bad. It's a peaceful place, but not too isolated, I wouldn't say. Good luck with your move!

[rgb123]

thanks! I appreciate the input. I've only driven through on 99 a couple of times so I dont know that area well at all. This thread hasn't gotten much activity, is this place just really .....low key? I think that might be a good thing.....

maybe it is so central, that the population will remain somewhat small, due to its distance from both san francisco and los angeles? perhaps the prices stay more reasonable too?

Thanks for the insight!

[MWJamesLDS]

Prices are actually going down in the Visalia area. I don't know about the population staying down however. It recently seems to have slowed, but the city gained something like 40,000 people in under 10 years. Visalia to Three Rivers would not be the worst commute, but you would have to get used to driving the winding roads. Three Rivers itself is a beautiful place! I think it would be a great place to buy a home. It is however a little more expensive to live there. Plus, just about all your shopping would have to be done on the valley floor.(Visalia, Exeter, Tulare). If you do choose to move here, I would avoid woodlake. Exeter is a nice community, clean, a little less crime. However, you would still do most your shoppin is Visalia. Tulare has had a lot of growth as far as shopping goes. I think East Tulare could be a really nice place to live, close to shopping, all the homes are newer. In Visalia, you'll mainly want to avoid living in the North central/east areas. Stay away from the Main street areas for living. Main street is fun to visit, but is near the not so great neighborhoods. North of Main near the oval is the worst.

[rgb123]

thanks!! I'm looking forward to hearing more on this topic as well....I am hearing nice things about Exeter...I might look into that.

It does seem like there is generally more gang activity in that whole area than I am used to....but I am from chicago....I like the fact that one can live in central california and be such a close drive to so many great things.

When people bash central, valley towns in california I have to think it is all mostly relative (to the rest of california)....you are still surrounded by so many great things most of the population of the US NEVER has the chance to see, unless they get on an airplane and plan a vacation around it.

The midwest has it's perks....but I really miss living in california!

[MWJamesLDS]

Yes, it is totally relative. Most people who bash the Valley are from LA or the bay area. If you expect that lifestyle, yeah, the valley sucks. I admit the smog does really suck. But other than that, there are much worse places to live! I actually lived in Orange County for a few years. I moved back to the valley after I got sick and tired of crowds, traffic, Urban sprawl for a hundred miles in every direction etc. On a clean air day, the Valley can have some wonderful views. Most days you can't see them, but when it rains the mountains are great looking! Anyway, best of luck.

[visboy]

Three Rivers And Exeter Would Be Good Choices. Visalia Is A Little To Far
In Imo. I Have Lived In Visalia-exeter Area 17 Years, And Its Been Good To Our Family. The Area Is Beautiful And The People Are Friendly. The Air At Times Can Be Bad, But Alot Better Than La Where 15 Million People Live. If Your Looking For A Town To Raise A Family Visalia Is Great. In All These Years I Have Never Had Any Problems With Crime. We Do Live In A Very Nice Safe Neighborhood, But Even Downtown IVE Always Felt Safe. Like With Any Town Certain Areas CaN Be Unsafe. Just Dont Go There At Night And All Is Well. Good Luck With The Move.

[ttessmann]

You will love working there! It is beautiful. Like the other posters said, there are some areas you want to avoid, but that is everywhere. The prices have come down so much on homes, even in Three Rivers. There are some really great houses on the market there. And, because of all the foreclosures and houses not selling, there's a great selection of rental homes as well. If you would be interested in looking at some of the homes on the market, let me know and I can send you a private e-mail of listings in Exeter, Visalia, Three Rivers and any other areas you would be interested in! My e-mail address is ttessmann@remaxvisalia.com. Good luck.

[Dussymane]

i am from birmingham alabama and i moved here to exeter, ca last november. i now live in visalia. this is what i have learned from living here:

this is a really beautiful place, but you can't tell most days of the year because the smog almost completely erases the mountain view.

with rain so sparse, and permanent sunlight it feels like an endless summer 9 months out of the year. i kind of like this.

the endless groves and orchards are sure to play hell with your sinuses if you have allergies.

public transportation is pretty good.

the sequoias are amazing, breathtaking, and unlike anything ive experienced ever before. watching the sunset from the giant trees is the surreal.

you see alot of the same kinds of people. most of the cars on the road are nicer, newer cars. i see a tons of those chrysler 300s with rims, a lot of cars have huge rims, people drive the biggest trucks here, so basically people are quite into image here. i rarely ever see a junker anymore except the reflection of my wrecked toyota tacoma in the chrome of some 300s wheel

i would say most of the alternative lifestyles people are in three rivers, and that is a very small community.

there is the occasional guy with face and head tattoos in the crosswalk that probably would have any east coaster on the edge of their seat, but most of these guys are pretty cool if you talk to them. i haven't met any real creeps since i've been here.

overall, i think this is a place for people that want to settle down. the endless number of suburban homes here and the smaller-town feel make it an ideal place for that. however, i am ready to move on to bigger and better places