I like to move to San Jose. My gf likes Fresno (Los Angeles: real estate, sex offenders)

[memrab]

She's from there that's why. I'm from Memphis just got out of the navy about 2 years ago.
1)We both want to find a small town that's nice..away from the crime but affordable just outside a
university. (Drivable.) Is there an area next to San Jose State/Fresno State that's affordable like that?

Nothing more than $800, maybe $850 rent

2) And by the way, how selective is San Jose State? I've read Fresno's not all that great.

3) I deliver for Papa John's and currently going to school. She also has a food service type job.
Could I make it out there with approx $800 being California's min wage is $8?

Thanks a bunch, trying to escape the evil clutches of racism and crime that is Memphis..

[BRinSM]

Davis, Humboldt, Sonoma, and Sacramento are a few other options you may want to consider.

[FresnoFacts]

What career fields/educational majors are you considering? Both San Jose State and Fresno State are part of the California State University system so the minimum admission standards are similiar. However, different majors may not be available or have higher requirements at one campus or the other.

I'll only comment in terms of Fresno and leave San Jose for others. BRinSM gave you some good suggestions for other areas also.

Adjacent to Fresno State is the city of Clovis, population about 70,000. It ranks as one of the safest cities in California. Median rents would be in your price range.

You could also find housing in your price range north of the campus inside the city of Fresno.

In terms of crime, Fresno's crime rate has dropped over the last few years. The crime figures now run lower than San Francisco. Like any city though you need to do your research and decide which areas to avoid.

[memrab]

I see that Fresno has a gang and poverty problem? Also, its a harvest place to grow meth out there. So, I went on the mayor's website and he stresses education to rebuild a community. When I read some stuff on here about Fresno in some random thread, I felt people didn't care about Fresno education or jobs. What's your take on the city?

I including some crime charts from Memphis, San Jose and Fresno just to give you guys an idea what I'm dealing with here. All neutral unbiased info is much appreciated..

[FresnoFacts]

Its been years since I've been to Memphis, I didn't realize the crime numbers had reached that level.

You should also take a look at the crime numbers for Clovis. They are basically at the same level as San Jose.
Clovis, California (CA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

For Fresno, the city reached a 43 year low in crime last year. Still higher than most would like but a huge improvement over the problems in the 1990s.
FresnoBee.com: Local: Fresno's crime at 43-year low (broken link)

Much of the reduction is probably related to a focus on the local economy. High unemployment is one cause of crime.

The local business community formed the Fresno Regional Job Initiative to create new jobs. It is made up of business leaders not politicians.

Unemployment was very high in Fresno in the 1990s. It was a 16% annual rate in 1992, but dropped to 8% last year. What needs to be pointed out is during the same time the county grew by 200,000 people, meaning job growth outpaced population growth.

Water techology has been a growth industry around Fresno. The use, movement, and recovery of water could become a critical issue for people everywhere and Fresno is developing into a research and manufacturing center for the field.

Another growth area is in logistics. Many companies are relocating warehouses from the Bay Area and Southern California.

Yes Fresno has negatives, particularly many that existed in the past, but many of the trends have changed. I'm not trying to sell you on this area but help you be informed.

Hopefully you'll get some feedback from others about San Jose. It is an important decision and it sounds like you want to make it work for you.

[Capt. Dan]

Although i have been away from California for awhile now, i remember the San Jose area being a place of expensive rents. I think Fresno would more likely fit your needs. I think a young couple just starting out could probably afford living in the valley easier than the Bay area. Also, if you go to Fresno you will be only a short drive from Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoya National Parks. GODS COUNTRY!! Good luck to you!
PS--I live 1 hour east of Memphis on Hwy 64. Sorry to see you go!

[the city]

San Jose has said to be best of the major cities in California-Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Fresno.

But, it sounds what you're looking for is Fresno. Fresno is cheaper than San Jose, and has a better college I think. Fresno has about 500,000 population and San Jose has about a million.

Fresno has bad heat, and San Jose not so much. Fresno has bad city infrastucture, but the city is working on that and their downtown. Fresno doesn't have a lot of upscale stores now, but they could some day. Fresno has a worse gang and poverty problem than San Jose, but San Jose has one part of the city that is worse than any part of Fresno.

I hope that info helps.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by the city

San Jose has said to be best of the major cities in California-Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Fresno.

That's flattering, but who says this?

Originally Posted by the city

but San Jose has one part of the city that is worse than any part of Fresno.

Where would that be? The much fabled eastside? That's nothing compared to some places in this state.

[Luke9686]

I agree with Krud. Even "bad east San Jo" isn't all that bad. I've been to the supposed bad areas many, many times and never felt unsafe. Sure the area is primarily blue collar hispanic, but I doubt if you'd get shot just being there.

That being said, San Jose is neither small, nor affordable so Fresno may be what you are looking for.

[NorthernCalifornia]

san jose is definitely not what you're looking for. you might also consider Chico which is smaller than Fresno but nicer and has a CSU as well.