Stockton, Modesto - dangerous? (Fresno, Oakland: to rent, crime rate, house prices)

[leisenming]

Hi,


We have been looking at mid-valley to buy a house. Tracy and Manteca are sold out of new construction with waiting lists in the 100s. Ones near Stockton and Modesto are more easily available. Is the crime rate in Stockton and Modesto bad? How are the schools?


Thanks

[BayAreaResiding]

Well, it is quite suspicious new homes are available in Stockton, there is probably a reason behind that.................

I have never lived there but have heard nothing but bad things about Stockton. If you google Stockton, it ranks 10 ten of most dangerous cities in America. It is worse than Oakland , so that is saying something. All I have heard is never move there. There is a lot of crime and gang problems.


I haven't heard bad things about Modesto. I think it would be a lot better than Stockton.

[sacreole]

Have you considered other communities in the northern San Joaquin Valley? I would also look in Ripon, Oakdale, Lodi and Lathrop. These cities are smaller and safer in general. Stockton does have a reputation regarding high crime levels and overall social malaise. Modesto would be safer and better overall, particularly in the north part of town.

[leisenming]

I did not know Stockton crime was so extreme. Modesto is also quite high. Now looking at areas that you suggested.


I pictured mid valley as peaceful small towns - now realizing that things are different.


We will be driving there this weekend and taking a look for ourselves.

[General I80]

Originally Posted by leisenming

I pictured mid valley as peaceful small towns - now realizing that things are different.


We will be driving there this weekend and taking a look for ourselves.

Some places are ; look at Ripon, it's safe. Also, there are some good parts of both Stockton and Modesto.

[Valley Boy]

Originally Posted by leisenming

I did not know Stockton crime was so extreme. Modesto is also quite high. Now looking at areas that you suggested.


I pictured mid valley as peaceful small towns - now realizing that things are different.


We will be driving there this weekend and taking a look for ourselves.

Not sure what gave you that impression. They Valley has some of the raunchiest people on the planet. It's a lot of things, but wholesome is certainly not one of them.

[dontbelievehim]

Merced is better than both Modesto and Stockton. And it's cheaper, too. Now, Merced isn't anything special, but at least it's on the right track.
Air quality is worse in the valley than most parts of the bay, so get an electric car.

[norcalsocal]

If you have to live in Stockton, the area around Lincoln HS is probably OK, as well as the school itself. Nearby St.Mary's HS is a decent private school. There are few other reasonable parts of Stockton- I am sure locals know them better than I do. Ripon is a reasonably nice little town. Modesto has some decent parts and reasonably OK public high schools as well. Same for Lodi. Oakdale is fine. Unless somebody is too enthusiastic about Fresno (I am not), Merced seems to be too far from almost anything and is a mixed plate. However, UC Merced is a significant plus. If I had to choose, I would probably go with Ripon.

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by leisenming

Hi,


We have been looking at mid-valley to buy a house. Tracy and Manteca are sold out of new construction with waiting lists in the 100s. Ones near Stockton and Modesto are more easily available. Is the crime rate in Stockton and Modesto bad? How are the schools?


Thanks

What happened to Austin and Reno?

[leisenming]

We looked at Austin. The opportunities in the tech industry are much lower than in the Bay area. Also, house prices have gone up steeply.



Still looking at Reno to rent but not to buy.


Looking at mid valley, CA to buy.