Moving for Job in Stockton, CA - Where to live? (Modesto: to rent, low crime)

[alexx579]

I got a job with a manufacturing company out in Stockton, CA. I would like to live in a community that is safe and not inhabited with gangs. Can anyone give me a recommendation? My limit for commuting would prob be around 30 miles. I have heard about Tracy/Mountain House, CA. Is this area OK? Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance....

[gizmo980]

I lived in Stockton for 3 years, while attending University of the Pacific... parts of that town are VERY shady, especially around the south-east & central-east neighborhoods. I lived in what's known as "Brookside", near I-5 and March Lane, and it's a pretty nice area. It's also nicer around UOP's campus, the north-west, and most of the northern parts. Outside of Stockton, Lodi is a fairly cute place, though some call it "hick-ish" & it possibly has some gang activity. Tracy is okay, but I'd call it boring and stripmall central, if you know what I mean. You might want to consider Manteca, French Camp, and possibly the small town of Morada (I think it's a bit pricey). Will you be renting or buying, and what kind of budget do you have? Those details are very important in choosing which is best!

[humboldtrat]

Is this the same as "moving to Tracy. . need advice"

[juju226]

I asked a similar question in my thread @ [url="http://www.city-data.com/forum/california/86769-turlock-stockton.html"] asking for opinions about living in Stockton vs. Turlock. You might find some of the responses there helpful in your decision.

[MnMParalegal]

be very, very careful in that area. i lived in stockton for 31 years, left 3 years ago because of (just to name a few reasons) the gangs, drugs, high housing costs, declining school, lowlifes, declining employment if you aren't bilingual. read the news section of the local paper recordnet.com and you get an accurate picture of stockton and the surrounding areas.

[Martha Pintard]

I live near by Stockton,is danger if you do not know the area. You migth come first to Stockton and see for your self. Stockton is not a good area especially if you have children. Gangs,drug,prostitution. They are trying hard to lift up the downtown a bit, but i will take a while,because they have to start clean up with all the bad reputation they have now. May be Manteca is good choice. Tracy is boring but is near to Bay Area. More Expensive. More traffic, but they have clean strees and better schools and more restaurants.Modesto is the stolen car capital of the US, plus many gang problems. There are constant shootings. bad schools. Its one of the larger cities in the area, but many problems.

Recomendations:
Tracy: Clean, good schools, growing fast and close to the Bay Area. (But a bit expensive)
Manteca: Paced growth, low crime, close to bay area freeways
Lodi: Small Town, Low crime, very clean. (Not much commerce,boring for young couples)
Hope this helps you.

[lynelle1]

I have read most of the threads/postings regarding relocating to Stockton. It sounds like, in general, its bad - but reviews of the I-5 (Brookside, etc.) areas seem mixed. My husband is going to be working in the Port of Stockton area for approximately two years, so we have to temporarily relocate to that area from small-town Michigan (Ann Arbor area). We have wonderful everything here - schools, low crime, great neighborhood- just a fairly bad climate and current economic recession.

My question is, my husband recently visited and felt that the Brookside area (and other gated communities nearby) were fine. I'm still worried because of everything I read. Trying to balance the commute for him, and safety/schools for our children. We are not wealthy, but expense is not a huge factor because we will be covered for those two years by my husband's employer. We are looking to rent a fairly large house.

[DMenscha]

Try Linden east of Stockton or Valley Springs further up the hill

[skatealoneskatetogether]

Brookside is hands down the nicest area of stockton. Children who live in brookside who go to public schools are part of the Lincoln school district which usually always out performs stockton unified schools.

[lynelle1]

Thank you for your replies to my post about the Brookside area. I have combed over the School Accountability Report and other information regarding the Brookside Elementary School and can't find much to complain about. In fact, there is much more cultural diversity in that school (compared to here in Michigan) which is great.

Brookside being the best part of Stockton, however, would you choose it over Elk Grove, Lodi or Valley Springs? Do you think its worth the commute to choose one of those areas over Brookside?

Thanks so much for your replies.