Q: Local Input on CA: Auberry, Clovis, Prather, Tollhouse, North Fork? (Fresno: crimes, homes)

[funcrew]

I'm currently living in a large desert city and making plans to leave for greener pastures when finances allow. Target locale is the Sierra foothills East of Fresno. I love the area, have numerous family members within an hour or two, there's great access to the Sierra for hiking, and much of the housing stock is on 5-acre parcels. Prices on house/land setups have fallen to half of peak, but still considerably more than 10 years ago. I'm working on job contacts there, but in my specialty it might take a while. Employer would be a city, county, state, or utility such as Edison or PG&E.

Anyway, I understand that the culture, demographics, and vibes vary considerably between communities only a few miles apart. I'd welcome any comments from locals on the fine points of the following areas - Also suggest others nearby if I'm missing a good one:

Running roughly South-to-North: Squaw Valley, Dunlap, Wonder Valley, Clovis, Tollhouse, Burrough Valley, Prather, Auburry, Raymond, Oneils, North Fork, Coarsegold, Friant.

I'd prefer a year-round creek or spring-fed pond, but they are rare in this area. North Fork has some, so I'm especially interested in opinions on that. My house/land budget would be $250K, but I'd like to come in below that if possible.

Thanks to all.

[FresnoFacts]

I'm a little busy to give more than just a quick answer. But I also wanted to bump this up so that someone else might see it and add info.

Glad to see you also mention water. Not everyone thinks about that in a foothill move. Be sure to try to talk to current residents of specific areas about water/wells/springs the last 2 years, the above average rainfall this year won't tell you everything.

Are you looking for only 5 acres or also smaller or larger parcels?

Clovis rural areas (all the way out to the community of Academy on Highway 168) would be influenced more by an urban population. Lots of people have small acreage but commute to jobs in Fresno/Clovis.

The Clovis area east and west of Fowler Avenue north of about Shepherd Avenue to about the Friant-Kern Canal has been dealing with water issues for several years since it sits over shallow bedrock. They have been looking at a rural water district of some kind. Some nice housing back in there on 2 to 30 acres but keep that in mind.

In general I find the areas like Raymond to have more a cowboy/cattle atmosphere. The areas like Squaw Valley and Dunlap are a mix of long-time residents, new professionals and city escapees/retirees, etc.

[LosingToMarmots]

Quick rundown on the Cities you mentioned. I work weekly in all of them except Squaw, Dunlap, and WonderValley.

Clovis- Grew up here nice town lots to do because of Proximity to Fresno. Land more expensive and more laws and rules have to live with.

Tollhouse, Prather, Auberry- I group these together because they are pretty much the same area unless you go higher up Auberry road which is really nice. The rest is your typical fairly quiet foothills (were I currently live in Prather) not much going on, land prices are reasonable (especially now) quick trip into town if you need things, couple decent restraunts up here. Lots of the 5 acre parcels, easy wells, good water not a lot of the springs/ponds you were talking about but there are some that you will pay more for. Great proximity to higher elevations if you like camping/backpacking.

Burrough Valley- This is part of the same area as above but don't waste your time. It is the area's redheaded step child. For God's sake they don't even have cell service in there!

Raymond- As a previous poster said kind of a cowboy style town but it is MaderaCounty so don’t expect much from the county in the way of good roads and quick 911 response but not to bad of an area.

Oniels- Nice area, quick to town, nothing to do (which isn't always a bad thing)

North Fork-LikeBurroughValley don't waste your time and money. Lots of meth and pot, famous for crimes like spousal abuse and animal cruelty calls to sheriff’s office. The people don't really take care of their homes and property (tall weeds, trash, broken down cars and big rigs). Just don't go past the new stretch of road 200 in O’Neil’s.

Coarsegold- Good place except highway 41 really sucks driving up and down everyday. Has the same feel as Auberry/Prather area with just a lot more people. You will also be in MaderaCounty so the roads are horrible to say the least, that area is better for 911 issues as compared to Raymond area though. Give yourself some time to figure out the numbered roads (they will confuse the crap out of you and your gps). Quick trip to Yosemite.

Friant- 10 Min to Fresno (good and bad). Lots of traffic due to the casino and the lake but they have improved that road 10 fold the last couple years. Little bit of the trashy feel but nothing like North Fork/Burrough Valley.