Info on Oakdale

[Nature Girl]

This is exactly what I was hoping to find out,,,thanks so much guys!! We are looking at buying a home 6 months after getting there so renting a house may be tough. We were going to just do a short term lease at a complex while we really get to know the schools and neighborhoods! I did hear that Riverbank had a gang problem and the crime has increased there? I did notice how Oakdale is so much more affordable than the other locations mentioned! We were shocked! When we lived in San Jose years ago, I never thought you could get a house ever again for under $500K! Even in Central Valley. This is so good to know and very helpful, thank you!

[Nature Girl]

[quote=TKD&FBMOM;496541]We moved to Oakdale 6mos. ago and love it. We live a couple blocks away from a wonderful ,brand new elementary school.

Can you tell me if there is an apartment complex(s) near this school? We are hoping where ever we rent, we can keep our daughter in that same school when we buy.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by leavingcali

I was raised in Riverbank---don't live there! Oakdale is by far your best option out of Turlock, Modesto, Riverbank, etc. Oakdale is a cute town, very close to the foothills, has its own character, and I think it is the nicest looking and most upscale of all the towns you mentioned. If you can afford it, maybe looking into renting a house instead of an apartment--there aren't many apartment complexes there (but they do exist). Good luck!

Silly ?, but do you have pretty views of the foothills while driving through town? I am just curious if you only see the hills from certain parts of town.

[TKD&FBMOM]

The new elementary school is called Sierra View Elementary. It is only 1 year old and very nice.The principal is wonderful. There are 2 or 3 other elementary schools and I hear they are good also. I know there are duplexes and houses to rent around the school because I know people who rent them. Have you went to realtor.com yet? It sounds like you have. We also were impressed with home prices, especially since I am a stay at home mom .Good luck with the new job and move. If you look on a map of Oakdale the school may not be on it yet-too new. But it is on the SE side of Oakdale on East J street directly across from Cottles Woods Park.

[leavingcali]

Hi Nature Girl~

Yes, I believe there are some views of the foothills, and distant mountains in Oakdale, especially on a clear day. You can see them sometimes while driving around...I am not sure about where in the town you need to be to have a view from your home. My Aunt and Uncle have a lovely home off of Hwy 108 by the country club (on your way out of Oakdale into the foothills). I think it is called bella sera or something like that. It is a gated community, and I am sure it is pricey, but very nice.

If you want to live out of town, closer to the foothills, look into Knights Ferry. I enjoyed visting their little historic downtown as a kid. However, I have no idea what the schools are like there (or if you could live there and keep your children in an Oakdale school). Don't have a clue on home prices either. Actually, you have a lot of choices when it comes to Oakdale and the surrounding areas (not Riverbank though~yuck). You could live in the town or in a more rural setting. I think it is a good choice for a family. If I ever moved back down that way, I would choose Oakdale too. Plus, you are close to great little family activities like visting the historic town of Columbia, ice skating at long barn, Yosemite, etc. During winter, you can get to snow in about a 45 min. drive.

Riverbank, in my opinion, is a run-down, ugly town. The schools are not good either (or at least they weren't when I was there. I lived there from 4 until 18, so my entire schooling, other than college of course, was in Riverbank). When I lived there, there were some problems between caucasians and Mexicans, which at that time was about all there was as far as demographics were concerned. Most of the town is poor, or looks that way, although there have been some improvements. They have a movie theater now, and a Kohl's and some other big stores. Theft is a big problem there-- Just stay away from there. My mother's car was stolen right outside of Kohl's this past December.

Oakdale however, is a whole other town. I think you'll like it there.