Which neighbourhoods to live in around or in Stockton? (Sacramento: apartments, foreclosures)

[Marissa4usa]

Hi,
I am will be attending the University of the Pacific this upcoming fall for my graduate degree. My boyfriend will most likely work from home so we will not have to worry about accomendating him commuting to work. obviously, I would like to live as close as possible to the university (I would love walking distance) but since I will have a car either way I'd be happy with a ~ 20 minute commute.
Like I said I'd like to be close to the University BUT i don't want my sleep to be disrupted to rowdy undergrads.Although we would obviously like to pay as little rent as possible it is more important for us to live in a safe neighbourhood and we're willing to pay for this. I heard that there are several bad areas in Stockton. I (as a woman) want to be able to walk my dog at 11pm without having to fear being raped or robbed. I also saw that there are several cities around Stockton and likeI said, as long as the commute is not longer than ~20 minutes that'd be fine,too. My boyfriend and me enjoy going out to bars and restaurants (nothing too crazy but I think you know what I mean) so being near where there is some action would be great,too.

So, do you guys have any specific recommendations, in terms of neighbourhoods, cities, streets,etc?
Again, most important for us is safety, then distance to UoP and then distance to bars & restaurants.

Thanks!

[mattinsac]

I have friends who live in Lodi and like that a lot. Some of the older parts of Lodi actually have a lot of charm. Its not that far from Stockton. There is a neighborhood called Brookside that is supposed to be very nice, but it might be too expensive. Its a gated community, has a country club etc. You might want to look at Lakeview, Lincoln Village West and Spanos Park. If it were me, I would pick Lodi over any of them, but you might value the shorter commute more than me.

Stockton is a very distressed community. A lot of it isn't too nice.

[Marissa4usa]

*bump*

Any more recommendations for or against certain neighbourhood in Stockton?
When I go on craiglist I see a lot of fairly inexpensive apartment rentals in North Stockton? Is that a good area or should I avoid it at all cost?

[Jimbo15]

Stockton is about 60 miles Sacramento. The problem you may be having here is just too few people with an in depth knowledge of Stockton.

I don't have tremendous experience with Stockton but I agree with the sentiment of just moving to Lodi. The places I have been in Stockton weren't that nice.

[wburg]

Agreed, there aren't many folks familiar with Stockton here.

Most of what we hear is not good. I have heard that the neighborhoods closer to the university are relatively safe, but Stockton has an extremely bad reputation. It is an epicenter of foreclosures and was notorious as a dangerous high-crime city even before the collapse of the housing market and the recession. Personally I'd suggest looking at places close to UOP.

[TPSpecialist]

I went to UOP for undergrad. Brookside is a community worth looking into. If you don't mind living with others it should be pretty affordable. I had some friends who lived in a house there. Since it is a gated community you can walk pretty much whatever time you want and be free from crime.

I'd also like to add that I lived in Stockton for 4 years during undergrad and did not have one single problem. I tried to get all my stuff done around town during the day so I didn't have to get out at night. It's not as bad as its reputation suggests if you're smart about things. Stay around the university and Lincoln Center and don't go anywhere past West Lane.

[Marissa4usa]

So, basically you are saying that I should stick with neighbourhoods close to I-5 or only west of I-5? the more west, the better?
Does anyone know what two-bedroom apartments (preferably with a garage or at least some sort of covered parking spot) rent for in these areas?

Then: Is it really so bad that one can't go out to a bar or restaurant at night? Or is it okay as long as we stay close to UoP / West Stockton?

[handiquack]

Well, Stockton isn't East Palo Alto (Murder Capital of the US) or other rundown parts of NorCal, but it isn't the most desirable place either. I'd probably choose a nicer part of Oakland to Stockton if I had the choice (just for comparison).

I think you'd be more than safe if you stayed in the right neighborhoods. Stockton's main problem is it gets excessively hot in the summer, it's rundown, there's a thick cloud of smog shadowing the city, and the people are a whole are undesirable.

You may like it, though. I just know personally I despise even having to drive through it.

[markdm4805]

North Stockton can be sketchy around Hwy 99 but may be ok around I-5. I would really really consider Lodi I have driven the Amtrak Bus from Sacramento to Lodi and Stockton for 3 years. I have always loved Lodi and if I had the chance would move to Lodi in a heartbeat it is a small little central valley town with some very nice wineries but also big enough to have target and WalMart and most other chain stores. I could make it to downtown in 20 min so UOP should be more like 15 min. If you absolutely have to live in Stockton then Spanos Park to me is the best North Stockton Neighborhood. But I would really recommend Lodi. Also be careful if you venture into Downtown Stockton. There are some nice qualities and the city is trying but it is very easy to end up in some very dangerous parts of downtown especially by the greyhound depot.

[17271]

You should try West Lodi. It's one of the better areas in San Joaquin County.