Top 10 California Cities To Raise A Family (SmartAsset) (Arcadia, Glendora: places, affordable)

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Since we often get questions about what cities in California are the best for raising families, I thought I'd share this list from SmartAsset.com. Here is their "top 10" in California for families:

1. Roseville
2. Fremont
3. Torrance
4. Livermore
5. Pleasanton
6. Temecula
7. Rocklin
8. Redondo Beach
9. Mountain View
10. Davis

Great descriptions of each city in the article:

https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-...-in-california

Now, we all know that these top 10 lists are limited and that there are actually many places in California that are great to raise a family in.

So, if you currently live in a great California family-friendly city, town, or unincorporated area, how about sharing below the name of the place you live and why YOU think it's a great place to raise a family?

Alternately, if you live in one of the above cities, tell us about what you like about living there.

Thanks in advance to anyone who contributes!

(And please, let's keep this positive --- no California-bashing or bashing individual cities/towns.)

I have lived all over SoCal, but from that list in that part of the State I would list Temecula. Lived next door in Murrieta and a very nice area for families.

[GSR13]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

In San Diego County, I'd add these cities and areas as being good for families: Poway, Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Santee, Jamul, Alpine, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch. But there are others as well.

Good choices. I'd also include Ramona, Poway, southern Riverside County and the Sacramento area.

[majoun]

Surprised there aren't any Marin or Sonoma places on that list.

[GSR13]

Originally Posted by majoun

Surprised there aren't any Marin or Sonoma places on that list.

Too liberal

[majoun]

Originally Posted by GSR13

Too liberal

Redondo Beach, Torrance, Mountain View, Fremont, and Davis aren't exactly conservative

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by majoun

Surprised there aren't any Marin or Sonoma places on that list.

The reason probably has to do with the methodology. It heavily weights cost of living factors. Here's the explanation of methodology from the article:

In order to find the best places to raise a family in California, we looked at a number of livability and cost metrics. Specifically we compared Californian cities across the family poverty rate, average deficit for families in poverty, the high school graduation rate, the percent of the population under the age of 20, median monthly housing costs, median household income, property crime rate, violent crime rate, median home value change, unemployment rate, the cost of child care and the percent of high school graduates taking college preparatory courses.

The age thing probably factors in, as well. I don't have data off the top of my head, but I bet Marin and Sonoma tend to skew older.

Note: political persuasion was NOT part of the methodology.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

The reason probably has to do with the methodology. It heavily weights cost of living factors. Here's the explanation of methodology from the article:

In order to find the best places to raise a family in California, we looked at a number of livability and cost metrics. Specifically we compared Californian cities across the family poverty rate, average deficit for families in poverty, the high school graduation rate, the percent of the population under the age of 20, median monthly housing costs, median household income, property crime rate, violent crime rate, median home value change, unemployment rate, the cost of child care and the percent of high school graduates taking college preparatory courses.

The age thing probably factors in, as well. I don't have data off the top of my head, but I bet Marin and Sonoma tend to skew older.

Note: political persuasion was NOT part of the methodology.

Redondo Beach and Mountain View aren't exactly cheap.

[SouthernProper]

For a long time my dream city was Santa Barbara. Obviously I would be a millionaire first. What are opinions on that city?

[saibot]

If not for "cost of living," Orange County would be all over that list. If you can afford it, many of the OC cities are among the better places to raise a family.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by saibot

If not for "cost of living," Orange County would be all over that list. If you can afford it, many of the OC cities are among the better places to raise a family.

Most of the cities on that list have a cost of living just as high or higher than OC. Roseville, Temecula, and Rocklin are the only one's that are cheaper.