If you are moving to California, you may not necessarily know where you will feel most at home. Every family has its own priorities. Some of us place value on public schools, while others want to live somewhere they can root for their favorite sports team. If you aren't sure where you should move, perhaps one of these cities is a good choice based on your needs.
Population: 3,928,864
Major League Teams: 8 (Soon to be 9)
Los Angeles is actually a bigger sports city than you might not realize. Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center, where you can see the NBA's Clippers and Lakers, are heavy hitters in the sports arena. Now, hockey is increasingly popular with the rise of the Kings. Head over to Pasadena's Rose Bowl to catch some college football, or visit Anaheim to watch the Angels play too. More interested in soccer? The Chivas USA and Galaxy operate in Carson at StubHub Center. Plus, you can see plenty of Division I schools play in the Los Angeles area. You might even get to see UCLA or USC play. Between the two teams, they have more than 21 national championships in the last 10 years alone.
Sports fans can also rest easy with the news that the NFL's Rams are returning to Los Angeles. This is the first NFL team to hit L.A. in 20 years.
Population: 837,442
Number of Public Schools: 160+
As home to more than 837,442 people, San Francisco has a lot to offer the intellectual in you. About 43% of San Franciscans have a bachelor's degree, and nearly 2% have a PhD. Plus, nearly 84% of residents have graduated from high school. Nearly 30 libraries exist in San Francisco, each one with its own unique offerings. Of course, this does not not include private university libraries.
If museums are a major component of city culture for you, San Francisco is a great place for your family. Living in the Bay Area, you have access to historical Alcatraz Island, the enlightening San Francisco Museum of Natural History, and the intriguing Ripley's Believe it or Not. Whether fun or education is your aim, this is the city to seek it out.
Population: 62,864
Average temperature: 52 degrees
Imagine this for your morning: staring off the coast into the Pacific Ocean, looking for signs of wildlife. Then, hit the trails for miles of hiking. Santa Cruz is great for outdoor activities. Sailing, stand-up paddling, and kayaking are all on the menu for a sunny day at sea. Go whale watching or visit a vineyard if athletics aren't your style. You might also like hitting Natural Bridges State Beach for some tidepooling fun before enjoying the majestic monarch butterfly grove.
Population: 123,435
Percentage of men never married: 55.1%
Percentage of women never married: 39.8%
If you absolutely love the bar scene, Hollywood is a fantastic city to explore. This is where you can find amazing DJ's and excellent live music. The venues are out of this world, and many are world-renowned. The Avalon is right across from Capitol Records (yes, the Capitol Records), and headliners appear on a weekly basis. Come here to hear electronic, hip-hop, and indie rock music. Playhouse is a nightclub right along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, attracting tourists and locals alike. If you are looking for a piece of the 90's, head over to The Roxbury (if you can get in). Then, saunter over to Supperclub, one of Hollywood's most popular dance clubs.
Population: 66,642
Crime rate: 20.5 out of 1,000
Palo Alto is known for its excellent school system. More than 12,200 students are enrolled in Palo Alto School District, and 19 schools are in the district, making the average class size is merely 18 students. students consistently rank proficient in reading and math standardized exams. It's no surprise that SAT and STAR scores are higher in this school district than in any other in California. The more personalized instruction works well for students.
While the median home value in the Bay Area is higher than $1,000,000, the quality of the neighborhoods here is consistent. This also indicates that the crime rate is quite low for its size. The crime index is significantly less than not only California's median, but also the nation's. Your chances of becoming a victim of a crime, violent or property, is 1 in 51, which is lower than the rate for California. The most common crime in Palo Alto is robbery, and there were only about 30 last year.
California offers a wide variety of living situations, whether you prefer the tech-centered Bay Area or you are more interested in the hopping nightlife down south. California's diversity makes it a fantastic place to consider moving with your family, no matter what type of lifestyle suits you.
