Best places in california to raise a family

Image via WestJet Magazine

From safety stats, school rankings, and everything in between, these cities prove the best for raising a family in 2018.

One of the top priorities on the minds of prospective homebuyers around the country, is whether or not a certain city is fit to raise their family in. With nearly 50% of all home buying households having children under the age of 18, and at least 25% of those buyers claiming their children had some influence on their purchasing decisions, finding a location where their family can flourish ranks quite highly on buyers’ list of wants and needs.

For those who already live in California, or anyone who is considering making the move to the “Golden State”, there are a vast array of options to choose from. However, being inundated with tons of unorganized data can make the decision-making process overwhelming. The list below will help with that.

The below 10 cities take into account various factors that are crucial for family raising and development. These variables include things such as public school ranking, city safety data, healthy living environments, and other information to provide a comprehensive look into the benefits of each city to families. You’ll find that few cities rank highly on every data set, and that what one city lacks in one variable, it makes up for profoundly in another. Nevertheless, depending on your family’s goals, there’s at least one California city that will meet and exceed your expectations.

#10 — Glendale

Glendale is one of the most interesting cities in Southern California, although it may not seem like it at first-glance. The reason it’s so interesting, is that the city has taken its ethnically diverse population, ranging from Asian-Americans, Middle Eastern residents, and everything in between, and leveraged this melting pot to create a city that thrives on cultural awareness. And it’s perfect for families of all sizes.

The safe, friendly, and tolerant community lets you rest assured that any young children interact with an array of diverse and delightful residents. The safety rankings speak for themselves, and public school standing providing young students with top-tier primary level education. Although a bit pricier than some other markets, with a median home price hovering around $640,000, the location is well worth the premium.

Safety Ranking:

#8 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#24 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#13 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$56,069

Median Age of Residents:

41 Years Old

#9 — San Diego

Whenever “California” is mentioned in conversation, most people immediately think of sunny, warm weather, beautiful beaches, and big cities. In other words, they think of San Diego. The city/county is far more than meets the eye, however, ranking highly in safety statistics, an often difficult task for such large and populated metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, it continues to provide a premier quality of living for residents.

Roughly 37% of the 3.3 million person population have college degrees, working primarily in areas of defense, tourism, and more recently, technology. With Silicon Valley becoming cluttered and expensive, new start-ups and current tech giants alike are finding new homes on the shores of San Diego, providing a boost to job growth in recent years.

Safety Ranking:

#12 Safest Metro City in America

Public School Ranking:

#21 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#41 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$70,141

Median Age of Residents:

34 Years Old

#8 — Burbank

Burbank is one of those cities that tends to fly under the radar when potential homebuyers consider a move to, or within, California. However, any savvy house hunter should know there are many reasons this gem is should not go overlooked. For one, Burbank is located in the middle of the world’s media epicenter, with Hollywood just a short drive away, and major media corporations such as Warner Bros. Entertainment, Walt Disney Company, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, and many others setting up operations in the city.

Don’t let the Los Angeles-Hollywood glitz and glam of media and fame fool you however, Burbank is renowned for its advantages and opportunities for families. It ranks highly for safety, and even higher when looking at healthiest places to live in America. With a median home value of around $586,000, the price is expected for what your family will get in return.

Safety Ranking:

#13 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#20 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#12 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$66,076

Median Age of Residents:

39 Years Old

#7 — San Francisco

Not everybody who thinks about California immediately imagines the sunny weather and beautiful beaches. Some think of the skyscrapers and tech-boom that embodies Silicon Valley, and more specifically, San Francisco. It likely goes without saying what the cornerstones of San Francisco’s economy are built on, and why job growth rates continue to flourish

When it comes to raising a family, however, few think of San Francisco as an ideal location. However, the city’s diverse and distinct neighborhoods provide something for all lifestyles. For families specifically, living in the outskirts of downtown San Francisco provides the ideal balance between a suburban atmosphere and a big city bustle. This is often a perfect relationship for parents, providing them quick and easy access to their workplace, while still being just a short metro ride away from their homes.

Safety Ranking:

#58 Safest City in California

Public School Ranking:

#57 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#2 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$81,294

Median Age of Residents:

39 Years Old

#6 — Santa Clara

Another tech-driven city, Santa Clara has thrived off of its central Silicon Valley location. Roughly an hour drive south of San Francisco, Santa Clara has been a beneficiary of its borders, surrounded by cities like Mountain View, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. How have they benefited exactly? Just consider the economic impact of being neighbors with corporate giants like Intel, Google, Intuit, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, and Apple. Not to mention Santa Clara is home to both the renown Great America amusement park, and the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium. Completely unrelated? Maybe. Nevertheless awesome? Definitely.

In addition to the economic stability and numerous attractions Santa Clara boasts, it’s an ideal place for young families to establish their roots. With a relatively young median age of residents, higher than average household income, and 18% of the city’s population under the age of 18, potential homebuyers would be hard-pressed not to consider upgrading to Santa Clara.

Safety Ranking:

#23 Safest City in California

Public School Ranking:

#50 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#18 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$98,914

Median Age of Residents:

34 Years Old

#5 — Torrance

Headed back down to Southern California for the fifth spot on the list, the city of Torrance is another one of those under-the-radar gems that is overlooked by excited homebuyers. Located on the southern tip of Los Angeles county, the cool coastal community couples a calm ambiance and beautiful weather in a way that is hard to beat. In addition to the benefits of beachside living, Torrance’s quality of life is ideal for any size family.

Not only is it among the safest cities in LA county, the city has an abundance of parks and outdoor areas so families can choose whether to enjoy a nice breezy day on the coastal beaches, or opt-in for a park-style picnic, any day of the year. Torrance is also home to a top-of-the-line public education system that includes 17 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 high schools.

Safety Ranking:

#32 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#17 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#3 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$79,549

Median Age of Residents:

42 Years Old

#4 — Thousand Oaks

Not to be mistaken with the smaller, similar sounding Sherman Oaks, the city of Thousand Oaks is located in Ventura County, on the outskirts of the broader Los Angeles region. Unlike some of the tech-oriented cities that were seen earlier on the list, the economy of Thousand Oaks is mostly supported through the healthcare, automotive, and aerospace industries that reside there. Some of their corporate giants include Amgen, SAGE Publications, Baxter International, General Dynamics, and other like companies.

When looking at the city’s fitness to raise a family, look no further than their consistently high safety rankings according to FBI reporting, as well as being home to public schools that boast some of the highest academic scores both in the state, and in the nation. Thousand Oaks has also become renown for the Thousand Oaks Library system, which is one of the more robust and expansive library programs in the country.

Safety Ranking:

#3 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#4 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#29 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$100,946

Median Age of Residents:

42 Years Old

#3 — Carlsbad

Just north of San Diego rests the small but beautiful coastal city of Carlsbad. The city is a tourist hub for many California residents looking for a weekend getaway, given the picturesque, calm, and laid back atmosphere that Carlsbad boasts. The economy’s core industries include an interesting mix, such as video game development, medical devices, tourism, real estate, and others. Despite the somewhat odd mix of major industries, Carlsbad is the 5th richest city in California, and ranks in the top 20 wealthiest communities in America.

For families in a more stable financial position, and who can’t get enough of beachside ambiance, it’d be hard to do better than Carlsbad. The city is not only ideal for children in terms of safety and education, but the vast array of attractions and family activities create an even more positive quality of life for any size family. Not to mention being home to one of the most beautiful flower fields in the country.

Safety Ranking:

#6 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#8 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#16 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$105,000

Median Age of Residents:

42 Years Old

#2 — Sunnyvale

In a hotly contested battle for the top few spots, the Northern California city of Sunnyvale can easily be placed as the second best city in the state to raise a family. Although influenced heavily by the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale has maintained its suburban atmosphere and positive community ambiance through all the growth. The city’s economy is prospering on the foundations of the tech industry, as booming corporations saw an opportunity in the undiscovered Sunnyvale early in the tech boom. Top employers in Sunnyvale include Lockheed Martin, Apple, Yahoo!, Google, LinkedIn, and other tech giants.

As mentioned above, Sunnyvale has done a great job in separating the industrial growth from the community ambiance, holding onto a safe, secure, and positive lifestyle for families. With the northern half of Sunnyvale primarily dedicated to industrial use, the southern portion remains residential, and boasts an array of amenities for their residents. For example, the city dedicates roughly 476 acres of land solely to parks and outdoor development, including community gardens, public golf courses, and open picnic areas for the community to enjoy together. What family wouldn’t benefit from this quality of life?

Safety Ranking:

#7 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#19 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#25 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$105,401

Median Age of Residents:

35 Years Old

#1 — Irvine

Now we know what you might be thinking, but we swear, Irvine didn’t notch the number one spot just because we live and work in this beautiful city. The statistics and community speaks for itself, and it is clear why Irvine is such a perfect place for raising a family. Have your doubts? A simple Google search will bring up recognition from organizations such as CNN, Businessweek, and the Wall Street Journal praising Irvine for an array of benefits such as safety, happiness ranking, and premier places to live.

Irvine’s flexible economy has allowed it to become a home for thousands of small, medium-sized, and large businesses alike, providing them success along the way. The robust and prosperous business atmosphere has landed Irvine as a top ranked city for start-up companies, and boosted Orange County to rank among the top ten fastest growing job markets in the country.

Now, onto the family raising advantages that Irvine embodies. Not only does the city consistently and yearly rank in the top two or three safest cities in America, but has maintained that title for more than a decade. The public education system in Irvine is renown for their well-roundedness and opportunities provided to students, allowing children to develop to their utmost potential as they move from elementary, middle, and high school, ultimately preparing them for an array of top-tier universities. Although the median home price is a bit steep compared to others at $688,200, there is no doubt in the minds of Irvine families that it’s worth every penny.

Safety Ranking:

#2 of 220 Safest Cities in America

Public School Ranking:

#7 of 228 Best Public Schools in America

Health Ranking:

#4 of 228 Healthiest Places to Live in America

Median Household Income:

$92,278

Median Age of Residents:

34 Years Old

Conclusion

So there you have it. The 10 best places you can raise a family in California. As you can see, there are a wide array of options, factors, and opportunities to take into consideration. Any decision, or even any potential decision, should not be made without thoroughly thinking through all the possible outcomes of moving one place or another. Those who have high school age children, should inevitably look to make sure the city they’re considering has top-ranked high schools. Those with children under the age of 5, may want to consider safety and community-related statistics for their peace of mind.

Regardless of where you ultimately decide is best for your family, make sure you know the area inside and out. This is where seeking the services of a local real estate expert comes in handy. It comes at no cost to you, and gives you the nitty-gritty details you need to make an informed and positive decision when considering a move.