California’s natural resources, scenery, and climate have been enticing visitors since long before the Gold Rush in the mid-1850s. Career opportunities, a diverse population, a variety of lifestyles, moderate weather and the many major cities of California are all factors that attract residents today.
The 840-mile Pacific coast is a magnet for ocean lovers. From the north to the south, the scenery changes dramatically, from rugged cliffs and towering trees to Southern California’s beaches with white sand. California has more mountain ranges than any other state, except Alaska. California has a wide range of lifestyles, from small towns and major cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles to Central Valley farms and wine regions all over the state.
California’s advantages have a cost. California’s cost of living The third highest in the country (after Hawaii, Massachusetts) and the second highest in transportation costs due to the high price of gas. Housing costs in California are more than twice as high as the national average. This is especially true for major metropolitan areas. California has a 13.3% state income tax, with capital gains taxed at the same rate as regular income. Social Security benefits for retirees are not taxed.
Californians appreciate the benefits of the state, despite its high cost. When my husband and I arrived in the late 1970s, we quickly fell in love with the Southern California beach cities, and we have stayed, despite my having to decline several job opportunities in other states—with no regrets. As the figures are averages for the entire state, costs and lifestyles will vary by city. California has a community and town to suit everyone’s needs. 39,663,800 residents You will be told.
Sacramento
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The capital of the state, Sacramento Realtors offer employment as well history, diversity and affordability. Realtor Alice Tomkins House Real Estate – What you need to Know Travel + Leisure“I could praise Sacramento for days.” I love this city! Tomkins continued, “Commonly referred to as ‘The City of Trees’ and the ‘Farm-to-fork Capital,’ Sacramento offers abundant parks, recreation, miles of riverwalk pathways, restaurants, farmers markets, art, and entertainment.”
Sacramento is located near Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley as well Northern California and Southern California destinations. Tomkins described Sacramento International Airport as an airport where residents can travel easily. Sacramento is a beautiful and diverse city because of the affordable housing in its many neighborhoods. The desirable NorCal region is a popular choice for those looking to move there.
Zillow’s data suggests that the average home value in Sacramento is $488.528, according to Tomkins. Sacramento received a grade of B+. NicheThe diversity, the schools and the families are all given high marks. The population of the metro is currently 2,269,000.
La Quinta
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Then, you can get started. Greater Palm Springs La Quinta, located in the Coachella Valley, at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains is a vibrant community with over 20 world-class golf courses. LaQuinta has scenic neighborhoods, an outstanding public school system, hiking paths, and a charming Main Street. In Old Town LaQuintaThere’s shopping, restaurants and entertainment in the village. I’ve visited LaQuinta several times, played golf, and stayed at LaQuinta Resort & ClubIn 2026, the company will celebrate its centennial.
The following are some of the most effective ways to increase your ROI: RoseAnn Foxx Bennion Deville Homes said to T+L: “La Quinta combines luxury with small town living.” La Quinta has a wide range of housing options, including single-family houses to rental apartments and gated communities. According to estimates, the average home is worth $754,061 ZillowAccording to Realtor.comThere are more than 800 homes available at different price ranges. Niche LaQuinta is given a grade of B+ and the median value of a home is $612 800.
Palm Springs International Festival (PSP), a lively downtown and Palm Springs International Airport are all located in Palm Springs. The Palm Springs International Festival takes place about 20-miles west of Indio. San Diego is approximately 130 miles from Palm Springs, while Los Angeles is roughly the same distance. The area is home to golf courses, spas, tennis resorts, and other recreational activities.
Paso Robles
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“Paso Robles is the perfect blend of small-town charm and easy access to amenities you will find in big cities, topped off by a leisurely drive to some of California’s most coveted beaches, such as Cayucos, Avila, Pismo, and Big Sur,” Mark McConnell & Liz Lee, brokers at Heart to Heart Real EstateT+L. “One can select from a downtown bungalow to a sprawling home in rolling hills, vineyards or an inviting neighborhood.
We have been to the same place together Paso Robles We have visited the area many times and several of our favorites wineries are situated there. From Los Angeles it’s about the same distance as San Francisco. It’s a great place to eat, and we love walking around the downtown area and driving along scenic roads and winery hills. Niche According to the report, Paso Robles received a B- for its overall performance, with high marks given to public schools, diversity and family life. According to ZillowThe average home value in is $779.348, an increase of 2.5 percent over the last year.
McConnell & Lee said about Paso Robles, “Paso Robles has a strong sense of community with an historic town center filled with shopping, world-renowned wineries and a diverse culinary culture.” Paso Robles, with its affordable prices and thriving economy, is one of California’s best places to live.
Redondo Beach
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Redondo Beach, located in Southern California’s South Bay region, is about nine miles away from Los Angeles International Airport. The area offers miles and miles of beachfront as well as shopping, restaurants, a variety of housing options, and more. Redondo Beach, located centrally in the South Bay’s beloved ‘Bubble’ offers relaxed coastal living with a sense of community and connection with the ocean. Jamie WaryckBroker Associate with the JW Group. “This is an idyllic beach town that knows exactly how to combine small-town culture with big-time charm.”
Redondo Beach is the home of the BeachLife Music Festival, and the California Surf Club has now been established. This further solidifies its position as a modern hub in coastal California. Spend your days exploring Riviera Village, a pedestrian-friendly enclave filled with boutique shops, local art, and neighborhood-favorite restaurants, then head to the Redondo Pier for a sunset cocktail at Old Tony’s, or pop into Quality Seafood for fresh seafood with a side of nostalgia,” Waryck said.
Niche Redondo Beach receives an A+ for its highly rated schools, nightlife and family-friendly environment. Waryck told T+L, the city is divided in two distinct areas – North Redondo and South Redondo – “each having its own lifestyle and architecture charm.” North Redondo is a neighborhood with single-family homes and townhomes that are affordable, as well as newer construction. It also has easy access to the freeways. South Redondo is a coastal lifestyle, with classic beach cottages and mid-century gems. It also features sleek architecture, breathtaking ocean views, and stunning architecture. According to, the average home price in the city is $1.486,402. Zillow.
Sunnyvale
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Silicon Valley is located on the southernmost tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. Sunnyvale This family-friendly suburb is convenient to major employers, such as Apple. Google. LinkedIn. Meta. and Amazon. Shirley Frantz from Keller Williams Luxury Silicon Valley told T+L: “Sunnyvale has beautiful parks, great schools, is close to tech companies, as well as a wonderful climate.” Sunnyvale is a great place to live, but it’s not just because of its location in Silicon Valley and the sunshine all year round. It’s all about the people. It’s people.
Caltrain is available for public transport. There are also a number of eateries and shops in the downtown area. Sunnyvale, which is a commuter and traveler’s dream, is only a short distance from both San Jose airport and San Francisco. Santa Cruz offers local outdoor activities such as parks, hiking trails and biking trails.
Niche Sunnyvale receives an A+ overall grade with high marks in public schools, nightlife and family living. The median home value is $1,816,600. According to Zillow’s Sunnyvale’s average home value is $2,118.343.
Temecula
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“Temecula Valley is framed by majestic mountains with perfect weather year-round—mild weather in the winter and ocean breezes cooling the valley in the summer,” 40-year resident and realtor Nancy Hughes First Team Real Estate tells T+L: “Temecula There are many places to enjoy nature in the area, including the Santa Rosa Plateau, with its hiking trails, rare vernal pools, Lake Skinner, Dripping Springs, and six public golf courses. The coast is only an hour away, so you can easily drive to Carlsbad for a day on the beach, to attend a concert, play, or visit the San Diego Zoo.
Temecula is a destination for many visitors and residents. The wineries offer tours, restaurants, as well as stunning hills that are covered in rows and rows of vines. Hughes said that Temecula was a “beautifully designed community” with a rural feel. The Kaiser Development Master Plan was designed to create large areas with very low densities, hence the communities that have larger acreages. There are tracts ranging in price from $650,000 up to $1.2million, and communities with lots of 10 acres.
Niche According to the report, Temecula received a B+ overall, with high marks in public schools, diversity and family life. According to Zillow, The average home is worth $779,572, Realtor.com Shows homes and buildable lots in this range. Hughes noted that “home prices here are significantly less than those in coastal communities nearby, and the excellent school system has served to attract families who want a rural lifestyle rather than the urban ones they find in coastal towns and cities.”
Lodi
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The Central Valley town of San Joaquin County is about 25 miles south-east of Sacramento. “Lodi is a vibrant community, celebrated for its small-town charm and award-winning wineries,” according to Ryan Sherman, owner of Sherman & Associates Real Estate Co. “Residents also enjoy convenient access to downtown’s eclectic dining, boutique shopping, and farmers markets.” The historic downtown is home to a performing art center, Hutchins St. Square Pool, which is a multi-use aquatic facility that’s open all year round, as well as a number of arts classes.
Sherman, who is also the winemaker for, says that “locals enjoy diverse activities from exploring Lodi Lake to kayaking on Mokelumne River or attending cultural performances at Lodi art center or local theatres.” Fields Family Wines. More than 85 wineriesLodi has friendly tasting rooms, where visitors can taste more than 125 varieties, including Rhone-style and zinfandel wines.
Niche Lodi is given a B-plus overall rating. It has above-average schools, suburban atmosphere with lots of parks and a median house value of $468.800. Zillow estimates the average home’s value to be $528,604. Sherman states that “Lodi offers a variety of desirable neighborhoods such as Park West, Downtown Historic District and homes along picturesque Lodi Wine Trail which offer vineyard country lifestyle.”
San Diego
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San Diego would not be included on any list of best places to live California. It is popular with both residents and tourists. It is a near-perfect climate year-round, with mild winters and warm, dry summers. With a population San Diego, with a population of 1,404.452 people and an area of approximately 325 square mile, is a diverse, large city. There are many job opportunities in the defense, tourism, and telecommunications industries. The military is present at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base as well as other U.S. Navy locations.
Kim Ussery is a retired teacher and writer who lives in San Diego. She spent her high school and middle school years at Coronado. Hotel del Coronado. “Coronado is a town with a rich and varied history. We learned about its construction in the 7th grade. Ussery told T+L that the town is beautiful, with houses dating back to 1880s. “The annual flower show was one of my most fond memories growing up in Coronado. The library had a huge used book sale. On the last day, when it was 50 percent off, I would always leave with boxes of books. Ussery, her husband and their children moved to Palm Springs for teaching jobs but returned to San Diego when they retired. “We’re delighted to be back in San Diego to enjoy our home on Imperial Beach, the gardens, beaches and Balboa Park.”
San Diego is home to a diverse range of neighborhoods, housing types and prices. Niche Coronado receives an A+, and the median value of homes is $1.998,900. Inland Mission Valley has received an A+. Niche The median home value is $669,522. Overall, San Diego received a grade of A from NicheWith a median house value of $848.500, most people who choose San Diego can find a place that meets their needs. San Diego has a wide range of neighborhoods and towns, from the downtown area to the coast, inland and even in between, as well as single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.
Big Bear Lake
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Mountain or lakeside lovers will enjoy this. Big BearIt is about two-hours away from Los Angeles in the San Bernardino National Forest. Visitors and residents enjoy the pleasant summer temperatures of 80 degrees and snowy winters. They can go skiing, boating and fishing, or hiking, golfing and camping. Big Bear’s clear night skies are a delight for stargazers. The town also supports efforts to preserve dark skies and protect wildlife.
“Living year-round in Big Bear means that your everyday life begins to feel like an extended vacation,” Joel Cheek Sell Big Bear Real Estate said to T+L. You can go for a quick walk or paddle out onto the lake before work. You might go skiing, fish, or watch the sunset on your deck depending on the time of year. “Whether you live in the mountains or on the shores of a lake, the outdoors are always within walking distance, making every day an adventure.” Cheek continued, “Big Bear gives you all four seasons, endless outdoor activities, and a small-town community that really shows up for each other—especially if you take the time to get involved.”
Niche Big Bear Lake receives a B-plus overall and has highly rated schools. The median home price is $517,900. According to ZillowThe average home’s value is $577.912. There are a wide range of homes in different price ranges. These include rustic cabins, rustic single-family houses, condos, and townhouses. I’ve enjoyed weekend getaways in Big Bear, especially their Oktoberfest celebration. Cheek asked, “Why wouldn’t you want live in a city where thousands of tourists vacation every month?” I couldn’t be more in agreement.
