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What Are the Best Places to Live in California for Young Adults in 2022?

Posted in City Guides on May 16, 2022

California has always been an exciting place that attracts plenty of young people. If you’re among the lucky ones who plan on relocating to The Golden State, you must be wondering what the best places to live in California for young adults are. You won’t have this dilemma for much longer – we have gathered all the necessary info on this topic. Check out our list of the seven most popular spots – one of them might become your home.

Deciding where to live is one of the most important decisions a person has to make – for most Americans, this decision is made more than a few times in life. Even though organizing relocations is a difficult and exhausting task, moves undoubtedly bring a breath of fresh air and a change of pace, especially if you move to a new state. If that state happens to be California, we believe you won’t be making a relocation mistake.

Are You Looking for One of the Best Places to Live in California for Young Adults? You’re in the Right Place

As we all know, California is one of the most amazing states, and every young adult would be lucky to live here – but how do you pick the small town or a city to settle in? When it comes to making this decision, we have to tell you – there isn’t only one answer. The perfect spot for a home depends on many factors that you must consider before finally preparing for long-distance movers and booking their cross-country moving services. Let’s take a look at the most important ones.

The current cost of living

Obviously, this can be a deal-breaker for plenty of places, and you must carefully consider whether your relocation budget can survive the move. It’s also wise to keep in mind that you shouldn’t spend all the money you have on the relocation costs – remember, there are always more things to do after the move.

Job opportunities

If you don’t get a job before the move, the current state of the job market is of utmost importance to you. Luckily, Cali is full of possibilities in most areas, but some neighborhoods are still better than others.

Safety and crime rates

This is something you should always pay attention to when relocating, especially if you are about to move with kids or plan on having children in the near future.

Educational possibilities

The Golden State is home to some of the best universities, and if you’re coming here for educational purposes, your choice probably won’t be so hard. For those who have kids, paying attention to the proximity of great schools should be one of the key factors that will decide where you should move.

Amenities, culture, and personal preferences

We don’t need to tell you much about this. When you think about a certain area, can you picture yourself living there? Does the place have enough interesting amenities and benefits to it?

Los Angeles – One of the Best Beach Cities That Offers So Much to Its Young Residents

When you hear California, you automatically think of Los Angeles. One of the most interesting cities in the world, Los Angeles certainly has a lot to offer. Don’t think that this place is only great for Instagram influencers or aspiring actors – there are many thriving industries in LA, and finding a new job after relocating should be a fun experience.

You will improve your professional life and still have plenty of time to have fun – nightlife and partying in LA are excellent, as one would expect. Enjoying beach days and soaking in the strong Cali sun will quickly make you fall in love with LA – trust us, you won’t have to worry about depression after relocating.

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The Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Young Professionals

Where do young professionals live in Los Angeles? Or, if you are a really young professional, where do most 20-year-olds live in LA? Well, pretty much all over the city, but there are a few areas that are considered the best LA neighborhoods for young professionals – here they are:

  • Downtown,
  • Westwood,
  • Silver Lake,
  • Playa Del Rey,
  • Echo Park,
  • Culver City,
  • Los Feliz,
  • Venice Beach,
  • West Hollywood,
  • Ocean Park.

Even though there are plenty of fabulous neighborhoods in LA, it’s wise to remember that LA is one of the less affordable cities. Every new resident should know that the median price of a home is around $640,000, and the median rent is approximately $1,450 – this is pretty okay for CA, you must admit. The prices start to make sense as soon as you grasp the benefits of relocating to such a fantastic city.

View of the street in Los Angeles with palms and skyscrapers
What are the best areas to live in Los Angeles for young professionals?

Berkeley – An Education Hub With a Lot of Amenities You Will Love

Where is the best place for young adults to live while studying? We can’t think of anything better than Berkeley – the hometown of the prestigious Berkeley University, known for its excellent engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, law, and business programs. The population of Berkeley is around 121,000, and most of the residents tend to rent their homes – about 57% of them. The rent isn’t the most affordable in the area – the median price is around $1,700, but the city is more than worth every cent. The community that awaits you here is diverse and welcoming.

Things to Do in Berkeley, California

Berkeley isn’t all about studying – it’s an excellent entertainment center where you can experience great nightlife and culture. There are plenty of bars, clubs, galleries, and theaters to check out, and the food scene is top-notch, with countless great restaurants. You can’t stay hungry here – take a look at this video for a food tour of Berkey.

Sacramento – The State’s Capital With a High Quality of Life

You must be wondering – where is the most affordable place to live in California? If you’re seeking an affordable home in a nice area where you can enjoy a pleasant life, Sacramento should definitely be on your shortlist. Prepare your relocation essentials, and don’t forget to learn a few valuable long-distance moving tips – it’s time to move to the capital of CA.

Moving Cross Country to Sacramento Can Never Be a Bad Idea – It’s a Safe City Where You Can Live Comfortably

Sacramento has the highest quality of life index in CA, which says a lot when you see how many excellent areas there are in this part of the country. Crime rates are relatively low – as low as they can be for a big city like Sacramento, with a population of 500,000. That, in combination with an urban-suburban mix feel of the neighborhoods, makes this an excellent home for families with children. It’s also pretty convenient that the schools are above average here.

As a result of the decent cost of living, you won’t have to choose between paying for necessities and leisure – you will be able to have both. There are many great bars, galleries, shops, and theaters to enjoy, plus the restaurant scene is extremely diverse. All these amenities will be easily accessible to you if you decide to live in this capital where the median rent is only $1,250 – you can’t find better prices for such a good location and climate.

View of the buildings in Sacramento
Sacramento is a safe haven for families where the cost of living is quite accessible

Mountain View – An Excellent Town in the Heart of the Bay Area

Located in the heart of The Bay and near the center of Silicon Valley, this area with about 80,000 residents is one of the most popular regions for ambitious professionals, and it’s known for its high percentage of younger people. Mountain View offers brilliant possibilities for college graduates who can bloom in their field in a great environment. One of the great benefits of residing in this town include low crime rates, and the median household income is more than double the national median value.

View of the City Hall in Mountain View
Mountain View boasts a range of professional opportunities for its residents

Irvine – The Top-Rated City in Orange County

For years, Irvine has been on top of most lists of the greatest cities in Orange County and Cali in general. We would suggest this for basically everybody, regardless of whether you’re looking to improve your career or start a family. Although college graduates can’t expect salaries as high as in Mountain View and the rest of Silicon Valley, the money is quite good. When it comes to crime rates, they are pretty low. If you’re wondering what the renting situation is like, here is some info to add to your relocation binder – you should be prepared to set aside around $2,350 for rent every month. For those who aspire to become homeowners, it’s good to know that the median house value is approximately $840,000.

View of Irvine after cross country moving
You will like Irvine - its residents have a great quality of living, and the area is lovely

Santa Clara – A Tech Hub With Excellent Job Opportunities

Santa Clara is another fabulous part of Silicon Valley – that being said, it’s obvious that this community is a very attractive one for tech professionals and recent college graduates. There is a great number of tech headquarters located here, and that contributes to a high household income – around $126,000. You won’t find a lack of students here as well, thanks to Santa Clara University, which brings plenty of new people and adds to the region’s diversity. Entertainment opportunities for the young are also excellent, with a great number of interesting venues, restaurants, museums, and parks (great for those relocating with pets).

Buildings on Santa Clara University campus
Santa Clara is a diverse and lively community with a lot of students

San Francisco – City of Possibilities

Last but not least on our list is the magnificent center of The Bay, San Francisco. We all know and love the attractions that SF offers, and you are probably already familiar with everything that it has to offer. Some of the most common reasons to move here include the beautiful scenery, excellent climate, and great job opportunities, which help to make SF one of the Americans’ favorite cities. The population is around 840,000, with more people coming every day.

San Francisco Is Great for Entertainment

If you’re looking for an upbeat, exciting pace, this might be the perfect spot. With amazing nightlife and bars, coffee shops, and restaurants, San Francisco is rightfully considered the greatest choice for spending your youth. When you get used to SF, it’s hard to leave it. Don’t waste time – start preparing for the move and book relocation and packing services. Just don’t forget to stay clear of relocation scams and make sure you choose a legitimate relocation company for your move.

View of the houses in a row in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful places to move to

With Reliable Cross-Country Movers, Your Relocation Will Be Pleasant

Moving across the country is not an easy task to pull off, but it is far from impossible. If you want to make sure that your move goes smoothly and stress-free, the wisest thing you can do is find reputable cross-country movers to help you out. With a great team by your side, all of your belongings will be safely packed and loaded onto the truck, and the relocation day will stay a happy memory you will cherish for years to come.

Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.

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