You might be hard-pressed to find the cheapest places to live in California, with the state’s median home value at $578,267 and the median one-bedroom rent at $2,657 per month. Show
That doesn’t mean, however, the entire Golden State is out of reach. As everywhere, there are affordable places to live in California, which can be paramount if you’re on the move and repaying student loans. 7 cheapest places to live in California (that are actually cool)If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest place to live in California, you won’t find it on this list. That’s because the absolute cheapest cities aren’t all that desirable: They suffer from high crime rates, extreme heat, soaring unemployment — and in many cases, all three. So, instead, this list offers up some of the cheapest places to live in California — that you might actually want to move to. 1. Eureka 1. EurekaThe gold rush might be long over, but people are still heading to Eureka, located just a few hours south of the Oregon border. With a wonderful location on the coast and near several national forests, natural beauty is abundant here. In the center of the city, you’ll find “Old Town,” a historic neighborhood with hundreds of Victorian buildings. Employment pickings are on the slim side, with most jobs in tourism or health care.
2. Oxnardhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BaXu9Gonox0/ Want SoCal’s beaches without SoCal prices? Then try this city just about an hour north of Los Angeles. Located directly on the Pacific, it has 20 miles of coastline. The ocean is certainly the biggest draw, offering up activities like kayaking, surfing and whale watching. Major industries here include commercial fishing and agriculture.
3. RedlandsLess than two hours from Los Angeles lies Redlands, the heart of what’s known as the “IE” (Inland Empire) — not generally an affectionate nickname. But Redland’s got some things going for it, including its outdoor amphitheater, killer brewery and easy access to parks and mountains. With the local University of Redlands, much of the area’s job opportunities are in education.
4. ChicoHome to Chico State University, this college town is located nearly 90 miles north of Sacramento. The city boasts great weather, an attractive downtown and nearby hiking. You’re not too far from the ocean, either; definitely close enough for a weekend jaunt. In addition to education, health care is a major industry. And don’t forget about Sierra Nevada, among the largest craft brewers in the country — it’s based here, too.
5. TemeculaWine lovers, rejoice and head to this city between L.A. and San Diego. A paradise for leisure seekers, it has more than 40 wineries, multiple golf courses and the largest casino in California. For residents, there are also two weekly farmers markets and a historic downtown area. In addition to tourism, major employers include the school district.
6. ClovisSmack dab in the center of the state sits Clovis — which means it’s a short drive from everything: beaches, mountains, forest and other cities. Summers are hot, but residents appreciate its charming downtown, good schools, friendly population and low cost of living.
7. VacavilleJust 55 miles from San Francisco lies the laid-back town of Vacaville. Although probably a little far to commute (hello, traffic), living here offers an affordable way to be close to the Bay. Shopping lovers will be happy; not only is there a historic downtown full of shops, there’s also an outlet mall with 120 premium stores. The highest-paying industries here are in mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction.
Are you on the move while repaying student loans?If you’ve always dreamt of moving west, these relatively affordable cities to live in California could help make your dreams come true. They could also help you wrangle your student loan debt. Yes, moving while repaying education debt is possible. Before you zero in on one of the cities listed above, however, ensure that …
Also, keep in mind that your location isn’t everything when it comes to student loans. You don’t have to move to change your federal student loan repayment plan, for instance, or refinance your private student loans to a lower interest rate. Don’t forget loan repayment strategies that won’t require a new address either. Andrew Pentis contributed to this report. Need a student loan?Here are our top student loan lenders of 2022!
Where is the cheapest and nicest place to live in California?10 Most Affordable Places to Live in California. Eureka. Eureka is a small town located just south of the border of Oregon. ... . Redlands. A slightly larger town is Redlands, which is less than two hours from Los Angeles. ... . Chico. ... . Temecula. ... . Oxnard. ... . Vacaville. ... . Camarillo. ... . Blythe.. What city in California has the lowest cost of living?Cheapest Places to Live in California. Kern City.. Casa Loma.. Southgate.. Lakeview.. Park Stockdale.. Benton Park.. Oleander Sunset.. What is the cheapest but safest place to live?10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world. Czech Republic.. Bulgaria.. Albania.. Portugal.. Costa Rica.. Panama.. Mexico.. Thailand.. |