Top Cheap Cities in California with Friendly People and that don't have absurd crime statistics

I am looking for a city in California to relocate. I am not looking for anything in Los Angeles or San Francisco.

I don't mind the neighborhood, as long as its not a straight ghetto like some parts of Compton or expensive like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Examples of stuff I am considering, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Ocean Side.

Feel free to throw out any cities in Northern Nevada, Washington too.

6 Comments
 

Bakersfield, Fresno/Clovis, Sacramento, Modesto, etc. in the valley should be where to look. SLO isn't exactly cheap but is definitely cheaper than SF/LA. My ex-wife lived in the valley and to be completely honest, there aren't that many high-paying jobs and IB/PE/HF is non-existent.

 

I went to Cal Poly SLO and there isn't much job opportunity in finance (or high paying jobs in general). I did a few internships at no-name firms and tier 3ish firms because that's really all that exists. The city itself is great - it's a complete college town, you will meet people at the bars 4/5 days a week, but high-paying jobs are not common.

Sacramento is also an "up and coming town" even though I hate that term. There is definitely opportunity and it isn't too expensive. Pretty good location (to SF/Tahoe).

I personally don't like Fresno but I met quite a few people from Fresno in college and most of them seemed to love it.

 

SAC isn't too bad at all. Fresno is massive now but definitely doesn't have a lot of nice people. SAC is probably the best "cheap" area to get a finance job without having to live by the coast or LA/SF/SD.

 

I just want a job that pays about 45k and location where I can do my thing. I want rent to be under Under $1000 and under $900 if possible.

**How is my grammar? Drop me a note with any errors you see!**
 
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