Inexpensive Cities in California

Overview of a handful of cities within the state that are affordable, even when compared to other states that are considered cheap. If you are interested in finding a place in California that is not crazy expensive, check out the cities mentioned in this video.
Check out my main channel Geography King for more geography content
/ geographyking
0:00 Intro
1:25 Eureka
3:10 Redding
4:28 Chico
5:45 Clearlake
8:02 Sacramento
9:36 Fresno
11:01 Visalia
12:28 Banning
13:46 Outro

[@CommentLikeDescribe]

Fun fact: I believe Redding is one of the hottest summer temp cities in the USA at its latitude.

[@ufomammut2557]

I drove through Redding 2ish years ago heading home to the Bay Area. It was 2am and it was F*CKING 97 DEGREES OUTSIDE.

[@douglassnyder9612]

Very hot! Also known as "the other Alabama" and "Worlds Largest Truckstop". There is fire danger here also... Religious Cults have moved in and now control the Redding Convention Center.

[@pcatful]

When I was a kid we were going to relocate further inland for my dad’s job. I still remember how hot it seemed to us in Redding when we went house shopping. Redding and Banning became a NO, and we ended up in Upland, which was pretty nice in the end. My Dad had to do more driving for his work.

[@cassiepatrick581]

Yeah, Redding temperatures vary 20 degrees to 120 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. We get snow, lots of rain, sunshine and heat.😁☺️ Not a place for those that can’t stand significant heat from June to October. Sometimes even May is hot.

[@rayb.6537]

I believe Death Valley might top that.

[@PAINTuRED]

I will always love California

[@LEFTaTIP]

Great to see someone take pride in our great State of California. Just for that I will give this video a big LIKE.

[@solarwinds-]

It is a great state.

[@thegratefulzebra2126]

I love it here and will NEVER leave! 🐻💛💙🐻

[@LEFTaTIP]

@@thegratefulzebra2126 TY Grateful Zebra. Yes its expensive to live in but where can you surf, hike in the Mtns, Backpacking tugged areas camping.... Go skiing, go dune buggy riding or even boating in your lake of choice or deep sea fishing... All withing a relative 30 in to an hours drive...with mostly great weather Best thing its mostly free...

[@63artemisia63]

@LEFTaTIP Notice that the “guy” you called “someone” doesn’t move his eyes or forehead? His shoulders or arms? In fact, the whole lower half of his face (not including his nose) stays the same. He’s trying to tell us something, besides inexpensive places to live in California.

[@trentcalfee7646]

I can’t in good conscience recommend anyone even set foot in Barstow 😅

[@pamelaportland1286]

Barstow is scary. I lived on the army base there for 3 years.

[@TJ-zf9cv]

My theory on Barstow is the mule died. They were stranded. It was dig a well or die!

[@LaraSierra28]

I was raised in Visalia (pop then: 15,000) and feel blessed to have grown up feasting on the abundance of the local farms and ranches. (There was so much, in fact, that it was not uncommon to wake up to boxes of extra produce, too ripe for shipping, left on our doorsteps by friends in the ag business.) In addition to that we had Sequoia/Kings Canyon as our back yard, so every weekend we were up hiking among the world's most magnificent trees and peaks. I noticed that Visalia was recently voted one of the friendliest towns in California by a top travel site. It's nice to see this charming little town get the recognition it deserves.

[@markmasi5219]

Not sure what years you were there, but I attended COS mid 70s and they were some of my best memories. Loved that city back then.

[@alfonsoarmendariz1416]

People are so quick to move to other states for housing cost ,political ideology etc,but there's nowhere like Cali ,beaches ,mountains, lakes and the best weather anywhere in the world

[@MrHandsomeboynow]

I used to say that, and then realized we never visit those places. I personally do not care at all for the natural destinations, when every day I’m confronted by drug addicts and libs. And the summers are hot as shit. Just not worth it for me.

[@rs1107]

@@MrHandsomeboynow 👌Nope, CA Coast Is Perfect👌

[@jonmurraymurray5512]

@MrHandsomeboynow I left Texas because seems like everyone was a cruel republican. What's your real problem?

[@shaynewhite1]

I'm from Northern California originally so I've been to all these places except Banning. The reason they're less expensive than the Bay Area/L.A./San Diego is the weather. Eureka is often windy, foggy, damp, similar to the Pacific Northwest. Everywhere else is hot as blazes in the summer. Prepare to be living at Jamba Juice for half the year in order to survive. I remember going to an event in Redding in August and the daytime temp was like 108-112.

[@le_th_]

I live up in Berkeley, but Banning is between Palm Springs and Riverside. I drive through there sometimes when I drive down to Coachella. Place is fire even in April. You've made very points, and you didn't even mention the inability to often get home owner's insurance due to wildfire risk or the poor air quality in many of the rural communities.

[@TerryAnnOnline]

Right. But he mentioned Californians are moving to Phoenix and Texas. Those places are hotter than Northern California.

[@JBoy340a]

Much worse in other places. At least the humidity is down. Our family in Austin has to endure months of 100s with high humidity. It hardly gets any cooler even in the middle of the night. A/C was running 24/7 for 3 months last year. I don't every remember doing this when I lived in Fresno.

[@kimm5555]

I live in Eureka and I concur with your assessment. It's more affordable than other parts of California but definitely going up. Not many career choices here unless you work for local govt and medical is subpar.

[@TeutonicTribe]

@@JBoy340a True- Texas heat IS intense and maintains all through the night & doesn't cool down like in the West/ Southwest evenings until the shoulder seasons.

[@momcatx2]

So happy you skipped right over my little gem of a small valley town. We would love for it to stay on the small side.

[@veronicahutchinson4580]

I get that :)! I hope wherever you are stays that way!

[@megansfo]

I'm an old native San Franciscan who now lives in a small town north of Seattle. Moved up here 18 years ago from Sebastopol. Ironically, I live above another, smaller Clearlake WA. My house here was half the price of my Seattle house. If you can stand the overcast weather its a great place. Still, I long for California at times.

[@stevens1041]

Is all of San Francisco up near Seattle area? I’m from San Francisco too, haha

[@leestamm3187]

I know your area well, having lived in Everett for 24 years and Stanwood for 6 years. We happily retired in 2009 to Kennewick in southeastern Washington. Cheaper housing, cost of living, etc., and vastly better weather. Less greenery, but the abundant sunshine more than compensates. It's a great area for retirees.

[@chinaboss6683]

Have you been to Aurora ave where the snow bunnies walk the boulevard? 😂

[@JBoy340a]

@@leestamm3187 is there much to do out there. I did a work trip to the tri-cities once and all the homes were leftover government. And the did not seem to much industry there not related to the government or farming.

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

are you in Sedro Wooley?

[@GaryInSoCal]

Fresno is really 'Hotter than Hell' from June thru September, easily 4 months over 100 degrees EVERY DAY... with July and August at 110+ EVERY DAY thru-out both those months.

[@JBoy340a]

Spent a lot of time in Fresno. At least it is not humid. My relatives in Austin on suffering through 100-degree days and high 90 nights with humidity in the 80-90% range. The A/C has to be kept set low to get rid of the humidity, so it runs nearly 24/7.

[@mylenpimentel5826]

Fresno is hot on summer but it is not humid . Fruits and vegetables are in abundance!

[@paulsanchez214]

Yes, Fresno is hot, but it is absolutely not hotter than Texas or even Oklahoma, not to mention NV or AZ.

[@effentjes]

I have lived in Banning since 1999 and the situation right now is horrendous. The surrounding rural areas are being developed with bedroom communities and large distribution warehouses. The roads cannot absorb the growth in population. Currently, the number of trucks on the 10 freeway has tripled, and it takes 25 minutes to travel from Banning to adjacent Beaumont via the main road. The only new businesses coming to town are fast food restaurants, dollar stores, and automotive shops. It takes close to 2 hours to get to my daughter in Long Beach and that is on a Saturday. No, Banning, is not quite the quality of living that one imagines here. It did have a small town vibe and a little bit of a community sense, mostly working class, years ago, but that has changed rapidly. There are persistent rumors of corruption in how Banning and Beaumont handle their affairs.

[@jazziered142]

I lived in Banning in the early '80s, and it was nothing to speak of. I worked at the San Gorgonio Inn and at the Wheel Inn. I heard they tore down the San Gorgonio Inn, that is kind of sad. I would never live there again. Ever!

[@davidhadden-ii5hs]

I have family in Redding and Clear lake.There are no jobs there period.....Redding is hotter than hell everyday in June, July ,and August......If your house doesn't have A C, your in trouble.......

[@califdad4]

And in the winter Redding is very cold and even sometimes gets snow, and too far up the Sacramento river to get delta breezes in the summer nights

[@MissAnn-xu9oo]

No economic development means it's also dangerous. That's what wrong with towns like Stockton....

[@califdad4]

@@MissAnn-xu9oo Stockton is mostly bad in the bad areas that most people stay away from those bad areas, there's a lot of money in Stockton and some very nice neighborhoods

[@MissAnn-xu9oo]

@@califdad4 It does but there is little to no industry.

[@flamesniper126]

I agree. Clearlake is like a town lost in time

[@deborahwilliams3176]

There is a big difference between North, Central, and Southern California. As a native, I see the North/Central and South as completely different states. Southern California is unique to the rest of the country, price included.

[@megabyte01]

Counterpoint on Clear Lake and Lake County: it has next to no job opportunities. The county is very rural, so you'll need to spend a lot on gas to get anywhere. My family only moved to lake county because it was the only place my dad could find work as a teacher in Middletown, before middletown was destroyed by a wildfire. I packed up and left for Chico almost twenty years ago for school and stayed after I got a job here.

[@jakewalk96]

Great video as always! I always thought that the cities in the Central Valley were underrated. As another Californian living far away, I’m still California Dreaming!

[@ankhpom9296]

The Central Valley, you need to be aware of the water quality.

[@nadogrl]

@@ankhpom9296- What water?

[@candles6103]

@@ankhpom9296Tf you talking about? You know what keep saying the waters bad cause then people wont come and move here and raise the prices 😂

[@chefnyc]

I love Mediterrean climate, the only climate with dry summers and wet winters. Seattle was too rainy for me, and LA is too hot/dry. I wish there was a medium size city near CA/OR border. Also I have been to half of these cities during a road trip. They are really nice. Buying fresh fruits in Fresno is priceless. Much better than tasteless stuff that is harvested raw and ripens during transport..

[@timlong9913]

Medford?

[@davidwang4364]

A Mediterranean climate does not have wet winters. In Southern California we get very little rain.

[@timlong9913]

@@davidwang4364 Per Wikipedia: "Such climates typically have dry summers and wet winters, with summer conditions ranging from warm to hot and winter conditions typically being mild to cool." Note: Not wet like a rainforest, but wet relative to the summer.

[@chefnyc]

@@davidwang4364 Med. climate is a spectrum. The wet season can be short/long or can have little or a lot of rain. But it's always in winter months. LA is indeed very dry with 360mm of rain and 80% of it happens between Dec-March. Compare this to Wilmington, NC on the east coast with similar latitude. Only 25% of the precipitation in during Dec-March months.

[@jazziered142]

I went to Cresent City last September for vacation, Did the coast from Santa Cruz up, and I would really love to move there. I know it's not the greatest city in the world, but you're right next to the Redwoods and the ocean. It's beautiful.

[@Mickolas9]

I'm new to Visalia, and I agree this city is a hidden gem!

[@finchman1]

I agree. I lived in Visalia for about 12 years and still think it’s one of nicest cities in the San Joaquin Valley.

[@carlc5748]

Do you ever see any old classic cars from the 1960's, with the Black and yellow calif. plates, that start with the letter "I" ? As a kid in 1968, they were all over Visalia.

[@sarahm3896]

You’re joking right? Visalia is a dump. Visalia is the new Fresno

[@chadharris705]

Anywhere in the valley is a dump

[@helenkotowske3829]

​@@chadharris705so you can afford a million dollar house on the coast or a $700,000house in a bad area of a coastal city?

[@AlexCab_49]

Of all these, Eureka/Arcata gets my attention because of redwoods, coastal weather and the remoteness but I also have heard it's rough up there and there aren't many jobs so I'd probably have to start a business if I were to move there

[@RandomRabbit007]

Or have a WFH lined up

[@califdad4]

It's way too damp for me

[@carlc5748]

Yes, you are spot on! A childhood friend of mine lived in Eureka, from about 1990-2020. In fact one of the victorian looking houses in the ad for houses for sale, looked like my friend's former house. If you move there, you better buy earthquake insurance there. I told that to my friend when I went to visit him, in 2009, to buy earthquake insurance on his house, and I guess he did, because when I saw him there in 2017, he showed me all of the renovations that he did, because of earthquake damage.

[@seaneendelong8065]

It is both wonderful in natural beauty- And horrible in the masses of drugs and grime and willful homeless AND GROW OP DANGERS. In town are filth and crime and sketch everything everywhere. Outside of town or on the fringes are scary people in those woods, strangers on your property, and tweaker trash everywhere. Also very important to understand the cultural hostilities and extremes, from radical woke left to fanatical right libertarian, and very VERY little of moderate non combative types anywhere. So schools, businesses, government, events, organizations are a constant tightrope and tense vibe everywhere.

[@ricecristi]

It’s also a 5 hour drive to SF and 8 hrs to Portland (so don’t think family will come visit, it’s a serious trek to an airport)

[@bfrick4167]

I’m really loving California View in addition your main channel, Kyle. Your thoughtful and intelligent perspective makes you a rare gem! Thank you ✌️

[@user-hs6dc3wt9s]

RE: Santa Cruz Area for renters Hi Kyle and others, My hubby and I moved to a small city just south of Santa Cruz to retire. We first lived in a one bedroom, 20 unit building for 4 yrs (2014 - 2018). The rent started at $1200 then went to $1695. That last year was really tough. But we were selected into an affordable senior only complex. Now, we have been very happy living in a spacious 2 bedroom (720 square. ft.) Starting at $900mo. Now, $1295 but worth it. For seniors and those in the medical it's a great place to live for those in the medical profession. The local hospitals are in dire need of RNs. And other supporting clinics, physical therapy, mental heath are booming. If you live out of the area, seniors can apply for affordable housing here. It would be important to call the facilities you apply, periodically. My hubby called every month until we were selected. So, this might be helpful for some. Love & kindness, CL ByTheSeashore

[@a.j.santiago303]

Kyle, the Geography King, with a second channel? That's awesome! As a former New Yorker living in Florida now, I'm realizing this isn't quite the place for me. Too hot, too many tourists, zero geographical variety, deceivingly expensive. I ain't returning to NY and I've always desired to live out west, but Cali seems wildly out of price range. However, I would gladly consider places like Sacramento or Fresno, large cities for sure but not wildly so. Great video and thanks for the info!

[@kate2create738]

Just FYI the central valley is still hot, dry, but HOT. Think over 100F, just want to give you a heads up that those areas are not really that much of a trade off, just less humid. If you are looking for someplace reasonably priced yet decent weather, around Lake County are other hidden gems that are not as affected by the opioids. Try looking into Sonoma County that is close to Napa but much easier weather, roughly 75F almost all year round, not too dry but not crazy humid. Close to Portland weather imo. Probably a little pricier than Lake County, but certain areas are not outrageous like Napa or other highly expensive areas in California. Likely easier to get a decent job there too as they have a better economy than half of the cities listed in this video imo.

[@a.j.santiago303]

@@kate2create738 Thank you for the info.

[@MrKim-kv2vv]

Many of the inland lower foothills cities are still good bets, depending on your work. Having said that, many have been built as building bedroom communities where buyers have a 2 hour one way commute to the coastal jobs.

[@sirnik84]

Lake County kid here (living in Sacramento now). Nice to see it make the list. The west side of the lake is very nice and with less of the impact of the opioids. Kelseyville is a very nice town.

[@antoinettelashonda113]

I’m not going to read the comments cause I know they are a mess. Great video, I think you hit a lot of key points. I moved to Texas for 3 years, one of the worst mistakes of my life. Left there and moved to Nevada, job market sucks, cool place to visit. I’m back in California, working and living in Anaheim. Yes things are expensive but my daughter is in a great school in Cypress. You know the vibe in Orange County.

[@mritzs5142]

I left LA glad about that..but moved to Texas (grew up there hated it then ) hate it now gotta get out!,

[@kishanabear]

Thank you for this post!

[@r.s.4672]

Thanks for this video from a fellow Californian. You have a great, dry sense of humor and really tell it like it is. 😆

[@WalfredoCirne]

Great video! Thanks!!

[@jemportal4166]

Thank you so much for this video, you taught me a lot!

[@user-fm9pu9bc3m]

Im living in Hidden valley Lake, lake county. Its about 20 minutes from Clearlake 40 minutes to Calistoga. Gated community 24 hour security, private lake, golf course and community pool. Love it and prices are very reasonable.

[@BiolleyBuzz]

Thank you!!! This is great info!

[@TheNetwork650]

Great info Kyle👍🏼👍🏼

[@le_th_]

I've lived in coastal Cali now since 1997 (8 years in Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach/Playa del Rey, and 19 years in Berkeley/SF/Oakland). The people who are fleeing to bigger cities outside of California (like Phoenix or Austin) do so for job opportunities, mostly, and because they enjoy living in a busy metropolitain area and not small or rural areas. Crime in California is another huge issue, as well as the drug problem that is often fueling the crime. Most everywhere you mention, aside from Sacramento, has very few &/or low paying jobs, plus high crime, AND rural drug problems, as well as an inability to get home owners insurance due to fire, and poor air quality. Combine all those problems together and you develop an understanding of why the real estate is so cheap there. I've never watched any of your videos before this one, but you don't seem to have any understanding of the difficult *thousands and thousands* of home owners are having getting home owners insurance (and I'm talking right in the multi-million dollars homes in Montclair Oakland, not up in wildfire country). Before anyone considers *any area of California*, you had better call multiple insurance companies FIRST and find out if you can even get homeowners insurance in that town/city. This is not an exaggeration. I've never seen California in the state it has been in since 2019-2020, and I mean both LA and SF and many, many cities I travel to all over this state are having drug/crime issues. Here is the truly salient point, though. What are you accustomed to??? If you've lived most of your life in Manhattan (NY), LA, and San Francisco, DC, or other major cities, it is *extremely* hard to downgrade from that kind of lifestyle. If you were born and raised in podunksville, you may move to a small or mid-sized city and be content. It all depends on what lifestyle people want. If they want a huge metropolitan area, rural isn't going to work for them, and vice versa.

[@davidwang4364]

Right . . . . Nobody should even think about moving to Southern California unless they make a household income of at very least $125,000 to $150,000 a year. Any less and you will bitch and moan and blame Caifornia. My advice, stay away from California. We don't need or want you here.

[@CarolineOceanaRyan999]

Great info -- thanks so much! 😊👍

[@56Sheckles]

I stayed in eureka. It’s beautiful

[@califdad4]

Sometimes. But people living there sometimes have vacation homes just over the coastal range to get in some sun during the long grey weather period

[@le_th_]

Visiting is one thing...earning a living and creating a life somewhere is entirely different.

[@SteveSorgatz]

Nice analysis. You nailed it.

[@max7143]

I work for the Larger Utility Company in Ca, and have been traveling everywhere for almost 20 years. I named almost all those cities before you did lol. I will add, Oroville, Yuba City/ Marysville, Grass Valley, Los Banos and Bakersfield. All are very nice towns. I would take off Clear Lake though. Opioids are on their way out, but are still present, and it’s old communities with no real industry in the area. I’d add Ukiah on the list, but that area has gotten expensive. But yes, no idea why people are moving out of state. We have more usable open space than anywhere east of the Rockies.

[@helenkotowske3829]

You still can't escape the highest taxes in the country, more regulations, restrictive laws, the highest gas prices and utility prices no matter where you live in California.

[@shellz-ts6td]

@@helenkotowske3829 One woman's regulations are another woman's protections, taxes are not the highest in California, our air is much cleaner now thanks to more expensive fuel additives and utility rates have increased everywhere. Can you tell I love my State? A fifth generation Californian who's not going anywhere (unless trump gets re-elected, then I'll probably leave the country).

[@shellz-ts6td]

Have a friend who just bought a place in beautiful Grass Valley, almost didn't get their loan approved due to difficulties obtaining insurance. So many companies not writing here anymore. State Farm said they would start insuring again as soon as the state passed laws making it easier for them to raise rates, ain't that nice of them?

[@Miacheri]

Born and raised in Fresno. Some perks : Close in proximity to major metropolitan cities, to the beach, to the mountains, to Vegas…access to fresh produce, great for real estate since it’s reasonably priced and great for raising a family. Cons: Air quality, SWELTERING hot Summers, bad fog in the Winters, crime in low income areas, not much of a city life, small art/creative scene, small town mentality with the community and a lack of community “leaders”. That city has all the tools for success but unfortunately not the best leaders to grow the city to its potential.

[@JuanVasquezhasreturned]

I would say that Visalia is a better version of Fresno. It's smaller, but it's much safer, and has a lot of the benefits that Fresno has (except a CSU or international airport).

[@Miacheri]

@@JuanVasquezhasreturned I would agree. I lived in Visalia for a bit as a teen. It’s grown tremendously and in a good way. It also has that small town feeling but the people are super laid back and kind.

[@vjmotano835]

@@JuanVasquezhasreturnedVisalia is much smaller not much safer. The only time I’ve had a gun pulled on me was in Visalia off bridge street.

[@JuanVasquezhasreturned]

@@vjmotano835 Um it is much safer. If you got a gun pulled on you in Visalia, then you would have gotten a rocket launcher pulled on you in Fresno. I'm not trying to downplay your bad experience, but it's silly to say that Fresno is at the same safety level as Visalia. That's obviously not true, and Visalia is a much safer city.

[@vjmotano835]

@@JuanVasquezhasreturned safe until you wear red or blue. Then it turns into a danger zone.

[@sfhayesvalley]

Your comments were spot-on accurate. Thanks for reminding us of all that California has to offer. FresNo? FresYES! Food and arts scene are coming along nicely. And the PRODUCE! There are a million people in Fresno County!!

[@jdos5643]

Fresno gets a bad rap. But I go to Fresno a lot and it is actually a beautiful city overall. Nice and green and big forest trees line up the streets. It has a big city vibe and lots of amenities. If ppl cannot afford the bay but don’t want to leave California, they should consider Fresno. It’s growing and so Is the tech coding companies there.

[@sarahm3896]

Fresno is ghetto

[@oscarvenegas2420]

Great content! I feel this video was tailor made for me!! Trying to leave San Diego to a more affordable, retiree friendly city without leaving the state as you highlighted in this video. Redding and Chico look appealing for my needs.

[@Mightyluna]

Redding and Chico are extremely hot during the summer (100+ temps). Seriously like an inferno. Very different from the climate in San Diego. Just wanted to point that because I don't think Kyle made that clear in the video. With the exception of Eureka and Arcata, all the cities he mentioned are infernos during the summer.

[@carriekay5987]

Great video!

[@ztl2505]

I thought the thumbnail looked oddly familiar. Glad to stumble on this channel.

[@bfcox2000]

Thank you - that opened my eyes

[@TMendocino]

In March 2024, the median listing home price in Eureka, CA was $454.5K, trending up 3.3% year-over-year. And there are NO jobs The unemployment rate is 6%.

[@carlc5748]

That's pretty much why my friend moved from there, after living there for about 30 years. He moved to the upper peninsula of Michigan. I told my friend that it's bigfoot country up there, as I leased a house in Arizona to a woman that lived there, in Michigan, and she, and her friend had an encounter with bigfoot, on three separate occasions, she even started trembling, as she related her story of seeing them, to me. My friend even told me that he moved to the same county in Michigan, (Emmett), where this lady had her three encounters.

[@RadioNebby]

I work remote and do just fine...direct flights to Burbank. Can go do the city thing when I feel like it and fly home. Only thing that sucks are the earthquakes but they always seem to happen in Decembers for some reason. The area's infrastructure sucks though for the amount of vehicles on the roads these days. It's becoming Santa Rosa north.

[@shannonmarquardt2578]

Thanks for the great review of Sacramento.

[@davidwang4364]

Ah, yes, Sacramento . . . If the politicians don't get you, the muggers will.

[@victoriaglass7584]

I grew up in Southern California and I went to Humboldt State for 1 year. It’s remote and quaint. Located in Arcata. Eureka is a much bigger city in comparison. My friends schooled me in the local weather forecasts. Never had heard this expression before but it was constantly being said. “colder than a witches tit today!” Returned home with something called the “Humboldt Crud” by a campus doctor. Coughed for almost a year after leaving.

[@kimberlymartin459]

Lol... I grew up hearing, "shit!! It's colder than a hookers heart outside!!

[@briansullivan9110]

This is a great video! As a native Californian I've been to a lot of the places on this list. Some things to mention are that Visalia is super conservative. I went to a wedding there and was floored by some of the things I heard people say. But we went to the coolest reception on this ranch property out there! I grew up near Banning. It used to be borderline nothing, and I like that it's growing. The surrounding area isn't bad to look at, but beware: it's basically the Southern California desert. Highs can easily get in the 110+ range through summer. Otherwise, quick and easy access to a lot of Southern California, including less than 1.5 hours to the beach!

[@MackB40]

Nice video, Kyle. Great content on California. Keep it coming! Btw- did you catch the totality of eclipse?

[@CaliforniaView_Kyle]

I drove to the bootheel of Missouri to experience totality. I literally just pulled over on the side of the road at an abandoned barn to watch it.

[@MackB40]

@@CaliforniaView_Kyle Excellent! Glad you got to see it. I drove my two kids to Vernon, Indiana, 50 miles north of Louisville and we too saw the totality as well, such an awesome celestial experience! Thanks for all that you do!

[@rachelhammitt9260]

I love how you leave out the job markets within the cities u mention!

[@CaliforniaView_Kyle]

I'm glad you loved it! Because the reason why I didn't mention it is that the job market of a city is dependent on the individual and also because the markets in the places I mentioned are on par with similar sized cities across the US. For example, Redding and Visalia don't have a lot of great jobs, but neither do any cities in that size range anywhere in America. Sacramento has a larger number of higher paying jobs, just like similar sized cities across the US.

[@kimberlymartin459]

He find the homes....you find the jobs😂😂😂

[@davidjackson7281]

Very good analyses.

[@MT_20_24]

Been in benicia ca for about a year and it’s beautiful 🤩

[@Mightyluna]

Benicia is lovely (but housing is expensive there)! I'm in Contra Costa County (30 years now) and can no longer take the heat. I've looked at Benicia, but sadly, can't afford the housing prices.

[@MT_20_24]

@@Mightylunaa one bedroom apt available for rent in Benicia ca for 1500 a month ?

[@Mightyluna]

@@MT_20_24 Really? Wow, that's great! Where I'm at that will only get you a studio. I've not looked at apt costs in Benicia I've only looked at houses for sale. Everything I've seen is above $550,000 and that's just for a small two bedroom. Good to know that at least apts are still somewhat reasonable!

[@singdasorrow]

California native that had got priced out, I’ll consider this list if I ever return!

[@daendiznigh]

@@maidenthe80slawe left ca in 2021, moved to Indiana. We absolutely love it here , weather here is nice and it’s very affordable. We are about 1.5 hours from Chicago and frequent there when we want to have some big city fun.

[@brianrogers2709]

@@daendiznighWoah I left California (born and raised) and also moved to Indiana! Moved here in 2022

[@daendiznigh]

@@brianrogers2709 we are in northern Indiana ( Michiana ) , are you near us ? 😃 congrats on your move ! Yes we are born and raised too! Ca all our lives. I’ve ran in to a few Californians here as well who also moved between 2020-2023

[@brianrogers2709]

@@daendiznighIndianapolis area but I like your spot near the lake. Reminds me of the ocean. Plus, no sharks!

[@daendiznigh]

@@brianrogers2709 I like your area too!! You have IKEA and jack in the crack!! My area we don’t have it!!

[@katharinajohn1339]

THANK YOU, IT WAS VERY HELPFUL.

[@Financial_Mukbangs]

Had family out in Visalia and lived there for about a year. They've since left and I'm not sure when I'll ever be back. One of my favorite places in the country...but there's a reason it's priced so cheaply. Worst air quality in the country, very remote, and poor white collar jobs market.

[@spencersandberg7753]

Kyle we need the follow up video for even cheaper places that are pretty gross! Also what are your thoughts on Tehachapi? And is the Lancaster Palmdale area too expensive to make the cut?

[@CaliforniaView_Kyle]

I like Tehachapi. It certainly could've gotten a mention here along with a few other foothill towns. Lancaster Palmdale is in the same price range as the ones I mentioned here, but if I'm being honest I'm not a huge fan of the cities and decided to leave it out.

[@svenrio8521]

Stockton 😂

[@CaliforniaView_Kyle]

@@svenrio8521 Sadly, Stockton isn't even cheap. I couldn't include it in a video like this even if it were nice.

[@carlc5748]

@@CaliforniaView_Kyle A brand new BYD electric bus plant will be built in Lancaster soon, their second plant there. Many good paying jobs will be created, and give a pretty good shot in the arm for the local economy there. My brother has lived in the Palmdale area for more than 20 years. I agree with you, kind of depressing there, in some areas, but I sense a coming economic boom to be reviving the area. I have had land there, for a while, and I want to catch this next rising wave of RE appreciation.

[@julietardos5044]

Lancaster/Palmdale is fairly cheap, but you'll need to drive every single place you go, and there's not a whole lot to do there. It's the armpit of California. Sorry.

[@stefaniedee2969]

I grew up in Butte County near Chico and what you save in housing prices you spend on 24/7 air conditioner on from May-September. In the summer the days get up in the 100's everyday and cool down to 90's at night. No Thanks!

[@davidwang4364]

Yeah, few people talk about the heat . . . and the $300 to $500 a month electric bills just to stay cool.

[@stinker43]

I had expected, as you go south from Sacramento, you would have mentioned Stockton. We are within commute distance of the East bay area, but you can find a livable house for $300K, and a really nice one for $400K. You are around 2 hours from San Francisco, Yosemite, Tahoe and world class ski resorts. If you like boating, the Delta is right here. I berth my boat 10 minutes from my $400K 1600sqft 3/2 house in Stockton for berthing of

[@napamoonlight9997]

Your crime rate is off putting to many.

[@kingofthesofas]

I lived in Fresno, Visalia and Modesto and all over the central valley and I hated it there. Granted it was like 20 years ago but my experience it was super hot and dry all summer, Tons of crime (I was mugged twice in Fresno), the allergies and pollution were off the chain because all the pollution just settles into the valley and doesn't get cleared out until winter rains come. When I first got to Visalia I didn't realize that you could see the sierra Nevada mountains from there for like 2 months because the pollution was so bad until it finally rained and I went outside and like had a heart attack because the mountains were right there. Maybe someone living there can comment if the crime and pollution have gotten any better since then, but based on my experience I could not recommend anywhere in the central valley.

[@finchman1]

I moved to Sacramento (From Visalia) about 20 years ago. Although the summers are relatively hot, we get the breezes off the Delta that cools things off most evenings. We do have a great foodie and microbrew scene. I also concur about Visalia.

[@TMendocino]

LOL What Delta, you are almost in Bakersfield. The Delta is near San Francisco

[@finchman1]

@@TMendocino I beg your pardon? I think you need to dust off your map and reread my post. I currently live in Sacramento and the California Delta lies just to the south of Sacramento. We do get the cooling breezes which come up through the Delta from the Bay Area.

[@TMendocino]

@@finchman1 That what my Aunt told me when I visited Roseville in August...we have a delta breeze. Like heck!!!! GRIN 😀

[@mikeward7290]

Ridgecrest, Yucca Valley and Barstow are located near military bases. Retired military prefer residing near a base so they can use the PX store.

[@JBoy340a]

And the dry weather is better on old joints and bones.

[@davidwang4364]

Ridgecrest is basically a hot slum, Barstow is on I-15 on the way from Los Angles to Las Vegas and is a dead town. Yucca Valley is nice, chilly in the winter, hotter than hell in the summer. Please east coasters, don't go there and ruin it.

[@Doppelrocking]

My guy. Your shirt. It’s amazing!

[@sarabrucker7847]

I’m from Lake County. It’s got no job market, but many people live there on fixed incomes, or remote jobs. It’s also separated from everywhere else by windy mountain roads. The fire risk is high. OTOH, it’s got the cleanest air in the state, and 8th cleanest in the nation. It’s beautiful. You’re about 2 hours from Sacramento, or Santa Rosa, or the bay. The city of Clearlake is where all the lake pollution drifts to, and it has the worst drug problem, but Lower Lake, which runs into it, is pretty nice. Kelseyville is the most racist town. Middletown and Lakeport school districts are probably the best. Cobb is mountain living, cheaper, but more extreme weather. I would recommend Shasta or Lassen counties over some of those listed here, because the average income to average rent/mortgage is better.

[@InnerGiggles]

This is very informative. Thank you!

[@svenrio8521]

Audio sounds a bit low but otherwise great video. Lived in the Central Valley and loved it.

[@gracetalley-bailey2988]

As a person who grew up in Clearlake and graduated from Lower Lake High School, I was excited to see this area make your list. I would love to return.

[@LD10000]

Thank you this is great, never really considered this solution. Gotta get out of L.A.

[@dmike3507]

Visalia is the best place on this list, I wouldn't say you are too biased. Most of the other cities are objectively worse, with much higher natural disaster risk or more unpleasant climates. I think once high speed rail is built it will become a more desirable place. I just hope they're adding a lot more mixed use zoning in the future instead of those giant swaths of single-family neighborhoods that stretch for miles.

[@CaliforniaView_Kyle]

It's still very much a big single family home kind of place. I think many of the people moving there are from the LA or Bay Areas with kids and want a bigger house they can afford. I think when the rail is eventually finished, it will benefit the Valley a lot.

[@nadogrl]

Well, we’ve only been waiting 16 years, and 100 Billion over budget for that boondoggle of a HSR.🤯

[@carlc5748]

@@nadogrl Yes, things happen much more quickly, and more efficient here, in Arizona, and that's why more people keep moving here, despite the heat! I went back to California, a couple of weeks ago, first visit in 5 years, and I remembered vividly why I left, couldn't wait to get back to Arizona!

[@nadogrl]

@@carlc5748 - It’s not about speed & efficiency, it’s about fleecing the taxpayers at every opportunity.

[@carlc5748]

@@nadogrl I can't argue against that, that's what many politicians do best, besides lying and cheating!

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

I knew Visalia was going to be on the list. The Twin Peaks of the Central Valley. My sis-in-law moved there, and couldn’t wait to move up into Three Rivers for mountain living.

[@markmasi5219]

Agreed. Haven’t been to Visalia since my COS years, but loved it. And three rivers is amazing.

[@cosmickitty3009]

My friend who was originally from Sac recently left Bakersfield for Phoenix and it's because he got a job in his field of work, that helped pay him to move there.

[@chadharris705]

Smart choice. Phoenix is kinda gross but has some okay areas. Bakersfield is all around nasty.😊

[@OlsenTheWonderDog]

Thanks for the video. We left Walnut Creek a couple of years ago and despite the problems California has (and let’s not kid itself, it has many public policy failures that have undermined the State), it remains a beautiful state. Notwithstanding the wildfire threat, we are contemplating (okay, dreaming) about moving back to Northern California after I retire, but we will be limited to an inexpensive/less expensive area than Walnut Creek. One of my favorite scenic drives from Walnut Creek was to Point Reyes/Drakes Bay.

[@gilesporter2997]

Looks like you'll have to make your favorite drive from Clearlake. I drove it last weekend, and it was phenomenal.

[@OlsenTheWonderDog]

@@gilesporter2997 Actually, the Clearlake area looks very nice. I also like Redding to be near Mt Shasta. Both areas could entice us back to California.

[@csmorris903]

What are your toughts on Porterville CA just below the Sequioa National Forest? I've been there a few times and seems like it has about everything a family would need.

[@jessiestenerson]

This was great! Can you do a more in depth video on Banning?

[@shellz-ts6td]

I live about 20 miles from Banning. It has improved over the past few years, but quite hot and gets hella windy as it's located in a desert pass. Very close to Palm Springs area for resorts and golf if you're into that sort of thing. Use to be a little rough around the indian reservation, don't know if that's gotten any better.

[@jessiestenerson]

@@shellz-ts6td thanks a bunch!

[@joyfullone3968]

Interesting!

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

I remember Fresno had a lot of car thefts issue like sacramento. Wasn't Clearlake had some issues with water? I like the area but avoid living close to the water.

[@MountainGirlwIPA]

I really liked Visilia and was pleasantly surprised when I passed through the area. Green hills ❤. I definitely agree with you regarding Chico.

[@davidwang4364]

Obviously you were in Visalia in the winter. In the spring, summer, and autumn it is golden hills and hotter than hell.

[@shellz-ts6td]

I think Chico has the best vibe out of all the towns listed, but I haven't been up there since neighboring Paradise burned down - wonder how it affected Chico.

[@arxligion]

I agree with your choices (especially redding 😃) , though I think you could have better clarified that there are areas in the sacramento area that are cheaper and frankly nicer than the ones you showed in the city proper, like folsom or Rancho cordova

[@JJW77]

Thanks for your honest reviews. How do you rate the Pittsburg/Antioch area? Thanks!

[@CampMom2012]

Excellent resource. We're moving from the East to the West this fall. It's down to Davis (if we can afford it), Chico (if we can't) or Eugene OR (if we really can't).

[@edcastillo4456]

Most of these locations are remote, and without much commerce or industry nearby, you’re looking at a long commute to work.

[@DavidAppling-ww6qu]

That is an uninformed viewpoint.

[@rs1107]

🤔"@DavidAppling" IS "Uninformed🤔

[@MyKeeP81]

David’s it’s a 100 percent correct viewpoint lol

[@penttij5817]

Cool video. Wife and I road tripped last year staying at KOA’s. Crescent City was nice, as the Redwoods was our main destination. I’ve been visiting Reedley since early 70’s, us Finn’s have a secret spot on Kings river. Love that area. Live in Torrance, reckon we’ll stay in our house till it’s time to check out and pass on to son. God bless.✌🏻❤️🇺🇸

[@WendyHughesJelenGRNLVNG]

I wanted to move to Visalia to be close to the organic farmers. But I've read of issues with water supply and wells going dry. I moved from Seattle to Long Beach 10 years ago, but it's ridiculous how much we spent on rent for an apartment. My husband has gotten into woodworking and needs more space. But he thinks Visalia is too Republican/backward for us. He's from Oregon farm country and is sensitive to the discrimination and inequality of how some people are treated.

[@jamesgonzales6086]

I grew up in SoCal most of my life I've lived in Sacramento now for almost 20 years and the weather is Extreme at times but the way I look at it is by the time you're tired of the heat it cools down and by the time you're tired of the cold it warms up it's beautiful Four Seasons here

[@zelphx]

Shout out from LOVELY Lodi, CA. !

[@nadogrl]

Is this sarcasm?😂

[@carlc5748]

@@nadogrlThe Creedence Clearwater Revival music group wrote a song about breaking down in Lodi, Calif.

[@nadogrl]

@@carlc5748 - Yep…Still wondering if your”Lovely” was sarcasm, though. Been there many times.

[@carlc5748]

@@nadogrl Many parts of California are lovely, and magnificent, especially Sequoia Nat'l Park, to me, now Lodi, I don't know!

[@kimberlymartin459]

Lod down and dirty ...😂😂😂😂 I'm heading there this Saturday. More in the rural area.... Lodi has really grown

[@irishgrl]

This is a great video but I wish you could have mentioned Paradise & Magalia, 20 or so miles northeast of Chico… It’s a little pricier to buy in Paradise than it used to be since the Camp Fire (all new construction has new requirements with respect to fire codes and solar panels. Also be aware that fire insurance is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE!!! Most larger insurers are leaving the State. There are ways to mitigate the cost though, so do be sure and ask your realtor about insurance & mitigation.

[@BenHutch]

The Sacramento Valley towns are under recognized; see Chico and Redding.

[@barbarapaige4587]

Chico is getting expensive and overcrowded now. It's also unbearably hot in the summer, which keeps getting longer thanks to global warming.

[@arxligion]

Love redding. Chico/Oroville are rising in price due to proximity to Sacramento and remote workers, chico is a lot like davis was a while ago. Also some beautiful gold country towns in amador, calaveras, and mariposa (mariposa is way more expensive) are really nice places to be and have great weather, also, like redding you can get easily to the snow.

[@dfirth224]

Also the San Joaquin Valley is cheaper.

[@klowen7778]

@@barbarapaige4587 Yep, and the Paradise/Magalia fires which wiped out both towns in 2018 sure didn't help w/ the local housing 'demand'. Though Chico summers are cool by comparison to Redding & Red Bluff, where temps routinely hit 100°F, and occasionally reach >115°!

[@Me97202]

Redding is a _horrible_ place. Only its proximity to Lake Shasta makes it worthwhile.

[@es-hs9fd]

Hidden Valley Lake is a gated community with a beautiful 102 acre lake and professional golf course. It’s only about 20 mins from Clearlake. The area has been getting gentrified since 2020, but at least houses are still affordable here.

[@carlc5748]

When I was a kid (10-11 years old), in 1968, I wondered why none of the license plates on California cars that I saw never started with the letter "I". We then took a trip to Sequoia Nat'l Park in 1968. We drove to Visalia on our way back to Los Angeles, and lo, and behold to my surprise, most of the license plates on the cars in Visalia started with the letter "I". As a kid, I really marvelled at that. That was when California had the black background with the yellow numerals, and letters on the license plates. That is the only time in my life that I ever went to Visalia, Calif. but I never forgot that! You mentioned Sacramento. My uncle, Eugene "Doc" Lemmon was personally recommended by Walt Disney to head up the Cal-Expo in Sacramento, which broke ground in 1966. He left there in 1968, to become one of the VP's of Sea World Inc., and was tasked to pick the site of their new joint-venture theme park, which he named, "Magic Mountain" in Valencia, Calif. As I type this, I have his giant Magic Mountain poster on my wall, above my computer screen, which he had in his office at Magic Mountain, as he was the President there. Walt knew my uncle, because my uncle was the 5th official employee of Disneyland Inc, hired in 1954, before construction began on Disneyland. He was the Park Operations Manager at Disneyland from 1956-to 1961, supervising more than 1,000 employees, and reported directly to Walt. I have much documentation to that effect, written, and pictorially!! Excellent presentation in your Vlog! Around 1990, I visited Redding, and contemplated moving there, really like the sense of the town there.

[@Kate-uo5zv]

400,000?? I can't even afford 100,000. I was forced into retirement 20 years ago from the tech industry. I was lucky to buy a house 100 miles from the Bay Area and paid it off doing menial jobs. Now I struggle just to pay the bills on a fixed income.

[@winkieblink7625]

All TRUE. I live in CA. These are real nice cities and the people of the state NEED to pull away from the coast and Re gentrify the valley towns. I’ve been to all of them, and more. THEY ARE THERE!

[@lucystrider728]

California also has rational tax which protects homeowners from being taxed out of their home by capping the allowed rise in valuation each year regardless of market conditions. California also has a lot of well provided and funded healthcare. Like anywhere, there are great areas and areas you avoid so you can choose how your surroundings are. To me it is very weird how negative some people tend to be about California when it is such a huge place with so many really nice areas. The only truth is that it does tend to be expensive because so many people want to live there with good reason. This is a good info video.

[@Jose-sy1je]

The property tax does protect homeowners. But it's incredible unfair. Generally poorer people rent. And they do not enjoy this protection as rents go up quite massively. So what is the justification for homeowners to pay so little? It's just another contributing factor why housing prices are so sky high

[@rs1107]

😎 Prop 13 IS Totally "Fair" 😎

[@rs1107]

🌮"@Jose-sy1je" Get A Clue🌮

[@rs1107]

🌜Prop 13 Has Been Great🌛

[@carlc5748]

@@rs1107 Yep, been there (Prop 13, that is) since 1978!

[@markmasi5219]

Really enjoyed this video. Went to COS in Visalia, so I can wholeheartedly agree with this choice, though it’s rapidly losing its small city charms.

[@mikecrisafulli8970]

We live in Riverside and quite honestly are very happy here. Downtown has gone through some revitalization over the years and has improved quite a bit.

[@davidwang4364]

Yeah, Riverside is actually a nice town if you can handle traffic, smog and extreme heat. Otherwise, it's not bad if you like rednecks and Mexicans.

[@theeclecticlifewithsam]

Nice shirt Kyle! 😋 I have been to Fresno and Clovis, both of which weren't bad at all. Close to Yosemite, so I'm sold! 👍

[@jdos5643]

I pass Fresno and it is actually green and beautiful city in general. I pass by the Whole Foods and the streets and avenues are filled with beautiful palms pines and trees. Fresno gets a bad rap for the ghetto areas. But what city doesn’t have ghetto areas?

[@JuanVasquezhasreturned]

​@@jdos5643Visalia doesn't have a ghetto, and it's close to Fresno.

[@vjmotano835]

@@JuanVasquezhasreturned😂 everything north of downtown is ghetto and looks worse than parts of Fresno.

[@mtjm]

In my opinion, no where in Humboldt County is it affordable to live.

[@iboremytherapist]

Visalia is my hometown too!

[@wonderbread06]

Grandparents moved to Lakeport in the late 80s. I grew up there as a kid in the 90s during the summer and winter holidays, traveling from The Bay. Aunt and cousin still live there. Good for weekend trips but never would i be able to live there unless retired.

[@kimberlymartin459]

I said that too! Sold my home in Fairfield and was squatting at my dad's place in Clearlake Oaks... bought a house around the corner from his. He(RIP) was living in Sacramento... he kept asking me, "You ain't tired of Clearlake yet?😂 nope. Our family always visit during the summer months on weekends this was in the early 70's. They purchased a few properties here. I remember my dad and I driving up during property tax time to pay all the property taxes(don't mail your payments... the county don't cash your check until like May of the next year...seriously!!) The good ole days❤❤❤❤

[@jerrydixon]

How about going further south to Desert Shores, Salton City, Brawley, El Centro and Winterhaven?

[@OrlValdez]

El Centro might merge to Calexico, if Mexicali is growing why not El Centro-Calexico?

[@victoriaglass7584]

Have you smelled the Salton Sea? It’s barely inhabited there and you need A/C 9 months out of the year. That smell. No way!

[@TheItalianCalifornian-fp3fn]

Who wants to live there though??

[@carlc5748]

@@TheItalianCalifornian-fp3fn Many people will move there with the new lithium mining that is going to go there, soon. People will migrate, even to a smelly area, if they think that they have a decent job for themselves, and their family.

[@JBoy340a]

Salton Sea is toxic.

[@Killersanchez256]

Rip Bakersfield

[@diegogonzalez7279]

Eureka= tweaker town

[@ladonna2u742]

Redding too.

[@helenkotowske3829]

What about all the drugs in The Bay Area and LA???

[@le_th_]

I've heard that it's been a tweaker town for nearly 40 years now by a former meth head in her 70s.

[@le_th_]

@@helenkotowske3829 LOL You cannot compare it. Neither LA or SF are tweaker towns. You have small areas (Skid Row in LA and the Tenderloin in SF) where you have the same level of drug use/saturation that Eureka and Redding have. Most of the areas surrounding LA and SF are NOT that way, the vast majority, in fact are not that way.

[@JMag1]

I live in Sacramento and generally agree with this list.

[@gabrielastoltz5647]

Gracias 🙏

[@oaktownist]

Outside of Sacramento and Fresno there’s no jobs that pay anything for the working class. All these cities and towns you mentioned are more for retired people to live in

[@peterbedford2610]

Plenty of meth in rural CA

[@markinternets2009]

plenty of meth in rural everywhere

[@skiptheroad]

​@@markinternets2009plenty of meth in urban California.

[@mritzs5142]

Plenty of Meth....everywhere