Los Angeles downtown skyline
January 13, 2020 Posted in City Guides
Blake Shaw

Bostonian and residential moving and packing expert. Blake Shaw enjoys bar-hopping, music, and writing insightful content.

10 Best Places to Live in California for Young Adults

The State of California is attractive for all ages and profiles. If you had to pick one place among these ten best places to live in California for young adults, which one would it be? Where should you move to? Each one of them has its strong points, so let’s dive into them to help you decide.

friends together hanging out CA is filled with colorful and unique places for young professionals

Make sure you have all your priorities figured out before picking the best time of the year to move and calling your California moving company, such as your budget, the type of area you’d want to reside in, the distance to your future workplace if you’re relocating to the suburbs, and so on. Once you know what your criteria are, it is time to start working on reaching your decision.

Move With Confidence Get Free Quote

Los Angeles is the Place to Be If You Are Seeking Fame

Moving to Los Angeles is the best choice if you want to be in the middle of where all the action is. Although it is well known as the home of the movie industry,  there are many other things that you can do here. If you are looking for work know that tourism, information technologies, and healthcare are a big part of the market, and if your job requires relocation, Los Angeles has ample choices. Don’t hesitate to try to find a job before moving to another state. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,360 and the median salary is $56,000 a year.

The most significant disadvantage of changing the address and moving here is the cost of daily life, which is high compared to the national average. One other drawback is that you’ll need to transport your car across the country, and if you have it, make sure you understand how car shipping works and organize auto transport along with the moving services for your other belongings. It would be useful to organize the cheapest way to move out of state or to choose the cheapest time of the year to relocate and reduce relocation expenses that way.

The biggest advantage of moving alone here is no shortage of choices for an active life, so avoiding relocation depression and relieving moving stress won’t be so hard. From sightseeing to hiking and clubbing, you could do something different every day and never get bored. And with the best Los Angeles movers, you can easily relocate to this city.

Entertainment Center of the World

Maybe motion pictures weren’t born here, but they chose this place as their permanent residence. Many young, talented people flock here every year in search of their big break. Needless to say, they don’t all succeed, but it is the experience of a lifetime. Los Angeles is a place with a powerful charm, and many people decide to stay here permanently while navigating the rich and shiny scene of glamour surrounding them. Even when it looks like you would have to reconsider your career choice, you never know. Maybe the next chance is waiting for you around the corner or in line at your favorite coffee shop.

Hollywood Hills is a pretty safe neighborhood Young people quickly fall in love with LA

Davis Is the Cheaper Version of Silicon Valley

Davis was originally a university city with a population of around 69,000, but in recent years, it has been developing as a technology hub. The area is very clean and boasts 50 miles of bike paths and 31 parks.

We may have done it an injustice by calling it a cheaper version of a much more popular tech location – what we meant is that living costs are lower here. You can rent an apartment in the central area for a median price of $1,333. Besides the beautiful nature of the whole area, there are many galleries and performing arts venues where you can spend your free time. This makes Davis a perfect blend of the university, tech, and art center, which is a good reason to move for young people who want to enjoy their life to the fullest here.

Budding Tech Hub

In recent years, Davis is being recognized as a tech hub that is slowly developing. Most of the startups are from the “agtech” realm, but there are many other science-focused engineering programs. Many young entrepreneurs choose Davis to start their IT, engineering, or tech business because of the available resources and favorable business climate.

street with trees Davis is one of those cities that offer a small-town vibe

San Francisco Is the Best Place for Young Adults to Live in and Plan a Future

When you are thinking about where to move, San Francisco may be one of the best choices, after all, it is by far one of the most beautiful, unique, and colorful cities in the USA, not only in the Golden State. There is hardly anything not to like about it. Although it has a population of less than a million people, it is so diverse that it counts as one of the most famous metropolises in the world.

Crime rates here are low, below the national average. If you have anxiety about moving out, don’t worry, it is generally considered a safe place to live in. If diversity and rich nightlife attract you at first, the safety and the possibility to start a family may make you stay for the long run, while great San Francisco high schools only add value.

Incomes are high here – it is the place with the 2nd highest average annual salary in the USA, and the average resident is well educated and with a college degree. This is the best place to set a path for your career. Besides being paid well, the job market offers you a chance to change your position or career without your budget suffering much or having to move into a smaller home. Predominant industries here are trade, tourism, insurance, and financial services.

You Could Live in the Moment, Too

If you put aside your plans and career and focus on living in the moment, relocating to San Francisco won’t be a disappointment. There are a variety of possibilities to enjoy in your free time no matter if you move during the holidays or at any other time of the year. It is one of those cities where, even by only walking down the street, you can enjoy unique cityscapes. Other options to satisfy your cultural cravings are:

  • Theaters
  • Visual arts
  • Museums
  • Modern art galleries and exhibitions

There are options for other types of interests, too, like:

  • Football and baseball games
  • Beaches
  • Numerous outdoor parks and activities you can enjoy, especially if you are moving with a dog.

The City of Golden Gate Bridge is not something you should only see. It is something you should experience at least once in your life. When you come to the point to tell your friends you’re moving to San Francisco, you can promise them some unforgettable times when they come to visit.

san francisco San Francisco has a rich and colorful atmosphere, there is nothing not to love here.

Santa Monica Is the Best Place For All Environmental Activists

Are you a big proponent of an eco-friendly lifestyle? If so, then this corner of California is for you. “Go green in Santa Monica” is an initiative dedicated to eco-friendliness and environmental sustainability. The county has taken some radical steps to promote green energy solutions, sustainable housing systems, eco-tourism, etc. The final goal set up for the year 2030 is for the area to use 100% of green and renewable sources, like solar energy.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $2500, which would be a small price to pay for living in an eco utopia. Sustainability is more than a lifestyle here – it is a philosophy and it is a shared mission that is to be admired.

Santa Monica Is a Beautiful Beach City

Besides the progressive energy solutions, Santa Monica is a place with a beautiful coastline. A healthy environment will surely prompt some healthy lifestyle decisions. The population here is very active, and the area offers many possibilities for sports and outdoor activities to its residents. When you decide to relocate, you can enjoy beautiful beaches and fun activities as soon as you unpack after your move.

santa monica Even though it is a tourist attraction, Santa Monica is a clean environment as opposed to the neighboring Los Angeles

Long Beach Has a Strong LGBTQ Community

Long Beach has the party started a few weeks before the other cities in the USA. The Pride Parade here starts in May. With almost 17% of its population declared as LGBTQ+, it is a very open-minded and accepting community. There are a few neighborhoods with the highest concentration of same-sex homeowners, as well as the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Even though the world progressed far from scrutinizing same-sex couples, at least in the developed areas, it is nice to know that there are places that embrace differences with both arms open and empower them.

long beach pride parade Long Beach pride parties last from May to June.

Sacramento – California’s Capital Boasts a Good Quality of Life

The Californian capital has the highest quality of life index in the state. The climate is not much different from other cities in the area – it is Mediterranean and mild, warm, and pleasant. What is very attractive about Sacramento is the Californian vibe at a manageable cost. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area is around $1,430, and the median income is $54,600, which makes life here quite affordable.

Even if you live on an average salary, you won’t have to choose between leisure and basic amenities – locals can afford both in Sacramento. So, if you donate unwanted items and plan your moving day strategy well to avoid common moving mistakes with the help of our packing tips and tricks and find the cheapest way to move out of state to reduce the costs of moving, you won’t have any problems staying within your moving budget when house-hunting.

Pros and Cons of Living in the Capital

Some pros are more than obvious, but there are a few more “strong selling points” to nudge your decision in this direction:

  • Crime rates are moderate
  • There are a lot of parks and many possibilities for outdoor activities
  • There are many movie places, theatres, art and exhibition spots
  • The food and restaurant industry is booming
  • Organic food is more than affordable
  • The job market is strong and versatile

As for the cons, there are not that many:

  • Like in every big place, traffic jams are unavoidable
  • It is an inland area
  • The pace of life is a bit faster
Sacramento Sacramento has a good quality of life at affordable prices.

Orange Has a Vast Open Land

Only a 40-minute ride away from the busy LA, this is a laid-back community perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. If you like hiking and nature, Orange has hundreds of acres of open land with hiking trails and campsites, and it is usually described as a big city with a small-town vibe. A quarter of the population is in the 24-35 age group, which makes it perfect for young residents. Here, you can make new friends easily.

Crime rates in Orange County are very low, almost half the national average. This and the small-town vibe, along with a clean environment, make Orange County the best choice for young families.

Largest Historic District in the USA

Orange County has the largest historic district in the USA, and it includes 1,300 homes and other historic structures. It has a unique southern charm, and most of the houses predate the 1920s. Visiting this place gives you a unique opportunity to peek into the past from the streets through the museums and Orange International Street Fair. It covers a large area and exhibits international foods and local businesses. This fair is an homage to the original Orange Street Fair from 1910.

man and a women in a forest If you need a piece of nature in an urban area, Orange has more than enough of it.

Huntington Beach Is Surf City, USA

This place is exactly what you would expect a seaside community to be. Long beaches, good tides and waves, and hot summers make it ideal for an annual US Open of Surfing and AVP beach volleyball competition. Besides those activities, Huntington beach is home to a lifeguard academy for young people.

This city, with a population of around 200,000 residents, is a great place to live if you are a fan of water sports to any extent. Even if you are not, there is no way you wouldn’t enjoy its mild climate and 9.5-mile long sandy beaches and move safely to this beautiful seaside community.

Huntington beach If you are moving with your dogs, you’ll be glad to know that there is a beach designated for dog owners here to enjoy summer days with their pets.

Berkeley is Golden State’s Educational Hub

Berkeley is home to the renowned Berkeley University with the oldest college campus in the California University area and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. If you are a fan of debates during a coffee break, art, history, and literature, Berkeley will be your number one pick.

It may be the case that you are coming here to go to college, but that doesn’t mean that this city has nothing else to offer you after graduation. This town is considered to be one of the most socially liberal communities in the country, which can make moving to another state checklist much easier to create.

Study at Berkeley University

Besides its flagship campus, Berkeley is well known for its study programs. Here you can get your Master of Art, Master of Science, and Master of Fine Arts graduate degrees. You could also get your Ph.D. in the field of Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Design, to name a few. The University was founded in 1868, and it is both an honor and prestige to study here.

Berkeley University If you're a student, you'll probably choose this university

Roseville Is Among the Best Cities to Start a Family

Although Roseville houses have a price that is two times higher than the national average, this is 4th place in the USA with the most first-time homeowners. Where’s the trick here? It is a small town without traffic jams, with good schools and colleges all around the area, many beautiful parks and recreation possibilities for people of all ages – an important thing to consider before relocating and choosing a place to call your new home.

Roseville The first train track in Roseville was laid in 1864.

How Safe Is It to Raise Kids Here

Roseville is among the best cities to raise a family in California because crime statistics say that the crime rate is very low. There are about 3,500 crimes per 100,000 residents, and the most dominant type of crime are thefts and property crimes. The matter of fact is that those statistics indicate that this part of the town is very safe to raise kids. If you worry about how safe your kids will be on the street, outside your home, or on their way to school, there is no reason to fear – the general safety of the neighborhood is great.

QUICK MOVING ESTIMATE

    Download as PDF Moving Checklist
    Get a Free Estimate 877-888-0708