Life in a new California home can be a dream come true with its abundance of sandy beaches, boardwalks, year-round sunny skies, and all the Carne Asada tacos your stomach can handle. Whether you’re looking for a place to retire, rental income, or a fresh start for those big career goals, the Sunshine State is this perfect place to call home. But with a largely populated state like California, the biggest question on your home search is where to buy. There are many factors to consider like northern or southern California, urban or suburban, snow or dessert? In this post, we’re giving you a breakdown of five great places to buy a new home in California.
Lake County
Lake County is located in northern California, just two hours northwest of San Francisco and the state capitol, Sacramento. Lake County boasts a grand population of 64,386 residents and a median home price of $341,000. It is also home to Clear Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in California. Submerge yourself in the long-established history of Lake County while visiting the Lake County Historic Courthouse Museum, the Gibson Museum, and Cultural Center, and the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum. While living in a new home in Lake County, you can partake in the wine country lifestyle touring many local vineyards like the Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, Boatique Winery, Fults Family Vineyards, and the Mt. Konocit Winery. You can also enjoy a little antique shopping at Ratto’s Uniques and Antiques The Mall and grab a few greeting cards and specialized gifts for your loved ones at Linda’s Hallmark Shop.
Orange
Situated conveniently in Orange County, the city of Orange is a kid-friendly community with low crime rates and access to several parks, playgrounds, youth programs, and libraries. The median home price in Orange last month was $860,000. Orange is home to several popular attractions such as the Orange County Zoo, Irvine Regional Park, and the Hilbert Museum of California Art. You can also find Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, and the Angel Stadium in nearby Anaheim. Enjoy shopping at The Outlets at Orange, an open-air outlet mall that features the AMC Orange 30 movie theater and retailers like Aeropostale, Bath & Body Works, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Victoria’s Secret, and Tilly’s.
Big Bear Lake
The neighborhoods in Big Bear offer condos, townhomes, vacation homes, and cabins for sale. Whether you’re looking to purchase your next new home or a vacation home, Big Bear is the perfect place for any stay. Big Bear Lake has around 5,241 residents, and the median home price averages at $391,000. The small fish-filled city of Big Bear Lake is located in Southern California and provides access to tons to do no matter your fancy. This city thrives year-round with the perfect weather for weekend camping or wintertime skiing. Residents and visitors enjoy the Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Snow Summit Ski Resort, and boutique shops and restaurants in Big Bear Lake Village. There is also the Big Bear Alpine Zoo and Boulder Bay Park.
Palo Alto
Palo Alto, California, is an ideal city with breathtaking views and rich culture. There are currently 134 homes for sale, ranging from as little as $15,000 to $53.9 million. Wow! What a difference in the price range! The home values in Palo Alto are a bit on the pricey end, but this also makes for an excellent investment or rental properties which yield a higher return and a higher caliber for tenants. Palo Alto is considered a safe area to live in, and the weather tends to remain at around 75 degrees throughout the year. A few of the well-performing schools in Palo Alto include Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Palo Alto High School. Private and charter schools include Bowman International School, Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, and the International School of the Peninsula. Residents love exploring the local shops and eateries in downtown Palo Alto and visit the Computer History Museum in nearby Mountain View that takes you through the first 2,000 years of computing history. The Baylands Nature Preserve features over fifteen miles of trails perfect for a morning jog or bike ride and lots of local wildlife to keep company.
Santa Barbara
Located on the central California coast near the Santa Ynez mountains is the gorgeous city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara consists of thirty neighborhoods with 258 homes for sale that range between $129,000 to $62 million in price. This area is a tourist city near LA surrounded by many beaches like Arroyo Burro Beach and Summerland Beach. Top-rated schools in Santa Barbara include Cold Spring Elementary School, Peabody Charter School, La Colina Junior High School, and San Marcos Senior High School. Santa Barbara is home to the Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and Stearns Wharf, a historic pier that offers shopping and restaurants.