Top Places to Live in California 2021
Livability.com has composed a list of the Top 100 Places to Live in America for the past 8 years based on surveys, studies, and adjust algorithms and new variables to pinpoint the new number one position. Due to the pandemic, the world has experienced a new way of work, which has deeply impacted how people view their home life. These new, more flexible rules have raised questions, where do I want to live if I work remotely? Can I afford my dream town?
Over 1,000 small to mid sized cities have been analyzed based on “factors like safety, affordability, economic stability, outdoor recreation, accessibility, community engagement.” When asked, these were what was important to 42% of Americans who have moved since March 2020 or considered moving.
On the list of 100, a total of four cities in California were ranked, is one of them your town? If you’re looking for a nationally ranked new town in California, here are a few ideas!
Want to move to California?
#1. Roseville (#8 nationally)
Roseville, CA, the biggest city in Placer County, is bustling with things to do and ways to explore. Located along Interstate 80, Roseville is more than just a convenient place to live. California’s capital city, Sacramento, is only 20 minutes away, and, come weekends, the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills and Folsom Lake beckon for outdoor enthusiasts.
Top Colleges/Universities: Sierra College
Top Industries & Employers: Health care is a top industry, with Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente and Adventist Health among the top employers.
Weekend Plans: Hit the links at Woodcreek and Diamond Oaks or send microchipped golf balls flying toward giant dartboard targets at TopGolf.
Outdoorsy Activity: The Hub has every type of bike imaginable and the staff will help you select the perfect ride so you can explore all the city has to offer. In fact, Roseville should be explored on two wheels – the city has more than 100 miles of bike lanes.
Why Your Pet Will Love It, Too: The Doggie Bag is a boutique and bakery for dogs that sells custom “yappy birthday cakes.”
Remote Work Perk: About 100 miles northeast of San Francisco, Roseville is more affordable than Silicon Valley. Still, the city is within close proximity of major tech companies – a major networking perk. 
One More Thing … For decades, Roseville was a railroad town, with the railroad employing nearly a third of the city’s population.
Check out this home for sale in Roseville! 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,767 Sq. Ft. | 0.16 Acre Lot
#2. Woodland (#55 nationally)
This vibrant northern California city is rooted in agriculture. Woodland, CA is about 20 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento. Still, it’s just a few minutes from Sacramento International Airport, giving residents easy access to the rest of the country and the world. This forward-looking city is supportive of businesses big and small. Through a public-private partnership, the city recently opened The Lab@AgStart, an innovative shared wet lab, food lab and coworking space for startups.
Top Colleges/Universities: Woodland Community College
Top Industries & Employers: Agriculture and food, transportation, health care and manufacturing.
Weekend Plans: The Woodland Farmers Market is an absolute must-visit every Saturday. Then, plan a picnic at one of Woodland’s 24 neighborhood and community parks.
Favorite Place to Feast: Kitchen428 Restaurant, which offers farm-to-table cuisine inside the historic 1891 Jackson Building.
Outdoorsy Activity: Take advantage of the abundant sunshine by playing a round of golf at Wild Wings Golf Course, one of the longest nine-hole courses in the region.
Why Your Pet Will Love It, Too: The Woodland Off-Leash Dog Park is the perfect place to make new friends, both human and canine.
One More Thing … Woodland is home to the Reiff’s Gas Station Museum, a unique museum dedicated to cars and car culture. Reiff’s collection is an eclectic mix of antique and vintage cars, gas station signs and other items.
Check out this home for sale in Woodland! 5 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,314 Sq. Ft. | 0.16 Acre Lot
#3. Oxnard (#68 nationally)
This picturesque seaside city, 60 miles west of Los Angeles, is one of the best places to live, work, raise a family, start a business or grow your career. Home to 207,000 people, Oxnard, CA features relaxing beaches, fun nightlife, arts and culture institutions and grassy parks. This mid-sized city also has a strong economy and a growing biotech scene.
Top Colleges/Universities: Oxnard College
Top Industries & Employers: Manufacturing, transportation and logistics, agriculture and energy.
Weekend Plans: Hang out, surf, search for seashells and spend time with friends on one of Oxnard’s seven beaches.
Favorite Place to Feast: Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine, known for its moquecas, or Brazilian seafood stews, cooked in clay pots.
Beloved Beverage: Wine. Oxnard is home to four unique wineries, including the country’s largest producer of kosher wines, Herzog Wine Cellars. The remarkable Herzog family survived Nazi rule and communism in Slovakia, fleeing to the United States to start a new life.
Outdoorsy Activity: A standup paddleboard yoga class in Channel Islands Harbor.
Why Your Pet Will Love It, Too: Dogs are welcome at a handful of Oxnard beaches as well as several off-leash dog parks to choose from!
One More Thing … Oxnard plays host to the California Strawberry Festival, an annual celebration of this juicyred fruit, complete with contests, live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and tons of creative strawberry foods and drinks.
Check out this home for sale in Oxnard! 4 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,468 Sq. Ft.
#4. Riverside (#82 nationally)
Like the rest of Southern California, Riverside offers residents wonderful weather, stunning mountain views and offers many different kinds of outdoor activities. But what sets Riverside apart from cities like Los Angeles and San Diego is its affordability and accessibility to Southern California attractions like Disneyland, Temecula Valley Wine Country and the ski slopes in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Top Colleges/Universities: University of California, Riverside
Top Industries & Employers: Government offices, health care, education, manufacturing
Weekend Plans: Set in the foothills of the Box Springs Mountains, UC Riverside’s Botanic Garden garden offers 40 hilly acres of 3,500-plus plant species, more than 200 types of birds and 4 miles of scenic trails to explore.
Favorite Place to Feast: Since 1990, artist Martin Sanchez, owner of Tio’s Tacos, has been expanding the impressive collection of folk art that fills the famous Mexican restaurant, indoor and out, earning a devoted following of locals and tourists eager to see the quirky space.
Why Your Pet Will Love It, Too: Leashed dogs are allowed to accompany their people on the popular Mount Rubidoux Trail, a 2.7-mile, heavily trafficked path featuring a river and lovely views of its namesake park.
One More Thing … The University of California Riverside Citrus Variety Collection boasts more than 1,000 varieties of citrus (two trees of each) – and occasionally opens its gates to the public.
Check out this home for sale in Riverside! 5 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,468 Sq. Ft. | 0.36 Acre Lot
Ready to relocate?
Check out: Top Places to Live in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada 2021
Source: Livability.com houses from HomeScout