Family moving to Fresno area - seeking advice (Vista, Clovis: home, neighborhood)

[caldad]

I would check the neighborhoods in the east part of the City of Clovis, specifically McCaffrey Homes, they are all about 1800 to 2200 square feet, have a lot of walking trails and in the Clovis Unified School District. The commute to Fresno State is about 5-6 miles west on Barstow from Locan Ave. A very nice commute. These homes are newer, no fireplaces (except gas). The downside is that there are orange groves that kick in their wind machines sometime during the coldest part of the winter you can hear from the neighborhoods here. PM me for more info....be glad to give more resources or you can Google City of Clovis.

[Senno]

California School Performance Maps

[Fresmom]

I agree, it sounds like NE Fresno is what you are going to be happiest with. 15 minutes to CSUF and in Clovis schools. My kids are/were at Liberty, which ranks very highly. Most of the feeder schools into Clovis North or Clovis West will suit you. Look for housing north of Herndon avenue. Liberty boundaries are closer to Shepherd ave. though. The air quality will most likely be a problem based on your description. But we have lots of allergy specialists here. PM me if you want more info.

[Bruce81]

I think you should explore the area first, Fresno does have some nice areas and great people. Just keep in mind you are smack dab in the middle of the Central Valley which is very unnatractive and the closest major city is like 3 hours away. Nothing much around Fresno, I used to go 3-4 times a week for work. What truly makes that place great is how welcome I felt every time I would go there.

[Senno]

Fresno is the major city in the Central Valley, and is the 5th most populous city in California.

I've spent my life vacationing in SF, LA basin, Sacto, and Central Coast as we are 4 hours or so from those places. Not that long a drive, even with small kids (I've been the small kid on the drive, and driven my own small kids). Only SD and Lake Tahoe is 6-7 hours away as far as major vacation destinations. I've been up to Redding and nothern CA along 1 into Oregon, while fun, once or twice is enough.

You can stay closer to Fresno and visit Yosemite or the national forests, go to Shaver Lake, ski at Sierra Summit, or any number of other activities.

Our COL is less than the major metro areas generally.

I've also lived in Rancho Cordova (Sacto metro) and San Dimas (LA metro), not much difference to me. Typical California suburbia, unless you go downtown. I wasn't hanging with Hef at the bunny mansion, nor was I living in the slums.

[jeffredo]

I lived in Fresno for a couple of years and the people are pretty friendly. I lived in Des Moines, Iowa right out of college for a year and a half and I always thought that people in Fresno (and the SJ Valley) were easily as friendly as Iowa - maybe more so.

As others have said I think NE Fresno or Clovis would be your best bet.

[FreedomBelle]

Originally Posted by caldad

I would check the neighborhoods in the east part of the City of Clovis, specifically McCaffrey Homes, they are all about 1800 to 2200 square feet, have a lot of walking trails and in the Clovis Unified School District.

Looked at the McCaffery site, and the homes are similar to what we'd like to find. Thanks!

Do you know what stage of development these projects are in, particularly the Loma Vista project? It looks nice as described, but it wasn't clear how far the master plan for the site has progressed. Also, I thought I noticed that the development was within CUSD, but outside of the Clovis City limits. Is that correct? What are the implications of that status in terms of taxes and public services? Thanks so much!

[Kibbiekat]

I'm partial to NW and NE Fresno. A lot of people like Clovis. I like the Bullard, and Clovis West HS areas. If you have asthma, though, I would seriously and carefully consider this move. Fresno has horrible air and will aggravate your asthma.

[FreedomBelle]

Originally Posted by Kibbiekat

If you have asthma, though, I would seriously and carefully consider this move. Fresno has horrible air and will aggravate your asthma.

Not happy news. I've had a terrible time the year we've lived in Georgia (year round allergens and very bad air quality in the summer, plus the unexpected joy of having the neighboring home sold as a tear down for infill development just after we signed our lease). Because there are so few places that *are* good for my allergies, however, we are trying to focus on the job and plan-for-worst-hope-for-better in terms of health.

What is/are the source(s) of the air quality problems? Is the main issue pollution (local and from other cities)?

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by FreedomBelle

Not happy news. I've had a terrible time the year we've lived in Georgia (year round allergens and very bad air quality in the summer, plus the unexpected joy of having the neighboring home sold as a tear down for infill development just after we signed our lease). Because there are so few places that *are* good for my allergies, however, we are trying to focus on the job and plan-for-worst-hope-for-better in terms of health.

What is/are the source(s) of the air quality problems? Is the main issue pollution (local and from other cities)?

Fresno is in a big valley, a bowl, and pollutants get trapped. There are many sources including products of combustion (cars and other engines) that combine with sunlight to for ground level ozone. That is the big problem in the summer. In the winter, particulate matter is the big issue, from ag burning and fireplace burning. There are advisories and burn restrictions all the time. Often in the summer people are advised not to exercise outdoors. The air is the main reason we left the valley.