Denver to Modesto area (San Jose, Sacramento: low income, real estate, rentals)

[TheGuac]

I am originally a California native, having lived in SoCal for many years before moving to Denver. Anyway, I've been here a few years but am getting sick of the weather, including the snow and destructive summer hail storms. Super pretty all year round and not humid like most of the eastern US.

Anyway, I have now received a job offer in Modesto. I visited there a few days ago and it really didn't seem that bad. The houses and neighborhoods in northern Modesto seemed very nice, but all I hear when I research the city is the high crime rate, homeless population, pollution, and drug problem.

I also like how Modesto is close to the bay area and a quick 1.5 hour trip to the cities. It's also close to the Sierras. Do you guys think I would regret the move? Is Modesto becoming worse or better as more of the SF residents move there? It's definitely no Denver but I do think it's nice it's so close to the bay area.

Also, how is the weather there? Summer is hot, I know, but I'm from inland LA where it also gets hot in the summer. The nights however cool off significantly, like in Denver, so it isn't so bad in the mornings. Is this the same way in Modesto?

Thanks!

[Racer46]

Originally Posted by TheGuac

I am originally a California native, having lived in SoCal for many years before moving to Denver. Anyway, I've been here a few years but am getting sick of the weather, including the snow and destructive summer hail storms. Super pretty all year round and not humid like most of the eastern US.

Anyway, I have now received a job offer in Modesto. I visited there a few days ago and it really didn't seem that bad. The houses and neighborhoods in northern Modesto seemed very nice, but all I hear when I research the city is the high crime rate, homeless population, pollution, and drug problem.

I also like how Modesto is close to the bay area and a quick 1.5 hour trip to the cities. It's also close to the Sierras. Do you guys think I would regret the move? Is Modesto becoming worse or better as more of the SF residents move there? It's definitely no Denver but I do think it's nice it's so close to the bay area.

Also, how is the weather there? Summer is hot, I know, but I'm from inland LA where it also gets hot in the summer. The nights however cool off significantly, like in Denver, so it isn't so bad in the mornings. Is this the same way in Modesto?

Thanks!

A lot of info here just scroll down and down and find a lot you need to know about Modesto.



https://www.city-data.com/city/Modesto-California.html

[TimTheEnchanter]

If I had a job in Modesto, I'd live in Turlock or Hughson.

[sacreole]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

If I had a job in Modesto, I'd live in Turlock or Hughson.

I would also consider Ripon and Oakdale, which are located 10-15 minutes outside of Modesto.

[apple92680]

River Islands is a developing master-planned community near Tracy. Plus, as the others have said, you've got Ripon and Oakdale nearby too.

[TheGuac]

I guess my main issue is what's so wrong with living in Modesto, especially the northern part? It seems nice to me but I've only been there twice.

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by TheGuac

I guess my main issue is what's so wrong with living in Modesto, especially the northern part? It seems nice to me but I've only been there twice.

Nothing at all wrong with north Modesto or northeast Modesto. Central Modesto also has some nice areas (older homes) but you have to be careful because there are pockets of bad - which is common in every city across the U.S.

Where you're looking, it's a good area. Close proximity to shopping, medical and all those types of businesses you'll need. Quicker access to the freeway (99), like you said. The south and southwest area are where you'll find the homeless and drug culture. But, it's always been that way in that area so it's nothing new. Unlike SF, the city does its best to contain the homeless in specific areas by providing designated areas for them because they know even the homeless need a place so it's been a positive thing there.

Because Modesto is farther south on the map, summer nights don't often cool off as well as areas farther north, like Ripon, Manteca, Lathrop, Tracy, Stockton, Lodi, Etc. The "fan effect" is pretty much diminished by the time you reach Modesto but it's not sweltering. Maybe a few nights during the summer where you may need to keep the a/c going.

If you need recommendations for rentals, I can give you the name of a few property management companies that service that area. Be prepared for sticker shock as rent prices are off the chain and in short supply.

Please don't use Craigslist for your search, though. There are a lot of less honest people on there who use it to scam people. You're much better off contacting a real estate company that does property management. They can assist you and answer specific questions you may have about crime, amenities and anything you want to know. Having lived and worked there for a number of years, I can tell you that there are some great people in Modesto and I never felt unsafe the entire time I lived there.

[TheGuac]

I do like the cool summer nights and if Modesto doesn't experience this then I might need to look further north. What about the pollution and dust? Is air quality still really bad? And the fog? I've read that the tule fog is getting less common in the CV with more urbanization. I lived in the bay for a year and while the fog was annoying, it would always go away by the afternoon. Having days where it doesn't dissipate could be very depressing. Might as well go to Seattle!

[JGC97]

Air quality . . . In some areas, it's not so great but please remember that Stanislaus County and San Joaquin county are primarily agricultural areas. Lots of farms and ranches.

Fog . . . Yes, there is fog and it's thicker in some parts than others. Mostly due to nearby waterways. Take a look at a map and see just where the San Joaquin River runs. On each side of the river lies farmland. Farmers pull water from the river (or they used to before the state put their foot down) so in the winter, and especially if we have normal rainfall, you'll see a lot of, what they call, tule fog. It can get very dense. Sometimes to the point where you can barely see half a white line on the road. Don't let that scare you, though. Our weather pattern has been changing and where I used to see dense fog for days at a time, I rarely see it last more than a day or even just several hours. We are definitely drier than we used to be.

While I like Modesto, the main reason I moved was for the weather and the cooler breeze at night. I also retired so I would home all day, too. I don't want you to think it's terrible there but Modesto is a valley city and and will be a little dustier and hotter. However, if you're working indoors, the daytime heat won't bother you much and (summer) evenings will stay in the 60s to 70s once the sun goes down. Overnight temps usually run a couple of degrees warmer than areas farther north. I live in Lodi and I'm always a couple of degrees cooler than Sacramento and sometimes five degrees cooler than Modesto.

I hope the information I provided is somewhat beneficial but also hope it doesn't dissuade you from taking the job. I think you'd like Modesto, if you don't like the fast paced areas on the far western side of the state. Like you said, you're closer to the Sierra Nevada Mtns, the ocean isn't too far and you're even closer to Yosemite than I am.

Hope some of that helps.

[Jane M]

I love CA. I think it's the best state in the U.S. However, I personally would never leave Denver for Modesto. What kind of salary were you offered?? Modesto is cheap compared to coastal areas of CA, but the drop in living quality will be steep.

Modest is a white trash, crime ridden, strip mall, land-locked suburban hell hole. I would leave CA before living there.

Air quality is consistently terrible in Modesto since it's in the valley. Usually over 100 aqi every day

Hot during the summer! How about spring and fall too? Temperatures generally reach well over 100 almost everyday in summer and frequently in all other seasons except dead of winter. Your "cool" night will start around 3 a.m when it gets down to about 68-70.

A couple of good friends live in Modesto. Their electric bill for a 3 bed room 1400 sq ft house is 400-600 dollars a month. Hope you can swing that. Unless of course, you would like to forego aircon to experience a little heat stroke.

Only 1.5 hours from the bay area? You wish! Many people commute to and from Modesto to reach their crappy, low income jobs in San Jose, etc.. With traffic, it will take you 3 hours to reach the bay. Maybe more. And don't think the traffic follows "job hours" . It doesn't. I have been stuck in STAND STILL type traffic at 1 a.m. going to Modesto.

If I were you, I would reconsider this job offer.