2021 Best Places to Live in the Modesto Area

Turlock

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.74 out of 5  193 reviews

Current Resident: Turlock has an outstanding community! Although, Covid-19 has interfered with most community outings a friendly smile awaits at local stores or friendly neighbors. There are a few issues involving homelessness in this growing city, but that is an issue which has been brought up in multiple town meetings in which I am sure they will resolve quickly. Nonetheless, Turlock is green and full of aspiring members who keep the community safe and clean.
Read 193 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• 72,904 Population

Ripon

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.95 out of 5  73 reviews

Current Resident: RIpon is a jewel in the Central Valley of California. It’s a small tight-knit community that is safe for raising a family. Crime is low. Schools are great. It is a little over an hour to San Francisco or Sacramento and well as the entrance to Yosemite. RIpon is growing and offering more restaurants monthly and the city is in the process of adding activities like a rock climbing gym. RIpon is a small town so you cannot expect the town to have the hustle & bustle of a big city, but it is a friendly community where people look you in the eye to say hello, even if they do not know you. I would not choose any other place in California to raise my family. Most any interest or activity people desire is close by and only a short drive away. The ACE (Altamont Corridor Express) train is expanding and will be coming to RIpon in the near future as well.
Read 73 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A minus

• 15,777 Population

Oakdale

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.86 out of 5  71 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, Oakdale is a wonderful place to grow up in. The people are kind and usually welcoming. The elementary schools are diverse academically, not so much culturally. The high school has few opportunities unless the kids are interested in agriculture. The clubs not associated with agriculture are usually thrown together hastily as if they're trying to reach a quota (not speaking for all, only the ones I tried to join). Growing up with gay fathers, my family did experience some social exclusion. Unfortunately, there are few social events, maybe about fifteen a year. If you are looking for nightlife, this is not the place, however, there are nice clubs and stores about 40 minutes away in traffic.
Read 71 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• 22,936 Population

Del Rio

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  6 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• 1,592 Population

Riverbank

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.41 out of 5  74 reviews

Current Resident: Overall Riverbank is a great city. I wish there were more family oriented places for entertainment. I love the schools and the community is always very kind and helpful. The crime rates are low and the schools are good. The restaurants are really good but we need more variety. We need a community garden and more technology in our schools.

Housing is good, there are some areas that need improvements but overall the neighborhood are really nice. There are big stores like Target, save marts, kohls, etc but I feel like we don't need more retail stores. We need to expand the agriculture and farming. A lot of fields were destroyed to build houses and stores but we need to stop that. We should have more farms.
























































































































































































































































































.
Read 74 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 24,482 Population

Salida

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  31 reviews

Current Resident: We moved from the Bay Area 33 years ago, we
Have raised our children and have been happy here, we have had good neighbors that have become family through the years...We are close to everything and can afford a lifestyle that we could never have had in the Bay Area.
Read 31 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 14,229 Population

East Oakdale

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful ag and open lands, views of mountains, the Stanislaus River, wildlife, easy proximity to Gold Country, Yosemite and Tahoe for recreation, and to Modesto, Stockton or Turlock for jobs. People love walking and cycling here. Relaxed friendly feel. Very safe. Terrific farmstand produce but weak restaurant scene, shopping and very limited nightlife. Great place to raise a family or retire. Well regarded High School with fanatical football fans. East Oakdale is one of those rare "heaven on Earth" places.
Read 2 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• 2,839 Population

Modesto

• City in California
• Rating 3.28 out of 5  515 reviews

Current Resident: Modesto is a cute little town, personally I have lived in Modesto my entire life and as I stroll downtown with friends I seem to come across a new shop each time. Modesto is a quiet town to where you are able to relax and breathe in some country air but it is also loud enough to where you are not dying of boredom. There are great people in this town and lifelong friends to be made. Some parts of the town are better than others but the best part about Modesto is that a lot of people in this town have started from the bottom up and have thriving local businesses such as the Gallo winery. Modesto is also close to a lot of other attraction sites so you are never far from missing out on all the fun! There are great schools with great academic programs, Modesto is also close to an amazing CSU. It is great place to raise kids, pursue your passions and retire with the love of your life. Modesto will forever be a welcoming town!
Read 515 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 212,616 Population

Hughson

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in this small town for about 15 years. One thing I love is the orchards since it is a farming community. My favorite is time is late summer because of the sweet smell of peaches. Some changes I would like to see is more attractions and diversity. These changes go hand in hand because if people were drawn here, maybe we will see more diverse groups. This town only has a few shops, which is great, but there hasn't been anything new and exciting happen for a while.
Read 12 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B

• 7,460 Population

Escalon

• Town in California
• Rating 3.86 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: Escalon is a very small, safe, and quiet town where everybody knows everyone. However, there is very little cultural diversity and not too many activities to do since it is a small town. It is not to far away from larger towns with more activities though!
Read 28 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B

• 7,538 Population

Atwater

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.27 out of 5  96 reviews

Current Resident: Area is safe compared to Merced.

The McSwain homes are wealthy and well-kept.

This is the best choice to live in Merced County.

Would definitely recommend this city!
Read 96 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• 29,296 Population

Newman

• Town in California
• Rating 3.3 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: We’ve lived in Newman for about 11 years now and I do feel like it considerably safe. This little town has only 2 stop lights, but is within a 30min-1 hour drive to the “larger” cities. The nearest Walmart is about 30 minutes away. There are quite a few parks for the younger kids in town, but I honestly am not sure why the nightlife is rated so high - I feel like “locally” there isn’t much for the outgoing twenty-something. Also noted as liberal location? I honestly find that hard to believe, I believe a good portion of the Central Valley rural towns are conservative. Regardless, it’s a fairly peaceful city for commuters (good paying jobs are scarce). However It does have issues with dogs roaming the streets (owner issues), animal control is always busy.
Read 27 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade C+

• 11,317 Population

Empire

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade C+

• grade B

• 4,051 Population

Denair

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.82 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: Denair is a very tight knit community where everyone looks out for one another. Although it may not be for everyone, in this small community, everyone knows everything about everyone.
Read 17 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade C+

• 5,101 Population

Merced

• Town in California
• Rating 3.26 out of 5  295 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Merced for about two years now and so far I like it. However, I feel as though the city should start expanding more by providing more places to eat and shop, including renovations at the mall. With more students going to UC Merced, the population is growing so they should start building another Target, Walmart, etc. I come from a city that has many Targets, Walmarts, a large mall with various stores, lots of chain restaurants, and fun places like bowling or ice skating. I feel like Merced should start implementing these types of places as it's growing.
Read 295 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• 82,662 Population

Livingston

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.83 out of 5  24 reviews

Current Resident: I liked everything about Livingston. I like how its quiet and small town to live in. There are lots of community events that happen in a park where everyone is allowed to attend. There are Sweet Potato festivals,4th of july festivals, Trunk or treat, Gifts from santa,small Flee market and many more.
Read 24 Reviews

• grade C

• grade C+

• 14,228 Population

Waterford

• Town in California
• Rating 3.62 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Waterford, California is a very small town with less than 10,000 people residing in it. It's a nice town to settle down in as the school system, recreational aspect, and food culture are all average due to the limited access it has to major chain-industries and resources of income. Waterford, however, does have an exceptional family friendly community that cares about education and safety of residents. Coming from a large city myself, it has been an adjust to the small town feel, yet, ultimately, it allows for everyone to know each other and create a peaceful atmosphere for people to thrive in.
Read 13 Reviews

• grade C

• grade B minus

• 8,877 Population

Delhi

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 2.89 out of 5  36 reviews

Current Resident: Been living here for around a year and it's a very nice, small city. I enjoy the times a go on walks, the weather is very nice and the people here are as equally as pleasant. The weather can sometimes become bad during the fall and winter, but besides that, it always seems to be sunny. Delhi's school are also great. The neighborhoods here a very peaceful and there doesn't seem to be much of a ruckus when it's night time. Your neighbors will most likely be the greatest neighbors you've ever had. Even my mother has made friends with a couple of the neighbors. There is a lot of diversity here as well. Since were in the middle of a pandemic, this city takes safety seriously. All of the stores here require you to wear masks. People who go on walks wear masks and keep their distance when they come across some when on their walk. I would definitely recommend coming to live here at Delhi, your family will have a pleasant time here.
Read 36 Reviews

• grade C

• grade C+

• 12,301 Population

Gustine

• Town in California
• Rating 3.44 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: I came from the monterey/salinas area. Where the cost of living is crazy. Being an injured worker on social security disability I could only afford to rent a room. Here I was given a honest start with a man that was an angel in disquise. R.I.P. now that the property has been sold and am in the hands of another. Everything is different. I have random unmasked men coming in out of my yard. My rent tripled in price. I can not afford to even pay attention. I alsohave an autistic stepson and he doesnt uderstand why he cant have "His" food. The town is so quiet that I like. Not alot of cars and loud music or sirens. The location I love. The new landlord notso much
Read 9 Reviews

• grade C

• grade C minus

• 5,813 Population

Winton

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.44 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: My experience about living in Winton for so long has I would say it has been great. My experience has been great because for the past years that I've lived here nothing bad has happened to me and my family. Something I like about Winton would be that there are many people of different race. Seeing people from different race isn't the only thing I like about Winton; but in fact something else I like would be that everyone is friendly. If there was something I would like to see changed in Winton would be that it could use a cleaning and not see many homeless people in the streets.
Read 9 Reviews

• grade C

• grade B minus

• 11,288 Population

Ceres

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.18 out of 5  125 reviews

Current Resident: The typical small town of the Central Valley.

Clean neighborhood; the streets and sidewalks do not have trash and there are clearly painted lanes. Children and pet-friendly with many playgrounds and a dog park as well. The community center offers recreational programs, opportunities, and skill classes for people of all ages. There are a soccer complex and a golf course right next to it. Many chain restaurants are available and grocery stores conveniently next to the neighborhoods.

However, there is always heavy traffic and backed up ramps off the freeway around 5 pm. There are only two exits to the freeway and one is feet away from Ceres High School (very busy in mornings & afternoons). Late at night people continuously drag race or do donuts with their loud cars close to neighborhoods.
Read 125 Reviews

• grade C

• grade B minus

• 48,214 Population

Keyes

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade C

• grade B minus

• 6,548 Population

Patterson

• Town in California
• Rating 3.58 out of 5  50 reviews

Current Resident: It's a quiet rural town. No traffic , lots of trees and fields of tomatoes, corn, melons etc. It's beautiful when almond
and apricot trees are blooming with flowers! I only wish we have Costco, Target, Hobby Lobby, and Barnes and Noble. As of now we have only Walmart and Savemart for big stores . Pharmacy... we're good with CVS & Walgreens plus savemart & walmart drugstore. Good School surround the area and just about short drive to Stanislaus University and Modesto Junior College. It's a nice area to raise kids.
Read 50 Reviews

• grade C minus

• grade C+

• 22,066 Population

Bystrom

• Suburb of Modesto, CA
• Rating 3.2 out of 5  5 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade B

• 3,759 Population

Riverdale Park

• Suburb of Modesto, CA

• grade C minus

• grade B

• 1,033 Population