Career Advice

Best Places to Live and Work in California

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Last Updated on March 26, 2024

California: The land of sunshine, beaches, movie stars, and fantastic food. There is much to love about the Golden State, from its ample job opportunities and high-quality education to the rich mixture of cultures in the way of both people and arts.

You can enjoy big city living, like that of San Francisco apartments, or opt for a quieter residence, like those in San Bernardino. Achieving a great work-life balance can be an easy task on the West coast.

Fresno

Fresno has blossomed into a metropolis that draws people of an agricultural mindset. Fresno County farms surround the area, providing organic foods from almonds and pistachios to tomatoes and peaches.

There is a diverse job market here, fairly priced housing, and many things to do in the way of culture and nightlife.

Agriculture makes up almost 25 percent of the workforce, providing more than $3.5 billion for the local economy.

California: The land of sunshine, beaches, movie stars, and fantastic food. There is much to love about the Golden State, from its ample job opportunities and high-quality education to the rich mixture of cultures in the way of both people and arts.Click To Tweet

Vallejo and Fairfield

According to a ranking released by U.S. News & World Report in early 2021, these cities (which lie 18 miles apart) are ranked 135 of the best places to live in the nation, based upon affordability, job prospects, and desirability. 

The cities fell just below the largest metro areas in California, proving that they are a great escape for those looking to leave crowded Bay Areas.

Vallejo has great ethnic and cultural diversity and a flourishing artist community. The housing costs there are relatively low, and a ferry system is available for those looking to commute to San Francisco. 

Fairfield is home to Travis Air Force Base, the city’s main employer, and economic foundation.

San Jose

Those looking for a work-life balance while being employed by the tech sector should start searching here. Known as the Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is noted not only for its ample job market, but cultural diversity and beautiful natural landscape. There is much to do outside an office here. 

San Jose is home to over 6,600 technology companies and start-ups, which dictates the youthful population there. Recent college graduates and young entrepreneurs flock here in the hopes of landing a high-paying job.

Major global companies like Cisco Systems, eBay, Adobe Inc., PayPal, Broadcom, Acer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Zoom are headquartered here.

San Jose is also home to a plethora of eateries, many public art displays, performing arts companies, and several sports teams, making it diverse in the way of things to do.

Sacramento

The state’s capital is great for folks looking for a career in a variety of areas. The job market is varied, with top industries in the transportation, government, agriculture, and mining, sectors. Growth has been seen in the way of technology, healthcare, construction, hospitality, and education jobs. 

Sacramento is currently one of the best cities for job seekers. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 34.8%, which is higher than the US average of 33.5%.

The cost of living here is 16% lower than the state average and 33% lower than neighboring San Francisco.

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