Moving Across the Country? Here are the Best Places to Live in California for Young Adults

April 20, 2022 / Posted in City Guides
Blake Shaw

Bostonian and residential moving and packing expert. Blake Shaw enjoys bar-hopping, music, and writing insightful content.

Living in the state of California is a classic American dream, and it definitely promises a lot. But what are the best places to live in California for young adults? Being so peaceful and relaxed, this state also attracts many retirees, but you don’t want to make a mistake and move to an area where the majority of residents will be significantly older than you. Don’t worry, just follow this guide, and you’ll be on the right track. 

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Cali is one of the most attractive states in the whole country

Where Do Most Young Adults Live in California?

It won’t be hard to find enough reasons to move to Cali. The state with lots of sunshine, amazing beaches, and delicious food – what more could you possibly ask for? Well, for starters, if you’re a younger person or simply want to have an exciting and outgoing lifestyle, you must be wondering where you can find people with similar preferences around Golden State. Where is the best place for young adults to live? 

There is no one simple answer to this because it all depends on so many factors. For example, if you are wondering where is the most affordable place to live in California, most people will recommend you to avoid LA and San Francisco and recommend Long Beach or Sacramento. If, on the other hand, you are a mid-twenties professional who wants to succeed in your career, relocating to Santa Monica can be an excellent choice. So it all depends on what you’re looking for.

Los Angeles
You can find younger crowds in all the popular cities

#1 Santa Monica Is the Best City for Those Looking for an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

Situated on the Pacific Ocean, right at the crossroad of Pacific Coast Highway and California Interstate Highway 10, this city is one of the most charming and beautiful beach fronting places in the whole area. It is close to Malibu and Venice, and it is easily accessible from LA International Airport. 

This is a lovely, sophisticated beach town combining edgy culture with big city business amenities, making it perfect for younger professionals.

It is also one of the most recommended options for environmental activists.

Santa Monica has 92,200 residents

This county actually takes many steps to promote green energy solutions, eco-tourism, and sustainable housing, with the idea for this area to use 100% renewable energy and green sources by 2030. Such an environment is a big motivation for a healthy lifestyle, and the whole population is very active when it comes to sports and various recreational activities. You definitely won’t experience any depression after relocating here because the fun and active lifestyle will always brighten up your mood and help you stay happy and positive. 

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Moving to Santa Monica Requires a Bigger Budget

When it comes to the cost of living, this is not one of the cheapest options, but most places in Cali have prices that are much higher than the national average. If you plan to move out of state on a budget, you should consider that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in this area is around $2,600

It is recommended that you get a job before you move, but life here will totally be worth the price if you consider that you’ll be living in an eco-paradise, perfect for raising a family

woman holding apartment keys
70% of residents in Santa Monica rent their homes

#2 Los Angeles Offers Exciting Lifestyle and Numerous Amenities

Los Angeles is one of the most attractive cities for millennials because of numerous options when it comes to business and places to go out and explore. The City of Angels is one of the most interesting spots for singles and younger professionals, thanks to the impressive food scene, lovely beaches, plenty of shopping options, and exciting nightlife. 

Relocating from a small town to a big city like this will definitely require a big relocation budget, especially if you’re relocating to the city alone.

If you want to save on relocation costs, you should definitely follow some house-hunting tips and probably find a roommate.

63% of Los Angeles residents rent their homes

Housing options in certain areas are overpriced, but if you try finding a home around some of the best areas to live in Los Angeles for young professionals, you will probably stumble upon some more affordable options. However, you should still know that the median rent here, according to the website Niche, is $1,790. 

Find Out Where Do Young Professionals Live in Los Angeles

The final question is, where do most 20-year-olds live in LA? Some of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for young professionals are:

  • Los Feliz,
  • West Hollywood,
  • Venice Beach,
  • Hancock Park
  • Silver Lake.

If you opt for Los Angeles as your next home, look into all the prices of housing long before you pick up the phone to hire Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving team to help you with the move.

Neighborhood Median Home Value Median Rent
Los Feliz $1,361,070 $2,090
West Hollywood $898,900 $1,969
Venice Beach $1,824,159 $2,828
Hancock Park $1,651,134 $2,586
Silver Lake $1,286,278 $1,969

When you move to some of the best LA neighborhoods for young professionals, you’ll have plenty of options for education and to excel in your career. Some of the things to consider when relocating for a job are that professions that are currently in high demand are:

  • Registered Nurse,
  • Security Office,
  • Account Executive,
  • Sales Associate.
a woman in los angeles california
Los Angeles is an amazing place to call home

#3 San Francisco Offers the Most Business Opportunities and Lovely Architecture

When you consider the best cities around Cali, one of the first places that come to your mind has to be San Francisco. After all, this place is recognized for its unique entertainment, beauty, and colorful architecture, as well as the growing tech market and incredible food options, especially for vegans and those looking for healthier meals. It is less populated than LA but still known as one of the cities with the most diverse community in the US. 

Another reason to move here as a younger adult is the low crime rate – you can move safely, knowing that you can comfortably walk alone and follow your dreams. Rich nightlife might be attractive at a young age, but as soon as you start planning a family, safety will be one of the most important priorities, and luckily, you’ll already be here, where the crime rate is lower than the national average.

One of the Best Things About San Francisco Is High Income

Still thinking if relocating to another state is a good idea? Unlike relocating to a smaller town, this place offers plenty of business possibilities, and incomes here are enormous – San Francisco actually has the second-highest average annual salary in Cali. Almost every resident is well-educated, and most of them have a college degree, so this is a place where you can meet plenty of prospective professionals. 

With high incomes, you have to be prepared for the higher cost of living, especially when it comes to housing. While the average monthly net salary after tax is almost $7,500, you’ll need about $3,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in a central location per month, according to Numbeo stats.

San Francisco
Finding an affordable home around San Francisco can be challenging

#4 Sacramento Is One of the Best Places to Live in California for Young Adults

Sacramento recently became a synonym for a high quality of life because, in this category, this place has the highest index in the whole of Cali, and you have to admit that the competition is pretty strong. With a pleasant climate year-round and plenty of things to do, this attractive place is one of the best options for younger people. What do you need to rent an apartment around here? The current average price for a one-bedroom apartment in the center is $2,150, which is considered more than reasonable for California. 

Sacramento Is Among the Most Affordable Cities in California

The median income around here is about $78,955, making everything you need pretty affordable. If you’re interested in outdoor activities, the options here are numerous. With plenty of parks and outdoor recreation areas, this can also be one of the ideal solutions for those relocating with pets

Most neighborhoods in Sacramento have friendly communities, so you’ll enjoy becoming a part of them while meeting your new neighbors and exploring the surrounding areas. Sacramento is also known for many interesting theaters, museums, art exhibitions, and galleries. The food and restaurant industry is also flourishing, so you can find plenty of affordable organic eateries. 

Sacramento at night
Sacramento is perfect for those relocating on a budget

#5 Settling Down in Long Beach Can Be a Great Choice for Open-Minded People

Thinking about hiring movers and finding a home in Long Beach? This coastal city is positioned just 20 miles south of LA, and it is actually a renowned shipping port of southern Cali and the sixth-largest city in the state. Recognizable for multiple famous attractions in the waterfront area and a pleasant small-town feel combined with big-city urban amenities, plenty of shopping options, and interesting dining spots, this is definitely one of the top cities for young people. 

Statistics show that about 17% of the population declares as LGBTQ+, which makes Long Beach one of the most diverse and open-minded communities in the whole country. No matter what your sexual orientation and preferences are, where you are coming from, and what you plan to do, you’ll be accepted and welcomed here, so you can feel comfortable knowing you’ll have a stress-free relocation. One of the interesting things about this place is that it has neighborhoods with the highest concentration of same-sex homeowners and the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. 

Long Beach Has a High Cost of Living But a Very Welcoming and Loving Community

The average cost of living in Long Beach is about 43% higher than the national average, so this is definitely one of the important things to consider before relocating here. It is more affordable than SF and LA, but still not cheap.

Most of the residents, around 60%, rent their homes in Long Beach. For the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, you’ll need approximately $2,375, while the average monthly salary after tax is about $4,800. 

Long Beach
Long Beach offers more affordable housing than LA and SF

Now That You Know Where the Only Thing Left Is to Plan Your Move With the Help of Professional Long Distance Movers

No matter, if you’re relocating to a small town in Cali or planning to relocate to some of the metropolitan areas, getting professional long-distance moving services, can make the whole process much smoother and more efficient. Trained and experienced cross-country movers can offer you outstanding packing services and implement various relocation hacks.

And if you hire Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving, know that we offer a wide range of relocation-related assistance. Besides cross-country moving services, we offer storage services, which can be fantastic if you’re relocating from a house to an apartment. 

Our trustworthy long-distance moving company is also a car shipping company, so you can also get auto transport services if you wish to relocate your vehicle. And don’t forget about moving insurance. We have it, so you can feel comfortable knowing all of your stuff will be replaced in case of damage or any unexpected accidents. Give us a call, book your move, and become Californian in no time.

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