Here Are The 10 Cheapest Yet Great Places To Live In Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published January 26, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Southern California is not known for its low cost of living. In fact, it is ranked as the third most expensive state to live in. That being said, it is an awesome place to call home, if you can afford it. The good news is that there are several places in this beautiful part of the country where families can afford to settle down. Check out some of the cheapest cities in Southern California that also happen to be really great places to live.
Oxnard, an oceanside city in Ventura County, is also an agricultural community and has remained one of the most affordable places to find a home in SoCal. It boasts a calm, suburban atmosphere, pretty beaches with sandy lawns, a harbor, and plenty of locally-owned businesses, shops, and restaurants.
Just north of San Diego, Oceanside is a quintessential beach town with lovely weather year-round, long sandy beaches, a historic pier, and cute bungalow-style neighborhoods. It is also located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, making both cities accessible.
The city of Long Beach has a reputation as one of the safest places to live in California and one of the cheapest to boot. It is a great city for families, with plenty of restaurants, beaches, festivals, an aquarium, and more.
Glendale is a great alternative for those who love the idea of living in Los Angeles, but want to find somewhere safer and with a lower cost of living. It has a bit more of a relaxed environment than L.A., but is also a short commute for anyone who chooses to work or play in the city.
The small coastal city of Seal Beach is a quiet, friendly community located at the northern end of Orange County. It is also known to be a tight-knit community and one of the top cities in the country to call home.
Characterized by charming a small-town vibe, avocado and citrus groves, green mountains, and historical landmarks, Santa Paula is a wonderful, laid-back place to call home. Despite the rural feel, it is conveniently located near the cities of Ventura and Santa Barbara. It is also not far from the beach, making it feel like you really can have it all.
Also nicknamed "Hub City," Colton is a suburb of San Bernardino known for being safe, friendly, and inexpensive, and it is thought by many to be an excellent place to raise a family.
In addition to being one of SoCal’s most affordable cities to settle in, Rancho Santa Margarita was listed second by Safewise on its list of California’s Top 50 Safest Cities in 2022. The city has grown due to many small and local businesses but still has a warm, small-town feel.
Redlands has been called "a big town with a small town feel." It was founded in the late 1800s and is known for its beautiful buildings from that time. The cost of living here is cheaper than the state average, and it has a lot of character with museums, gardens, a 1920s amphitheater, and the University of Redlands.
Known for its gorgeous wine country, historic old town, and annual hot air balloon festival, Temecula is a simply lovely place to call home, free of the traffic, overcrowding, and the high expense of SoCal’s big metropolitan areas.
If you are dreaming of a home in California, these 10 cities are definitely worth considering. What do you think of Southern California’s cheapest cities? Do you know of other affordable places to live in SoCal? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Whether you already call this home or want to see what this part of the state is all about, here are some road trip ideas to see the best of SoCal.
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