Many members of the LGBT community who live in conservative states see California as a land full of liberty. They want to move to the state so they can be free to be themselves. Moving to San Francisco or Los Angeles may be the dream, but that dream is often shattered once they see how much it costs to live in either of these cities. Even renting a small apartment can cost three or four times what it does in another state. Fortunately, there are many parts of California that are much more reasonably priced. If you’re considering moving to the state, but can’t afford some of the more expensive areas, you might look at these cities.
San Buenaventura
San Buenaventura, generally referred to as Ventura, is located between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. It’s considered a part of the LA Metro Area, but it’s much more affordable than many other parts of the metro. The average household income here is only a little over $65,000. While that may seem high, that’s often the combined income of two people. You have access to everything in LA and in Santa Barbara, plus Ventura itself has a good amount to offer.
Oxnard
Oxnard is north of Los Angeles and, like Ventura, offers affordable living. You can actually find beachfront property here for a reasonable price, especially if you have a great real estate agent. Mandalay Beach is located in Oxnard and is just as lovely as any beach in the LA area, plus you can attend the California Strawberry Festival every year, pick up local wine from the wineries, and play golf on the city’s highly regarded course.
Camarillo
Camarillo is also located in Ventura County, so it’s not that far from the LA area, either. It’s home to its own airport, naval air station, and branch of California State University. While Camarillo is a little more expensive than Ventura and Oxnard, it’s still very affordable when compared to LA proper or many parts of San Francisco.
Vacaville
If you want to live near San Francisco, Vacaville is a good option. It’s about an hour from SF proper, but homes are much more affordable. Many of the people here work on nearby farms or ranches, and the city itself has a nice, small-town feel to it even though it’s home to about 100,000 people.
These are just four great affordable places in California for those on a budget.