The city of Stockton has an inland port at the end of a ship channel. It provides easy access to San Francisco Bay.
The city is also a somewhat gritty transport to Central California. Aside from that, Stockton is a distribution and agricultural center.
There are numerous schools in the city you can check out.
These educational institutions enjoyed a glamorous past. There was an attempt to have a stunning comeback. However, the effort seems to be lacking.
The crime rates are higher on this side of California. However, there will always be neighborhoods that are safer than most.
Here, I will discuss more of Stockton and what it has for you.
Is Stockton, CA, a good place to live in? A Pleasant Weather and Great Outdoors
You have already heard a lot of rumors about Stockton in California.
And sure enough, the rumors you have heard have something to do with the crime rates and safety of the city.
However, Stockton is not that bad.
There are a few things that can redeem all these rumors.
Feel free to check out these advantages when living in Stockton. After reading the article, you decide whether the city is perfect for you or not.
The Good Side
Despite the many bad things you may have heard about Stockton, living here still has advantages.
Here are a few positive qualities of Stockton.
A Wide Array of Activities
Before I start, I should tell you that Stockton has a lot of activities for you and your family.
Stockton can keep you busy. There is no end to the things that you can do here.
One of the great places you can visit is the Bob Hope Theater . Stockton also has several museums and parks that you can see.
You can wear your nice clothes and visit any of the many restaurants in the city.
Plus, Stockton has several cultural festivals all year round.
One word of caution, though.
Wherever you may go in Stockton, always take note of the exit. You have to know where to head when the need arises.
Beautiful Weather All Year Round
Well, Stockton is in California. Of course, since the city is in California, you could only expect warm weather for most of the year.
However, when you are in California, the sunny weather is something you would expect. The sunny weather is something you can get in the neighboring city as well.
Because of the weather, you would have enough opportunities to go out and enjoy the many tourist attractions.
Of course, before going out, make sure to keep yourself safe.
A Lower Cost of Living
One of the significant advantages of living in Stockton is its cost of living.
The cost of living here is more affordable.
Before proceeding, I would have to emphasize that the word affordable has a different meaning in California.
The cost of living here is still higher than the national average. However, compared to the rest of California, it is cheaper.
The cost of living here is 13.9% higher than the national average. However, this living cost is cheaper than the rest of California.
Also, Stockton is about 90 minutes away from San Francisco. You have easy access to the many amenities of a bigger city when you want them.
A City of Renewable Energy
Stockton and the rest of California believe in renewable energy.
Together with the rest of the state, the city pushed for the care of Mother Nature. It also made legislation for a healthier ecosystem.
About 80% of the houses in the state have solar panels.
Stockton is a sunny city. Because of that, these solar panels can be of great assistance, especially in pushing for a cleaner environment.
An Industrial and Agricultural Hub
One of the main reasons why people move to Stockton is because it produces agricultural products.
The whole country depends on California for its agricultural produce.
Local farmers grow their crops here. They also go straight to the market to sell their produce.
There is no hoarding. You also eliminate the higher prices slightly.
The Bad Side
There are a few bad sides of Stockton that you should know.
Some of these may be downfalls that can turn you off and change your decision to move. However, I must discuss them before you finalize your decision.
The Increasing Poverty Rate
One of the major disadvantages to living in Stockton is its poverty rate .
The poverty rate of the city sits at 17.1%. This rating is very high compared to the rest of California. It is also a very high number compared to the national average.
The unemployment rate is also higher than the national average. Later, we’ll talk more about this.
The Higher Crime Rates
Let me discuss the crime rates in Stockton.
The crime rates in Stockton are high. It is so high that most people would refer to it as the new Gotham.
Stockton has a crime index of 78.54%. It means that only about 21.46% of those in Stockton feel a certain level of safety.
The level of crime also increased in the last three years to about 87.04%.
The highest type of crime is those related to things being stolen from cars. It sits at 84%. Vandalism and theft are also at 85.58%. Problems with drugs are at 83%.
The only type of crime lower than the others are those related to bribery. It is at around 57% as of this writing.
Stockton has a safety rating of 36.11% during the day. Only about 11.11% believe they are safe to walk alone at night.
Overall, the crime rates in Stockton are pulling the city’s image down.
What is the cost of living in Stockton, CA? A Cheaper Alternative in California
Stockton is about 13.9% more expensive than the rest of the country. However, the city is more affordable than Stockton in the rest of California.
The Good Side
The cost of healthcare is the only cheaper commodity in Stockton.
The California average for healthcare costs is lower than the national average. It sits at 1.8% higher than the national average. However, when it comes to the rest of California, it is still an expensive commodity.
However, with proper care and the right medical insurance, you can save on your healthcare costs in Stockton.
The Bad Side
Stockton has an expensive housing cost compared to the national average. It is about 28.6% higher than the other cities in the country. This number, however, is lower than the rest of California.
When the national average for the median home cost sits at US$291,700, Stockton is at US$389,900. The median home cost in Stockton is more expensive.
The cost of food and groceries in Stockton is also more expensive. It costs roughly 3.9 percent more than the rest of the nation.
Checking out the rest of the commodities, the cost of transportation is also consistent with the rest of the budget pie.
The cost is about 15.5% more expensive in Stockton compared to the rest of the country. Additionally, utility costs are 8.9 percent higher than the national average.
Overall, Stockton’s living cost is higher than the national average.
However, the advantage here is if you compare the city with the rest of California.
California is an expensive state. And if you plan on moving to a sunny city with a lower cost of living, you can check Stockton out.
Why work in Stockton, CA? A Stable Job Market
Working in Stockton has its many advantages. One of these advantages is the lower cost of living. And when I say lower, it is lower than the rest of California.
The economy is also stable. It may not be the strongest, but it is stable. And the job market has been growing in the past year. The growth provides us with hope for a brighter future.
The Good Side
As mentioned, Stockton is an affordable city. Its economy is good enough, and its job market grew last year. These are good signs and may convince you to work here.
A Cheaper City
One of the main advantages of living in Stockton is its affordability. Compared to the rest of California, the city is affordable.
And because it is affordable, you will have enough money left for other things. You can have the extra money added to your savings.
Although, I should clarify that the cost of living here is still higher than in the rest of the country. But if you insist on living in California, Stockton is a cheaper option.
A Stable Economy
The city of Stockton has surrounding farmlands.
Over the years, these farmlands have developed into prominent processing and distribution centers of farm products. Wines are also part of those that undergo processing here.
As you already know, Stockton has an agriculturally-based economy.
However, the telecommunications and manufacturing sectors have also entered the city over the past few years. These two industries played essential roles in building the city’s economy.
The city is also home to several manufacturing companies. These companies include Crown Bolt, Dopaco, Martin-Browner, Sortex, Noll Manufacturing, and Aisin.
There are also high technology companies here. The roster of high technology companies includes Applied Aerospace Company, Sigma Circuits, and Bay Area Circuits.
Finally, other companies have their regional operations here.
These companies include PacWest Telecommunications, Golden State Lumber Company, and Duraflame.
Aside from these companies, the city has a port that plays a vital role in the city’s economy.
The city and the port work together to keep the economy stable and robust.
Job Market
Let me clarify this first.
The unemployment rate in Stockton is higher than the national average. However, the previous year saw an increase in the job market by 2.2%. Also, the future job growth for the next ten years is at 33.6%.
The forecast is slightly higher than the US average forecast of 33.5%.
The Bad Side
Of course, there will always be downfalls of working in Stockton.
Before you finalize your decision, you must check these factors to make an informed decision.
Tax Rates and Average Income
One of the most glaring disadvantages to working in Stockton is the high tax rates.
Sales tax is 8.9% in Stockton. It is higher than the 7.3 percent national average. The income taxes here fare no better. Income tax rates in Stockton sit at 9.3%, a rate higher than the national average of 4.6%.
Also, when you peek at the average income, you will realize that it is lower than the US average.
The average income of a resident is about US$19,927 per year. This amount is lower than the US national average of US$28,555 per year.
The median household income is also lower.
Stockton’s median household income is US$45,347 per year. The national average is higher at US$53,482 per year.
Bad Public Transportation
If you are moving to Stockton, make sure to have a car.
Well, there is a public transportation system in place. However, you might as well not trust it.
Here, you have limited options when it comes to public transport.
Now, the question is, what if you don’t have a car? How do you get from Point 1 to Point 2?
Well, you can use the bike lanes. The city has a lot of them.
However, would you dare take your bike with the city’s crime rates higher than the rest of the country?
I doubt it.
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There are several disadvantages to moving to Stockton.
The city’s crime rate is the most prominent reason one should not move here.
However, there are redeeming qualities that you should also look into. One of these is the cost of living which is lower than most cities in California.
Also, Stockton has a lot of activities in store for you once you come here.
And if you are worried about the crime rates, check out Spanos Park, Weston Ranch, and Brookside properties.
These three neighborhoods are the safest in Stockton.
Now, we already have the crime rates out of the picture.
Would you move to Stockton?
Let me know.
