F resno, California is located amidst the lush surroundings of California's Central Valley, nearly equidistant from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Fresno itself lies in the San Joaquin (pronounced wah' keen") Valley, and is rich with agricultural traditions. Fresno offers its residents a top-notch public school system, affordable homes and friendly communities. It also offers an array of artistic and cultural offerings, magnificent national parks, and a variety of local attractions to entertain residents. It is one of the more affordable California communities, and cost of living here continually proves far more economical than the many other parts of the state.

Due in part to its affordability, Fresno has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. It currently supports a population of approximately 451,455 residents today, with a median age of 29 years old. Just over thirty percent of locals here are employed in a professional or managerial capacity. Following in a very close second, some thirty percent of residents are employed in the service industry, while just over sixteen percent work in an administrative capacity. The median household income within Fresno is around $34,445 per year.

While there is an array of housing styles offered in this area, about seventy percent of homes in are single-family detached style, with the remainder found in multi-family complexes. Home ownership has proven to be a solid investment in the area, with steady appreciation over the years. The most popular option for buyers in the city is a two-bedroom model. Recent sales figures indicate that the average purchase price of a home in Fresno is currently well below the rest of the state at $250,000.

Because of this, Fresno continues to draw residents from other communities to plant their roots in the Central Valley. Currently some twenty percent of new residents to Fresno are relocating from Southern California, while an additional quarter arrive from the San Francisco Bay area.

In their free time, you will find Fresno residents engaged in a variety of activities. Fresno offers seven separate public and private golf courses. For those who enjoy hiking and mountain biking, Fresno is an absolute haven. With magnificent national parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon located nearby, locals hardly tire of exploring the great outdoors. Fresno also offers the Forestiere Underground Gardens and aptly-named Blossom Trail.

Locals enjoy going to other popular attractions in the area, including the Chaffee Zoo, located in Roeding Park. Downing Planetarium provides a fun family outing, located on the campus of Fresno State University. The Aquarius Aquarium Institute will soon include a more than two million gallon Oceanarium as its cornerstone exhibit. Arts and culture buffs can take advantage of the fact that Fresno has its own professional ballet company, Philharmonic, and Grand Opera.

Within Fresno, you will find crowds in the city's Tower District, known for its eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants and hotspots. Just outside of the city, many locals enjoy taking advantage of the Madera Wine Trail. Just across the river from Fresno, Madera takes advantage of the region's rich agricultural lands to produce exceptional grapes for wine making. Over a dozen separate wineries are located here, and both their grounds and tasting rooms provide an excellent destination for a day trip.

Fresno is perhaps California's best kept secret. With its open spaces, low cost of living, and high quality of life, it has proven to be a popular site for those who want to enjoy the best of California living, without the hefty price tag. If you are thinking about moving, consider a move to Fresno, California! To learn more about this city, request our "free relocation assistance" today.