Its alright!
-
6/29/2017
I was born and raised in Modesto. Lived here for 20 + years. This town is alright. Summer gets way too hot reaching 115 degrees sometimes while winter will hit us with the low 30's. Dry summers and recently we had some heavy rain this year.
The people here are ok. Lots of diversity. Lots of Latinos/Hispanics which shows off California's growing population. Asians and Blacks even out as well.
Home prices are modest compared to other cities in California. 250k will get you a nice home.
Schools are not the best to be honest. Do not have nice things to say about any of them. I don't feel students are encouraged as much. Surrounding cities such as Ceres and Turlock probably have better school districts.
Junior College does produce great students. Great place to go with great professors. Has given many people chances such as first generation students or adults who trying to get their degrees.
Pretty religious. Churches are on every corner. Couple of Temples here and there as well.
I'd say the politics are Moderate. They don't stick out though. If you are pretty liberal you'll fit in. Not a radical city but its definitely open to ideas. Our newspaper has produced many left leaning articles so its starting to represent a growing population in our city. Conservatives won't be ousted. Lots of country for those who lean towards the right.
Crime and drugs are kind of bad according to our statistics. I personally have never witnessed any crazy incidents but you'll constantly read about drug busts, violent events, or bodies being found. Again, the people I know have never witnessed such things. And most folks around here think its a generally safe town to raise a family in. I've lived in bad neighborhoods, modest neighborhoods, and upper class neighborhoods. Never felt unsafe staying out at night shooting some hoops with friends or playing soccer on any of those streets.
Downtown has definitely improved since I was young. New hip restaurants aimed at young adults have opened up. Area around the Movie Theatre and Gallo Center are constantly getting updated so thats a bright spot in the city. There are things to do, you just have to go out and look for them. You will definitely find some cool food spots.
Modesto is alright. Its right in the middle of Sacramento/San Francisco/ Yosemite/Fresno. The mountains are an hour away and the beach is an hour and a half away. You can head out and come back in the same day. Not a great place to visit but an OK place to live. There are certain days during Fall or Spring that Modesto's odd beauty really shows. I don't wish I was born anywhere else. But I do plan on moving lol. I will definitely come back tho. Shout out to the boy George Lucas on the real man.
Derek | Modesto, CA