Moving to the West Coast? What Are the Best Cities You Can Settle In

Making a move to the West Coast requires plenty of organization if you want to be successful. So, besides finding and booking top-notch long-distance moving services, consider picking the right city you’ll live in. Check Portland, Fresno, Eugene, Anchorage, and Spokane, as some of the places people rank the best.

What Criteria Should You Consider Before Moving to the West Coast?

Whether you’re looking for a change of pace or chasing better and warmer weather, the WC has a lot to offer. But with so many great options, it can be tough to decide where to live. If you’re planning a move but are not quite sure where you want to live, here are five criteria you can use to help narrow down your search and find the perfect place to call home.

• Cost of living – One of the first things you’ll want to consider when choosing a city is the cost of living. Big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco are known for being expensive, but there are plenty of more affordable options along the coast. If cost is a major factor in your decision-making process, places like Seattle, Portland, and Sacramento may be worth considering.
• Weather – California is known for its sunny skies and beautiful beaches, but the weather isn’t always perfect. Parts of the state can be quite hot and dry in the summer, and much of the coast experiences regular fog throughout the year. If you’re looking for more consistent weather, somewhere like Phoenix or Las Vegas might be a better fit.
• Job market – The job market is another important consideration, especially if you’re moving to a new city without a job lined up. Fortunately, the West Coast is home to some of the strongest job markets in the country. Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose all have unemployment rates below 4%, while cities like Los Angeles and Portland aren’t far behind. No matter what your career field is, you should be able to find plenty of opportunities on the West Coast.
• Quality of life – Landing a great job is only part of the equation, but you also want to make sure you’re moving to a place with a high quality of life. This is where smaller cities like Boulder and Reno really shine. These places may not have all the amenities of a big city, but they offer a lower cost of living, shorter commute times, and a more laid-back lifestyle. If that sounds appealing, one of these places might be worth considering.
• Diversity – Finally, it’s important to consider diversity when picking your next city. The West Coast is home to people from all corners of the world, so no matter your preferences, you should be able to find a place that’s right for you. If diversity is high on your list of priorities, destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle are definitely worth checking out.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing which West Coast city to call home. By keeping these five factors in mind – the cost of living, weather, job market, quality of life, and diversity – you should be able to find the perfect place for you and how to move. With that said, let’s go over the top five destinations you should consider when relocating to the region.

#1 Portland, Oregon – The Silicon Forest

Although Portland isn’t the most affordable city you can move to (the cost of living is higher than the national average by about 30%), it’s still one of the most desirable destinations people move to. In fact, Portland is not just one of the nicest cities on the West Coast, but it’s also a top-rated American metropolis.

However, one of the biggest reasons why people hire cross-country movers with full packing services to move here is the fact this city is known as the “Silicon Forest” because of its well-established tech sector. Relocating to Portland provides employment chances with businesses like Nike, eBay, Airbnb, and Xerox.

Another amazing fact about this city is that numerous people commute by bicycle. As a result, the bulk of the city’s energy is generated by renewable resources. The City of Roses is actually one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the nation, considering there are 385 miles of bikeways.

Portland Is a Place Where You’ll Never Get Bored

The city has several interesting sites to visit, including Forest Park and the Columbia River Gorge. Portland provides residents with some of the most affordable housing on the West Coast, along with incredible live music venues, amazing restaurants, a thriving art scene, and distinctive nightlife. So, take a bit of your free time to find some of Portland’s best neighborhoods and settle in a place where boredom is an uncommon word.

#2 Fresno, California – Experience All That CA Has to Offer

The weather in California is amazing, and the people are friendly. The scenery is breathtaking, and there’s always something to do. Most people feel lucky to live in such a beautiful state, but if you’re asking where to live in CA, it can be quite hard to decide. Fresno, however, is the perfect place to enjoy sunny California living. With its mild climate and proximity to many outdoor activities, Fresno is a great place to call home.

There are plenty of things to do in Fresno, whether you like to spend your time outdoors or indoors. For those who enjoy being outdoors, there are countless hiking and biking trails to explore, as well as the option to go rafting or kayaking on the nearby Kings River. If you prefer to spend your time indoors, there are plenty of shopping and dining options available in Fresno.

Fresno is also home to many excellent schools, making it a great place for young adults and those who want to raise a family. With its proximity to both Los Angeles and San Francisco, Fresno just could be the place that has it all. So, don’t wait too long, but start looking for a reliable long-distance moving company that will make the transition a breeze.

It Is One of the Most Affordable Spots in California

According to Niche, this is the most reasonably priced city to reside in on the West Coast. Fresno has a median home cost of $256,500, which surely makes it one of the greatest places for millennials. For example, you’ll be paying for a monthly pass of $30 and around $260 for utilities. For renting a one-bedroom apartment, on the other hand, you’ll pay around $1,300.

#3 Eugene, Oregon – Ken Kesey’s Hometown

People relocating from the East Coast to West Coast find it interesting that Ken Kesey, one of the most prolific thinkers and authors of the time, is originally from Eugene. The city served as a major hippie hub and other counter-cultural practices, attitudes, and ways of thinking.

The town’s current standing and reputation have increased to the level of national acclaim it now enjoys as the location of the University’s flagship campus, thanks in large part to certain collegiate football honors. The Division I college football team at Oregon has had a dramatic ascent and expansion over the last 20 years to become a consistent challenger for conference championships.

It Is a True College Town That Welcomes Everybody

Eugene, the city where the University of Oregon is located, is a picturesque college town on the West Coast with something for everyone. Therefore, it is the right place for those who are relocating to college or at least are preparing for a college move. Art lovers can spend some time exploring Eugene’s thriving arts and cultural scene, foodies will enjoy perusing the city’s diverse selection of restaurants, and beer fans can choose from the city’s many craft breweries. All these are reasons that make Eugene a great place for college grads.

For instance, the city is home to a number of well-regarded K-12 public schools, including South Eugene High School and Charlemagne French Immersion School. Eugene is also known as The Emerald City due to its lush, green surroundings and the outstanding outdoor leisure opportunities at adjacent locations, including Spencer Butte, Fern Ridge Reservoir, and Willamette National Forest. Additionally, if you want to enjoy the day at the beach, the distance to the shore is only around one hour!

If you’re looking for interesting things to do here, check out this video.

#4 Anchorage, Alaska – Experience 24 Hours of Daylight

Although Alaska may not immediately spring to mind when considering the West Coast, its largest city, Anchorage, is among the most desirable places to live there. First of all, Chugach State Park and other state and national parks surround Anchorage, making it the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. While summers in Anchorage are lovely and have 24 hours of daylight, the city is one of the greatest for summer vacations despite its generally chilly winters. There are many opportunities to learn and explore the various aboriginal heritages that are recognized in this area.

When it comes to the cost of living, the median price of a home is about $260,000. The median yearly income is a little under $59k; therefore, residents spend roughly 23% of their income on living expenses.

It Is a True Nature Lover Paradise

Hiring professional long-distance movers is completely worth it when relocating to a place like Anchorage, especially if you’re a nature lover. So, here are what you’ll be able to enjoy every day as an Alaska resident:

• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center,
• Anchorage Museum,
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

After sightseeing in Alaska’s countryside, you’ll get hungry. Have breakfast at Snow City Cafe, which includes Nuevo Huevos, Tundra Scramble, and Snow City Latte. If you desire fresh seafood, check out the specialties at Glacier Brewhouse’s fresh Alaskan seafood. Here you can taste Prawn Scampi, Alaska Smoked Salmon Dip, and Bering Sea King Crab Legs.

#5 Spokane, Washington – Growing Job Market

Due to its annual staging of the largest basketball tournament in the world, Spokane is officially known as Hooptown USA. Locally, it is known as “Lilac City” and as the birthplace of Father’s Day.

Since the average age of residents in Spokane is 36, the majority of people are still employed. The largest industries in the region are public administration, mining, agriculture, and healthcare. The Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, and Spokane Public Schools are among the biggest employers. The variety of job opportunities is certainly one of the reasons many people are booking cross-country moving services and preparing a to-do list for the big move.

Spokane Is a Family-Friendly, Tight-Knit Community

West Coast moving to Spokane also means a perfect place for people with kids. In fact, Spokane is ranked as one of the greatest places to raise a family because it’s a location with fewer people and a stronger sense of community.

With a population under 22,000 and a median property value of around $250,000, it is a reasonably priced city. It boasts top-notch public schools, lots of family-friendly recreational opportunities, and a charming city downtown area that hosts numerous community events and activities all year long. Beautiful parks and surrounding wineries are just a few of the attractions available to people of all ages.

No Matter Where You Decide to Live, Relocating to the West Coast Will Be Worth the Trouble

If you’re looking for a change of pace, the West Coast is the perfect place to start fresh. With its incredible scenery and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, the West Coast is hard to beat. So, choose the most suitable city and start preparing for one of the biggest changes in your life.