4 California Cities Make 2016 Money Magazine List of Best Places to Live

Money Magazine has released its annual list of Best Places to Live, with four California cities making the Top 50 list.

The coveted list is carefully compiled, with 60 factors analyzed, including taxes, education, jobs, home affordability and health care.

Topping the list this year is Columbia, Maryland, a planned community with home prices just over $300,000. Rounding out the top five are Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Plano, Texas; West Des Moines, Iowa and Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey.

Four California cities made the list:

• Eastvale
  
• Irvine
  
• San Ramon
  
• Fremont

Here’s a closer look at California’s winners:

The top-rated California community is a town you may not have heard of before. No. 17 is Eastvale. Money says, “Tucked in a desert valley about 45 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Eastvale feels like a shiny new toy. Eastvale is one of the newest cities on our list; it was built on land formerly owned by dairy farmers and incorporated only six years ago. There isn’t a pothole in sight, and nearly every house, school and store was built this century.” Median home prices are under $500,000 for a 3,000-square-foot home. See more about Eastvale

At No. 20 on the list, also in Southern California, is Irvine. Irvine was recently honored for its safety as a college town. Money also made note of Irvine’s safety: “It’s no wonder people flock to Irvine; it boasts high-paying jobs, stellar public schools and a quick 10-mile drive to the coast. Plus, for 11 years running, the FBI has named this family-oriented Orange County city one of the safest in the country.” See more about Irvine

Coming in at No. 21 is San Ramon in Northern California. Money writes, “In many ways, San Ramon is Northern California’s answer to Irvine, with its manicured cul-de-sac neighborhoods, plethora of parks, and stellar schools—most earn a rating of 10 out of 10 on Great Schools. It has many in-town job options, including the corporate headquarters for Chevron and 24-Hour Fitness, San Ramon Medical Center, and Roundhouse, a major conference center. It’s also a relatively easy commute to Oakland (about 25 miles), San Francisco (35 miles) and San Jose (40 miles), putting it at the epicenter of job growth throughout the Bay Area.” See more about San Ramon

The final California community on this year’s Money list is Fremont, coming in at No. 46. Money notes, “This former Gold Rush town, named for American explorer John Charles Frémont, sits in the San Francisco Bay Area’s southeast section. A college town (Ohlone College and Northwestern Polytechnic University are here), Fremont has a diverse population, including the largest Afghan-American population in the U.S. Many local residents work in nearby Silicon Valley, though companies including Lam Research, Fremont Bank, and Silicon Graphics International are just a few of the corporations that have built their headquarters in Fremont. Top 10 employers include Tesla and Kaiser Permanente.” See more about Fremont

See the complete Top 50 List here

-Image via San Ramon Parks & Community Services Facebook page