The 3 Top West Coast Cities You Should Live In

Planning on moving to the West Coast? Before doing so, it may be a good idea to do some research before making a big move. There are several factors to think of before moving; cost of living, city size, traffic, school system, safety, job opportunities, accessibility to healthcare, and more, per Invitation Homes. 

You especially don't want to regret moving, as you'll most likely feel it instantly as soon as you move into your new home, according to Hire a Helper. Americans who regretted moving in 2021 were surveyed, and at least 26% of them regretted their move immediately, as well as after one month.

So, we've found the top three West Coast cities you may be happy with. Your home should be your sanctuary away from everyday stress, so it's important to make the right choice before moving — even if you'll just be renting an apartment. These cities may hit all of your important moving criteria, so take a look to discover the city that could possibly have your next dream home.

If you're looking for a city selling affordable homes, La Grande, Oregon may be the place for you, per Clever Real Estate. The population is only about 13,000, and the average cost of a home is $180,400 — which is lower than the national average. The average income is also only about $40,500, but that may not be a problem as the town is small and has low living costs. If you're looking for somewhere safe, La Grande is also known to have a low crime rate.

Those hoping to raise a family in La Grande or move existing children to the city will also appreciate its education system, per Citytistics. The teachers are highly qualified and paid well, and the government and community have responsibly invested in the education system. The city has seen high rates of college enrollment compared to the average college enrollment rates of other cities.

Richland, Washington is also a great place to move and has a higher population of 53,000, per Clever Real Estate. The average cost of homes is $336,300; however, the average household income is about $70,000 — which is higher than the national average. This city also has a high school graduation rate of 92%, which also beats the national average. This area tends to get really warm, so it'll be a great location for those who enjoy the heat.

This city also has a low poverty and crime rate, per Citytistics. Compared to the national average, Richland's crime rate is much lower. 23 per 1,000 people suffer from some sort of committed crime, one per 1,000 faced a violent crime, and 21 per 1,000 faced a property crime. Although some parts of the city may deal with crime issues, it is still dealt with at a lower rate when compared to the rest of the country.

If you're looking for a place to settle down and retire, Laguna Woods, California may be worth looking at, per Clever Real Estate. The average age is 78 years old, and there are many retirement communities to choose from. However, if you're hoping to move there for employment opportunities, you're also in luck as Laguna Woods' current economic standing is thriving. The average income per capita is about $40,000, which is 32% higher than the national average and 25% higher than the state of California. It's also a safe place to live, as the crime rate is 71% lower than the national average.

The education system in the system is also a beneficial factor for living here, per Citytisitcs. The percentage of people enrolling in college is higher than the state average, and also has a diverse curriculum and safe learning environment — as well as great facilities for students, such as libraries, computer rooms, and laboratories.