Thousands of people are moving to Stockton every year, enjoying the family-friendly attractions, affordable homes and apartments, and terrific job opportunities. Yet there are dozens of Stockton neighborhoods you can move to. Each one has something special to offer, which can make it hard to find the best neighborhoods in Stockton. You can break the best Stockton CA neighborhoods down with this comprehensive guide.
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Downtown Stockton | Trendy Neighborhood for Business Owners and Attractions
- Population: 2,737
- Average rent: $1,130
- Median home price: $341,250
- Downtown Stockton crime: 172% higher than the Stockton average
Downtown Stockton (also called Civic Center) is the major commercial center of Stockton CA. There are more than 50 Downtown Stockton restaurants, including popular eateries like Cast Iron Trading. The Regal Stockton City Center is the leading Downtown Stockton movie theater, showing the latest blockbusters, international movies, and indie flicks.
The businesses and tourist attractions give you opportunities to find fun things to do in Stockton. You can also find lucrative job opportunities and chances to open your own business. The Downtown Stockton Alliance is a non-profit organization of nearly 1,000 property owners and businesses in the downtown area. The organization gives grants to local businesses, organizes public events, and raises awareness of Stockton Downtown.
You can find affordable Stockton office space for rent in the downtown district. Several buildings are renting out spaces between 200 and 8,000 square feet, letting you run any type of business. You can rent your space for as little as $14 per square foot every year.
If you’re looking for a home, you can find cheap residences in the downtown district. According to Redfin, the average price per square foot for a downtown Stockton home is $211. The median price of a home in February 2023 was $341,250, down by 23.3% since last year.
Brookside | Safe, Family-Friendly Stockton Neighborhood for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Population: 10,135
- Average rent: $1,806
- Median home price: $510,000
- Brookside crime: 68% lower than the Stockton average
The Brookside neighborhood gets its name from the Brookside Country Club, the leading country club in the Stockton area. The club features an 18-hole golf course with a putting green, chipping green, and driving range. You can also enjoy tennis and pickleball games, a resort-style pool, and meals at an on-site restaurant.
Besides the country club, you can enjoy several green spaces and access to the San Joaquin River. Nelson Park contains tennis courts, softball fields, and barbeque pits. You can find several homes for sale within two blocks of the park, making it a great place to live for someone who loves outdoor activities. Four and five-bedroom Brookside homes for sale covering more than 2,000 square feet are available for less than $700,000.
The neighborhood is home to several elementary schools, which help make Brookside one of the best places to live in Stockton CA for families. More than 80% of students at Don Riggio School identify as being in a racial minority group. All teachers at the school are certified, and more than 90% of them have at least three years of experience. Brookside is among the safe neighborhoods in Stockton CA, which makes it an even better community for kids.
Pacific | Best Neighborhood for Millennials and Students
- Population: 11,294
- Average rent: $1,313
- Median home price: $370,000
- Pacific crime: 42% higher than the Stockton average
The Pacific neighborhood gets its name from the University of the Pacific. US News and World Report ranks University of the Pacific in the top 100 best value schools and best colleges for veterans. The university offers nearly 100 majors, including unique multidisciplinary programs.
The university has more than 6,000 students, and many of them live on campus or in the neighborhood around it. The students help make Pacific one of the best neighborhoods in Stockton CA for people who need affordable housing. You can buy a three-bedroom condo with two bathrooms and more than 1,300 square feet of space for less than $250,000. If you want your own house, you can find two and three-bedroom Stockton homes for sale at around 1,000 square feet for roughly $300,000.
Pacific is just north of Downtown Stockton, so you still have access to the city’s best restaurants and attractions. Pacific is also quieter and less popular with tourists, making it a good alternative to the neighborhood. Pacific has green areas like Oak Park, which contains its own ice rink and outdoor swimming pool. Victory Park has play areas and ball fields, and the City of Stockton runs concerts and live events in it.
Spanos Park | Affluent Neighborhood With Luxurious and Diverse Single-Family Housing
- Population: 17,797
- Average rent: Spanos Park East $1,313; Spanos Park West $1,806
- Median home price: Spanos Park East $536,000; Spanos Park West $459,000
- Spanos Park crime: 86% lower than the Stockton average
Concerned about crime in Stockton? Spanos Park is known for being one of the safest neighborhoods in Stockton. The Reserve at Spanos Park is the lynchpin for the Spanos Park Stockton CA neighborhood. Reserve at Spanos Park has a secluded and rural aesthetic with huge fields, bushy trees, and quaint ponds. You can play golf on the 18-hole course, and the club offers classes and tournaments that anyone can take.
The West Side Freeway runs through the neighborhood, giving you access to Stockton and Sacramento. The freeway divides the neighborhood into two sections, Spanos Park West and Spanos Park East. You can find homes in both sections, so you have plenty of options for places to live. Modern three and four-bedroom homes with fully furnished kitchens are up for sale at $500,000.
Homes in Spanos Park East tend to be a little more affordable. However, properties in Spanos Park West tend to be larger and contain more features. Four and five-bedroom homes in the area cover at least 2,000 square feet of space. You can find properties with covered patios, linen cabinets, and en-suite bathrooms.
Park West Place is a shopping mall in Spanos Park West. It is home to several major brands, including Target, Kohl’s, and Walmart.
Seaport | Affordable Homes Conveniently Located Near Major Commercial Centers
- Population: 7,805
- Average rent: $1,539
- Median home price: $435,000
- Seaport crime: 47% higher than the Stockton average
The Port of Stockton is one of the biggest employers in the city, creating more than $1 billion worth of trade in 2019 alone. The Stockton port is a business partner with many major companies, including Lowe’s, Pacific Gas and Electric, and the City of Stockton. Living near the port can help you find jobs and deepen your business connections.
You can also purchase some of the most affordable real estate in the city. You can purchase one-bedroom mobile homes in the community for $40,000. Dozens of two-bedroom homes between 500 and 1,000 square feet are up for sale at less than $300,000. Several apartment buildings and rental properties are in the northern blocks of the neighborhood. For less than $1,600 a month, you can rent a one or two-bedroom unit. Many homes are within walking distance of Louis Park, a riverfront green space with sports fields and picnic shelters.
The Seaport Stockton CA neighborhood is near several major roads. Interstate 5 runs north to Sacramento and south toward Modesto, while Route 4 runs west to the San Francisco Bay Area and east to the state border. The neighborhood is also adjacent to Downtown Stockton. If you need to commute to work, Seaport may be your best place to live.
Valley Oak | Best Neighborhood for Young Children
- Population: 10,056
- Average rent: $2,042
- Median home price: $400,000
- Valley Oak crime: 33% lower than the Stockton average
Valley Oak contains the most K-12 schools in any Stockton neighborhood. The neighborhood contains six separate elementary schools, and there are five more within walking distance of the Valley Oak district in Stockton CA. Ansel Adams Elementary School is one of the most diverse elementary schools in the country, with 97.2% minority enrollment.
If you have older children, they can go to two different high schools in Valley Oak. Ronald E. Mcnair High School is the newest high school in the Lodi Unified School District. It is home to more than 20 athletics programs, including esports and cheer teams. Cesar Chavez High School is part of the Stockton Unified School District. 89% of students graduate on time, among the highest graduation rates of any public Stockton high school.
Valley Oak also contains several major stores. You can shop at a Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s, Costco, and Home Depot. Route 99 borders the neighborhood, providing access to Sacramento, Modesto, and Fresno CA.
Lincoln Village West | Quaint Neighborhood Near the Water
- Population: 8,053
- Average rent: $1,806
- Median home price: $384,950
- Lincoln Village West crime: 1% lower than the Stockton average
Lincoln Village West is in northwestern Stockton along the White Slough. The inlet provides beautiful waterfront views and a peaceful place for fishing and boating. The community is one of the most prosperous Stockton neighborhoods, which means housing prices are higher than in other places. However, you can find extremely comfortable homes and apartments to live in. Waterfront properties with five bedrooms are available for more than $1 million.
Lincoln Village West Apartments is one of the most prominent apartment complexes in Stockton California. The complex has studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments available for rent between $1,300 and $2,000. Amenities in your apartment include spacious closets and living areas, fully-equipped kitchens, and a private patio. Everyone in the community has access to a swimming pool and manicured grounds.
The main attraction in Lincoln Village West is the Village West Yacht Club. You can boat in the California Delta and attend special events to mingle with other Village West residents.
Stockton Neighborhood Map
You can find the best Stockton CA neighborhoods with this helpful map!
Good neighborhoods in Stockton CA have everything to offer. You can move to a neighborhood like Pacific with affordable homes and great access to amenities. If you have a family, you’ll love living in Spanos Park or Valley Oak.
But before you head out to your new Stockton home, you should hire great Stockton movers. Southbay Moving has more than 30 years of experience, and we can handle any type of relocation. Get a free quote at 831-786-5537.