Stockton a good place to live as a climber?

So thinking about a move to Northern California. I can work from home so anywhere is good.

Looked at the map and it looks like Stockton, Modesto are a good compromise between the Bay Area and living even closer to the Sierras - you get large city amenities and 2 hours closer to Yosemite and Western Sierras than in the Bay Area, plus way cheaper cost of living.

I don't care for fancy restaurants or bars, so living in an expensive area isn't going to buy me anything. I do want to meet other people, climbers or not, and make friends, so living like a hermit who works from home and not be around people is going to be bad. Going out occasionally in the Bay Area also seems like an option - only 2 hours away for most places if we want the big city experience, plus the wine country isn't THAT FAR, right?

It looks like it is only 1 hour from Jailhouse Rocks, and 2 hours from Yosemite. Are there closer crags near by?

Anyone with experience can chime in?

Admittedly, I've haven't spent much time in Stockton, but it seems like it might be an ok place to live as a climber, but that's about it. It is one of those cities that I drive through pretty often, but never stop. Every night on the news, when there is a crime report...odds are it is from Stockton.

Sacramento is closer to Tahoe and Hwy 50 climbing and less than an hour father from Yosemite. I don't know much about Modesto.

Cities by population and crime ratesEdit
Cities by population and crime rates
City Population[11] Violent crimes[11] Violent crime rate
per 1,000 persons Property crimes[11] Property crime rate
per 1,000 persons
Escalon 7,314 24 3.28 227 31.04
Lodi 63,718 280 4.39 2,599 40.79
Manteca 68,887 265 3.85 2,681 38.92
Ripon 14,662 6 0.41 297 20.26
Stockton 299,105 4,630 15.48 15,258 51.01
Tracy 85,047 145 1.70 2,158 25.37

Stockton is pretty much a shit hole. I thank my lucky stars I don't live anywhere South of Redding, every time I drive through the central valley on my way to Yosemite.

Okay, that nixes that idea.

If you can work from home why not just live in the mountains?

So...
The Central Valley is just as it sounds. Central
There isn't much there, but it only takes about 2 hours to get most places. I am in Modesto now. AKA Meth-Death-Sto. 2-3 hours to Tahoe, Sonora Pass, Yosemite, Sequoia, Shuttey Ridge, Pinnacles.....
Hyw 49 gets you up out of the smog a little more and still have easy access to most places.
I second what jpotz said about stockton

gription wrote:If you can work from home why not just live in the mountains?

My SO would have trouble finding a job.

Old Sag wrote: My SO would have trouble finding a job.

This is why I live on the east side. Plenty of jobs in my field and it's close to the mountains.

gription wrote: This is why I live on the east side. Plenty of jobs in my field and it's close to the mountains.

Where on the Eastside?

Personally for me I think I want to have more non-climbing options where I live and Bishop and Lone Pine are too far on the other side of the scale for me.

gription wrote: This is why I live on the east side. Plenty of jobs in my field and it's close to the mountains.

And what field of work is this that offers plentiful jobs on the east side? I'm interested...

JCM wrote: And what field of work is this that offers plentiful jobs on the east side? I'm interested...

PM sent

i mean, it's no stockton.....but tahoe isn't too bad. and jobs are easy to find. worst case scenario, you commute to carson or reno

Or just consider Reno. I don't personally know much about it, but I have a couple of climber friends that really like living there.

csproul wrote:Or just consider Reno. I don't personally know much about it, but I have a couple of climber friends that really like living there.

+1

Reno has a lot going for it if you are outdoor recreation oriented but need a modest cost of living.

what kind of job is the s.o. in the market for?

Sacramento area. Relatively cheap city life, 1-2 hours from Tahoe climbs, Auburn Cliffs (sport crag), 3 hours from Yosemite, 5 hours from Bishop, and a gym for rainy days.

I used to live in Discovery Bay which is 18 miles west of Stockton, but not Stockton and I know the area very well.

I have also lived in Sacramento and the bay area. If you want to live somewhere close to climbing and the bay, go for sacramento. There are plenty of jobs, the night life is fun and Tahoe is close.

Plus, Sacramento has a great climbing gym for those weeknight benders.

Neil Roessler wrote:I used to live in Discovery Bay which is 18 miles west of Stockton, but not Stockton and I know the area very well. I have also lived in Sacramento and the bay area. If you want to live somewhere close to climbing and the bay, go for sacramento. There are plenty of jobs, the night life is fun and Tahoe is close. Plus, Sacramento has a great climbing gym for those weeknight benders.

cachu wrote:Sacramento area. Relatively cheap city life, 1-2 hours from Tahoe climbs, Auburn Cliffs (sport crag), 3 hours from Yosemite, 5 hours from Bishop, and a gym for rainy days.

+1 for Sacramento area.

John Greer Jr. wrote:So... The Central Valley is just as it sounds. Central There isn't much there, but it only takes about 2 hours to get most places. I am in Modesto now.

Pretty much this. I grew up in Modesto (near Stockton), currently live in SF, and am getting crushed by that weekend warrior commute. I think it really depends how much you see Stockton as somewhere to bivy vs. somewhere to live.

There are central valley locations that are tolerable, but Stockton is a shithole. No effin way would I voluntarily choose to live there.

Will S wrote:There are central valley locations that are tolerable, but Stockton is a shithole. No effin way would I voluntarily choose to live there.

I had to drop someone off in Stockton and it was the first time I was there. It was in a new development area. It didn't seem any more exciting or any less exciting than your typical suburban sprawl, so my first impression was a good one.

How close is Sac from Jailhouse Rock?