When looking for a good place to raise their children, parents often explore a city's statistics in regards to crime, housing and education, particularly district-wide test scores. Parents also consider such factors as the number of parks in the area and the type of emphasis a city places on the arts. Thankfully the state of California offers its fair share of cities that fit these high standards.
Situated about 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Arcadia boasts a population of more than 55,000 residents. In 2009, Business Week named Arcadia the best city in California to raise children. The city's violent crime rate ranks lower than the state average. In terms of education, Arcadia's schools generally test higher than the state average. The city also plays host to the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 127 acres of pristine land filled with gardens and wandering peacocks.
Residing just 17 miles north of San Jose, Fremont was named the 5th best city in the country in which to raise kids by Children's Health Magazine. The city features about 201,000 residents, with a median family income of about $108,000 per year. Students in Fremont tested 43 percent higher than the state average in reading and 28 percent higher in math. The area also features 31 colleges, universities and professional schools. In terms of weather, 72 percent of the days offer a good Air Quality Index rating.
In 2008, Best Life Magazine named Santa Rosa the 10th best city in the nation to raise children. The school districts in the region promote parental involvement while most of the schools offer computer libraries, dual literacy programs and special curriculum for gifted students. The Santa Rosa community encourages the exhibition of art through a variety of city funded and coordinated programs. The city also boasts more than 60 parks, including a trail that connects a city, county and state park.
