Southern California has the winning combo of superior schools, diversity, and safe neighborhoods for young families. The site creditdonkey.com evaluated the best cities to raise a family in Southern California and ranked South Pasadena third in the survey.
For their ratings, they included cities with a population of 25,000 or more and looked at these five factors:
- Education
- Commute Time
- Household Type
- Residency
- Housing Costs
Here is their finding for the 10 best cities to raise a family in Southern California:
10. Santee 
- High School Graduate or Higher: 90.6%
- Commute Time: 23.9 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 35.6%
- Residing in Same Home: 87.8%
- Income Spent on Housing: 27.4%
Finding a quiet country setting in the midst of Southern California’s hustle and bustle may seem impossible but Santee manages to pull it off. Just over 55,000 people live in this still growing city located less than 20 miles from San Diego. With plenty of green spaces, it’s perfect for getting back to nature. If you’re concerned about education, Santee’s School District comes highly rated, earning local, station and national recognition for academic achievement.
9. Walnut
- High School Graduate or Higher: 92.4%
- Commute Time: 35.4 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 39.8%
- Residing in Same Home: 92.7%
- Income Spent on Housing: 26.2%
Peace and quiet are among the top reasons why families choose to move to Walnut, and this charming little community offers a healthy portion of both. Nearly 40% of Walnut’s family households include children and almost 93% of residents have been in the same home for at least a year, which is a sign of how stable the area is. The city’s proximity to Los Angeles means home prices are on the higher end of the scale, but it’s offset by the fact that residents earn a median income of over $102,000.
8. Cypress
- High School Graduate or Higher: 91.9%
- Commute Time: 28.5 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 35.4%
- Residing in Same Home: 89.4%
- Income Spent on Housing: 25.6%
Over the years, Cypress has had many names, including Waterville and Dairy City, but today it’s best known as a safe and welcoming environment for families. Nearly 50,000 people live here and the wealth of job opportunities continues to attract new residents. The average commute takes less than 30 minutes, although if you work in L.A. you’ll need to give yourself more time. Residents spend a quarter of their pay on housing and even though the market’s heating up, there are still deals to be found.
7. Rancho Palos Verdes
- High School Graduate or Higher: 98.1%
- Commute Time: 31.8 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 32.7%
- Residing in Same Home: 90%
- Income Spent on Housing: 24.5%
Rancho Palos Verdes is the perfect spot for people who crave beachfront access and stunning views. This well-heeled community is home to more than 42,000 residents who come to enjoy the cool coastal breezes and soak up the Southern California sun. The local neighborhoods are extremely safe and feature gorgeous homes, many of which are valued at more than $1 million. Top-rated golf courses and the Terranea Resort bring in a lot of tourist traffic but it doesn’t detract from the city’s serene beauty.
6. Rancho Santa Margarita
- High School Graduate or Higher: 95.1%
- Commute Time: 28.2 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 44.4%
- Residing in Same Home: 88.3%
- Income Spent on Housing: 28.3%
Rancho Santa Margarita sits nearly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, close to Mission Viejo. There are almost 50,000 people who call the city home, including an overwhelming number of families with children. The city is primarily composed of planned residential neighborhoods, although there are plenty of places to work, shop and dine. Compared to some of our other cities, the amount you’ll pay for housing is higher but you’ll also earn more, since the median income exceeds $102,000.
5. Moorpark
- High School Graduate or Higher: 88.9%
- Commute Time: 26.8 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 41.6%
- Residing in Same Home: 90.6%
- Income Spent on Housing: 27.1%
If safety is at the top of your list when choosing a new city, Moorpark is just what you’re looking for. The city, which has the lowest overall crime rate in Ventura County, also ranks well nationally compared to similarly sized areas. The schools here get an A+ for academics, and they offer extracurricular activities to fit just about every interest. There are a myriad of family-centric events held throughout the year, including the Country Days and the Apricot Festival. You’re also close to the Happy Camp Canyon Park, which is ideal for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
4. Lake Forest
- High School Graduate or Higher: 92.6%
- Commute Time: 25.7 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 36.8%
- Residing in Same Home: 89.1%
- Income Spent on Housing: 26.6%
Lake Forest is just down the road from Rancho Santa Margarita, but it scored a higher spot in our rankings based on the average commute and housing costs. The local housing market features an eclectic mix of upscale homes, sprawling ranches and luxury apartments, so you’re sure to find something that fits your budget. If you’re looking to have some weekend fun with the kids, the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and Limestone Canyon Regional Parks are both close by.
3. South Pasadena
- High School Graduate or Higher: 96.9%
- Commute Time: 27.9 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 34.7%
- Residing in Same Home: 86.4%
- Income Spent on Housing: 22%
Once part of the much larger metropolitan area of Pasadena, South Pasadena is a modern city with a small town attitude. Although it’s less than 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, it truly is a world apart when it comes to safety, education and the general atmosphere. South Pasadena’s fashionable neighborhoods are popular among the A-list crowd, but families won’t have any trouble finding an affordable place to settle down.
2. Manhattan Beach
- High School Graduate or Higher: 98.1%
- Commute Time: 27.5 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 31.7%
- Residing in Same Home: 88.6%
- Income Spent on Housing: 23.2%
Manhattan Beach is number two on our list and the most affluent city in our study overall. Residents are very well educated, earning a median income of nearly $135,000, and home prices are among the highest in the region. The Manhattan Beach Unified School District ranks third overall in the state and there are several private and public schools serving the community. The average commute is pretty decent, and you’re not far from Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Malibu.
1. Poway
- High School Graduate or Higher: 93.7%
- Commute Time: 23.9 minutes
- Households With Children Under 18: 38.4%
- Residing in Same Home: 87.9%
- Income Spent on Housing: 26.3%
While many of the cities on our list are located around the Los Angeles area, you have to head back towards San Diego to find our number one pick. Poway is just a little further north of Santee and its central location makes it convenient for exploring the beaches along the cost or hiking the trails of the Cleveland National Forest. You won’t have to worry about making a slow crawl through traffic on the drive to work and while homes are more expensive, living here won’t put you in the poorhouse.
You can view the full study here.
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