Things You Should Know Before Moving to Visalia, CA - Movers.com
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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Visalia, CA

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Nestled in the San Joaquin Valley of California, Visalia has breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada foothills and a vibrant agriculture industry - making the city perfect for those who enjoy nature and the great outdoors. From the Sequoia National Park to the Visalia Fox Theatre, this California city is alive and exciting for both newcomers and lifetime residents.

Whether you're in the process of planning a move to Visalia, or just browsing for more information about the city, Movers.com is here to help. Take a look at the following guide for information prior to moving to the city, and get started with your move by getting a free quote on reputable moving services in your area.

Visalia Climate

If you're looking for rain, you won't find much of it here in Visalia, as it averages only 26 days of precipitation each year. The climate has mixed characteristics, being that of a semi-arid climate and a Mediterranean climate, with just enough rain to keep it out of the desert climate category.

Summer months are long, generally between April and October with highs averaging between 75 and 95 degrees, and occasional lows of approximately 50 to 65 degrees. Keep in mind that in the hottest months (June, July and August), temperatures are known to hit 100 degrees and higher.

Winter is typically from November to March. High temperatures during this season average between 55 and 65 degrees, with some low temperatures ranging from 35 to 45 degrees.

Visalia Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods and communities in Visalia are broken up between smaller sections of the city: Downtown Visalia, North Visalia, Eastside, Southwest Visalia, Industrial Area, Mooney and Westside.

Downtown Visalia is the central business district of the city, but is home to two locations on the National Register of Historic Places and many public parks, plazas and gardens like Garden Plaza and Mill Creek Linear Park. The area consists of mostly medium-rise buildings, intermingled with public art and various shopping and dining opportunities. The mural trail in the downtown area is comprised of nearly 100 murals on the sides of buildings known as the ‘concrete canvas.'

For a more suburban lifestyle, especially if you are relocating with a young family, you can take a look at neighborhoods in Mooney like Beverly Glen, which houses Redwood High School. It also has Mooney's Grove Park and two local shopping malls. There are many other neighborhoods all over the city that have a similar suburban feel and moderately priced homes that are good for raising a family on a tighter budget than other areas of California.

Registering Your Car

In order to avoid any penalties after you've moved to Visalia, you must register your vehicle within 20 days or entry or residency, according to the state of California's DMV website. You will need an application for Title or Registration signed by the owner as they appear on the out of state title, the last issued out of state title, smog and weight certification (if applicable), any fees or taxes, and the vehicle must be inspected by the DMV.

Upon moving to California, you have 10 days to acquire a California driver's license. You will need to complete application form DL 44, give a thumbprint, have your picture taken, and provide your full name and social security number. You must also pay the application fee, pass a vision exam and pass a traffic laws and signs test.

Visalia Schools

Visalia United School District provides public education for the entire city, in addition to some communities near Visalia. The district has a student body of over 30,000 students with over two dozen elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools and numerous alternative learning programs and charter schools.

Visalia also offers a few options for higher education, with both public and private universities. Chapman University, Fresno Pacific University and Brandman University are all public institutions with branch campuses in Visalia. For private college, the city is home to San Joaquin Valley College and the Milan Institute, as well as some beauty and cosmetology schools.

Visalia Employment

The city's economy relies heavily on agriculture, namely such items like grapes, olives, cotton and citrus. The city also thrives on livestock and manufacturing - specifically lighting and commercial distribution. As of March 2013, the unemployment rate in the city was at approximately 9.8 percent, higher than the national average but steadily dropping from over 10 percent in previous months. The average salary in the area is approximately $55,000 annually.

Some of the area's top employers are: Tulare County, Kaweah Delta Medical Center, College of the Sequoias, Jostens and the City of Visalia.

 

Living Costs in the City

In comparison with other metropolitan cities in California, Visalia, though higher than the national average, is a more modestly priced city. The overall cost of living is approximately 6 percent higher than the national average, and single-family homes average around $170,000, with higher prices peaking around $400,000. One-bedroom apartments generally cost approximately $800 per month depending on the size and location, while three-bedroom units are closer to $1,300 per month.

Gas prices are approximately 10 to 20 cents cheaper in Visalia than in other cities in California, and the city's sales tax is 8.25 percent.

Visalia Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies can get you ready for your move to Visalia, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Visalia Transportation

In keeping with an effort to lower the pollution and smog in the area, Visalia Transit offers environmentally friendly public transportation throughout the communities in the city. In addition to regularly scheduled convenient transportation, Visalia Transit also provides Dial-A-Ride para-transit service within city limits. This service is curb-to-curb and based on a shared-ride demand. The Tulare County Area Transit provides transportation between Visalia and smaller neighborhoods throughout the city Monday through Saturday.

There's also the Sequoia Shuttle that offers affordable transportation to the Sequoia National Park.

If you'll be relocating with your personal vehicle, the major roads and highways to use are: California State Road 99 (from Bakersfield to Fresno), SR 198, SR 63 and SR 216.

Culture & Contemporary Life

When moving to Visalia, you'll encounter a blend of quaint suburban communities surrounded by more commercial areas bursting with things to see and do. Downtown offers a vast amount of dining experiences that bring the city's agriculture to life with "farm to fork" cuisine. USA Today even ranked the city as one of America's Best Small Towns for Food in 2010. Here, you can experience American bistro, to Mexican and Asian cuisine, to small cafes and delis.

When it comes to outdoor activity, the sky is the limit with consistent sunny weather and a foothill landscape. Visit Mist Falls to see one of Kings Canyon National Park's largest waterfalls, or hike a trail in the Sequoia National Forest. In the same day, you can visit the Chinese Cultural Center or purchase fresh vegetables and gourmet cheese at the city's Farmers Market after experiencing the Taste the Arts Festival in the fall.

Visalia Relocation Tips

  • Due to the city's efforts to clean up smog in the air from vehicle exhaust, your best option is to have a low emissions vehicle for your daily commute. Smog levels can be high in this area, especially during summer, as the city only averages 10-inches of rain per year.

     

  • The area is prone to occasional flood and aftershocks, being so close to the Pacific Ring of Fire (located at the basin of the Pacific Ocean). Be sure to discuss appropriate insurance options with your insurance agency.

     

  • There are strict ordinances in the city for pruning and removing of Valley Oak trees as part of a preservation and protection initiative. Make sure you look into these ordinances before having any landscaping done on your new property.

Jenna Farmer  Posted by Jenna Farmer on May 30, 2013

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