The Best Neighborhoods In Visalia For Families In 2025
If you’re thinking about relocating your family to the heart of California’s central valley, you’re not alone. Unlike many Golden State neighborhoods struggling to retain their population, the Visalia area stands out for its steady growth, vibrant communities, and easy access to outdoor activities.
So, whether you’re an East-Coaster moving long-distance for the California Dream, or moving locally from South Visalia to Northwest Visalia—it’s vital to know which communities match your family’s needs and goals. In this blog, we’ll cover the best neighborhoods surrounding Visalia, CA, so families moving in can enjoy downtown, outstanding private and community colleges, and all the national and local parks nearby.
So, whether you’re an East-Coaster moving long-distance for the California Dream, or moving locally from South Visalia to Northwest Visalia—it’s vital to know which communities match your family’s needs and goals. In this blog, we’ll cover the best neighborhoods surrounding Visalia, CA, so families moving in can enjoy downtown, outstanding private and community colleges, and all the national and local parks nearby.
What Makes Visalia, CA, An Ideal Location For Families?
Whether you’re searching for safe streets, outdoor recreation, or tasty local farmer’s markets, the Visalia area is undoubtedly a good place to raise a family. It’s known as the gateway to both the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks—highlighting access to the Sierra Nevada Mountains for family camping, skiing, boating, and more.
With a population of over 146,000, Visalia is also the fifth-largest city in the San Joaquin Valley. So, more than just an outdoor family playground, you can enjoy steady job growth and abundant shopping. In fact, Visalia was named as one of America’s top 9 sites for Business Prosperity in 2020. Some of the most common employment sectors include agriculture, manufacturing and food processing, healthcare, and retail and distribution.
Excited to get moving? Here are some of the best neighborhoods in and around the city based on safety, amenities, educational access, and more:
1. Oak Grove
With the second-best elementary school in Tulare County and other high-rated schools, Oak Grove is one of the best Visalia neighborhoods for young families looking to settle down. Clean, tree-lined streets compliment the modern homes and gated communities, allowing city dwellers to enjoy the safe, insular feeling of the suburbs while still having easy access to parks, schools, and other amenities. For example, the local Soroptimist Park has several installations built specifically for kids and families.
While Oak Grove offers stunning scenery and activities for young children, adults will also benefit from local grocery and hardware stores being less than a 10-min drive away. Overall, this northwestern neighborhood is highly sought after, with homes starting at around $412,000.
2. Rector
This southeastern suburb lies between Visalia and the smaller town of Farmersville, giving it a convenient location for families that want a short commute into the city, without living directly within city limits. The median home price is $408,500 and the average rent is $2,000, making it slightly more affordable than some of Visalia’s more urban neighborhoods. Despite this, homes are incredibly modern, with 73% having been built after the year 2000.
Parents who choose to move here also don’t have to worry about their children getting a quality education. All the nearby schools within the Visalia unified school district rank among the top 10 in the area, with Redwood High School listed as the third-best in the county.
3. Green Acres
With low crime rates and some of the best access to recreational facilities, including the well-rated Visalia Country Club, Green Acres is one of the best relocation options. While the strong sense of community here comes with a slightly higher price tag—$477,000 on average for a single-family home—there are more affordable options for renters. Many apartments and high rises are less than $2,000 a month. Plus, the vacancy rate is over 8%, making it easier to find a place to live when compared to other neighborhoods.
Green Acres is also close to top-notch schools like Linwood Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Redwood High. That means children will have access to a high-quality education, while adult residents get to enjoy close proximity to downtown, the Visalia farmer’s market, and other amenities.
4. Beverly Glen
Just southwest of Green Acres, Beverly Glen is well-known for its beautiful foliage and ample outdoor activities. From the Sky Zone Trampoline Park to the Visalia Adventure Park, there are plenty of fun and exciting events for kids to engage in. This suburban city outskirt also offers several high-quality elementary schools, adding to the family-oriented atmosphere.
Additionally, the nearby hospital and shopping outlets also make day-to-day life easy for adults. Just keep in mind that the median home value here is typically over $500,000, making it more pricey than some other Visalia neighborhoods. However, if you can afford the cost, the amenities are well worth it.
5. Mooney Grove Park
Looking to get outside the city without adding too much time to your commute? The Mooney Grove Park area is as peaceful as it is central, being a five-minute, straight shot drive to the Visalia Mall. The Mooney Grove Park itself offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities, providing hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and the Tulare County Museum. Kids can spend hours playing in a massive park that’s only minutes from their home.
Plus, with a median home value of just under $400,000, this area is one of the most affordable for families looking to move into single-family homes. Just remember to beat the traffic when you leave for work!
6. The Lakes
If money isn’t an issue for your family, The Lakes is one of the most prestigious gated communities on the local map. For a median home price of just over $565,000, residents have access to private lakes, stunning landscaping, and a safe, peaceful place to raise a family. You’ll also be close to schools that are all ranked among the top 10 in the county.
As for amenities, there are several cafés and a grocery store right across the street, making it easy to find what you need immediately outside The Lakes community.
7. Redbanks
While Redbanks is the furthest drive from downtown Visalia—just under 20 minutes—it’s also the closest to the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains and a short driving distance from the quaint town of Woodlake. The median home price here is just over $400,000, while the average rent is surprisingly affordable ($1,460). Homes also tend to be more historic—built between 1940 and 2000.
Redbanks has a large Spanish-speaking population, making it the ideal neighborhood for families who speak Spanish as a first language. Your children will get to enjoy charming fields of cotton, citrus, grapes, olives, and more, while also attending high-quality schools like Ivanhoe Elementary School, Valley Oak Middle School, and Golden West High.
Pack N Move Helps You Move To Your Favorite Visalia Neighborhood
If you’re exploring houses or apartments in the Visalia area, Pack N Move is your trusted local expert. Our hassle-free, full-service moves provide everything your family needs with no hidden fees or charges. Plus, we work through all the typical stressors and tasks, handling sudden or urgent challenges with 20+ years of experience.
We’re committed to making sure your deliveries are on time, every time—whether you’re moving across the street or cross-country. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll provide a free quote or estimate. We’ll reach out to you as quickly as we can to help you begin planning your family’s move.