Modesto California, a Nice Place to Live

by

Howard Giske-6947

Modesto, California is a medium sized city of about 200,000 people. It is located in California’s Central Valley, not far from the capital, Sacramento. Modesto has its own airport where one can get flights to other major California cities and to Las Vegas, Nevada. Modesto homes are known to be fairly reasonably priced relative to the surrounding area, and the crime rate is reasonably low. It is served by a fairly developed rail infrastructure to neighboring cities that has made Modesto real estate quite attractive to people moving into the area. For example, there is frequent train service to the state capital, Sacramento, which is some 60 miles away. The city is only slightly above sea level and enjoys hot summers and mild winters, while rainfall is fairly light at 12 inches average per year.

Attractions of the town of Modesto include its Centre Plaza, where there is a large Convention center, with a 16,000 square feet hall. Historical sites include the McHenry Mansion and Museum, located downtown, a remodeled Victorian mansion, with free tours. The McHenry Museum is an especially interesting place to sample life in California over hundred years ago. It contains a period dentist’s office, and a blacksmith’s shop, including wood and square nails from a century old house. The McHenry Mansion was built by Robert McHenry, a prominent local rancher and banker in 1883. The mansion is decorated with period antiques and is also the site of many wedding and other receptions. Down the street is the Museum of Art and History, which has exhibits relating to the pioneering and settling of Modesto and of surrounding Stanislaus County. At 9th and I street is the Modesto arch, which has the city motto, Modesto- Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health. This orange arch is one of the last of its kind still standing. The largest mall in the area is the Vintage Faire Mall, off Hwy 99, and includes Macys and Sears stores. Modesto also has its own minor league baseball team, the Modesto Nuts of the High-A California League, who play their home games at John Thurman Field. Modesto is on the Amtrak corridor, with many trains going through it, including to Oakland, Bakersfield and Sacramento. The area is known for various forms of political activism such as for immigrant rights and environmentalist causes. Modesto is located between the California Coast and the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and is also between San Francisco and Sacramento, being about in the middle of California. Modesto is the largest city in Stanislaus County, which is a top California agricultural area, including the E & J Gallo Winery, the largest winery in the world. There are other food processing industries in the Modesto area, including a Hershey’s Chocolate Plant. Gallo Arts Center has several theatres and art paintings, and puts on plays from California State University of Stanislaus and Modesto Jr. College. The State Theatre is one of the historic sites left in downtown Modesto. Its renovation is now complete. Modesto Junior College (MJC) established in 1921 is the first community college in California and has two campuses, the East campus, and West campus.

Howard Giske writes about nationwide real estate. We have more information about

about Modesto homes

at www.modestohomesguide.com

Article Source:

Modesto California, a Nice Place to Live