A Guide To Fresno's Neighborhoods

As the largest city in the Central Valley, Fresno boasts prosperous agriculture, an affordable cost of living, and ever-growing business opportunities. Sounds pretty attractive for an expensive state, right? But if you’re planning to move here, you’ll find a million more reasons to fall head over heels—you come for all the fun things to do and end up staying for the friendly community. 

And if that’s not enough, Fresno is only a driving distance away from California’s coolest natural attractions; Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park—does anyone want to go camping? To make it an even more attractive place, this Central Valley destination is one of California’s top inexpensive college towns. Adjusting to life in the slow lane is pretty easy, and if you’re ready for a change, these neighborhoods in Fresno are the ones to keep a close eye on. 

1. Tower District

Median home price: $292,500

The Tower District is Fresno’s leading nightlife destination—it’s a wonderful place to live, work, and have fun. Walking down the streets of this neighborhood, you’ll hear jazz music playing at the local venues and people laughing the night away at the comedy clubs. An eclectic mix of restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and vintage record stores line the streets, giving Fresno’s Tower District in Fresno a nostalgic yet contemporary vibe. If you plan on living where life happens, this should be your Fresno neighborhood of choice.

2. Woodward Park

Median home price: $456,610

Fresno’s Woodward Park is usually the first choice for young professionals and families alike. Highly-rated public schools, fantastic restaurants, and quaint shops make it one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the area. Woodward Park gives a sense of ease and security to its residents—it’s the safest neighborhood in all of Fresno. Residents go to the namesake park, which boasts 300 acres of green space along with five miles of trails, a Japanese Garden, three playgrounds, and even a dog park. In short, you’ll manage to rest easy and stay active at the same time in this neighborhood.

3. Fig Garden

Median home price: $327,460

Fig Garden is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Fresno for good reason. Named after the fruit trees that are abundant in the area, the neighborhood is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Fig trees here are tall enough to provide shade from the sun; you’ll find many people going on morning jogs and bike rides here. Plenty of local events take place here, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other—no wonder Fig Garden is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Fresno. 

4. Downtown Fresno

Median home price: $199,900

Downtown Fresno is a vibrant area with a lively entertainment district, meaning most young adults reside here. Home to the best restaurants, shops, and exciting events, the downtown district bustles with energy at all hours of the day. Here, you’ll find the best art museums such as rte Americas, Meux Home Museum, and Warnors Center for the Performing Arts. This Fresno neighborhood’s residents prefer walking to work instead of driving, making the roads pretty quiet. 

5. Roosevelt 

Median home price: $295,000

The suburban neighborhood of Roosevelt is where families with kids settle down. This area boasts a number of highly ranked schools, several parks for outdoor recreation, and very low crime rates, making it ideal for families. You’ll also find that this Fresno neighborhood has active community members, where residents gather to play baseball and football. Want to coach the next soccer team at your kid’s school? Residing in Roosevelt is a great start. 

6. Hoover

Median home price: $318,870

Hoover features a nice mix of residential communities, modern conveniences, and entertainment—residents enjoy the benefits of big city life while being away from the hustle and bustle. This Fresno neighborhood has walkable streets, making it a safer and quieter area. As for education, Hoover is home to California State University Fresno; naturally, there’s a large population of students here. To keep it simple, everything in this charming neighborhood screams family-friendly, so make sure you make the move ASAP before housing prices increase. 

7. McLane

Median home price: $289,300

McLane is a popular option for those who want to be close to the downtown district but not live there. As one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, the east-central area boasts a fantastic school system, which is why you’ll mostly find families and students living here. McLane is home to many industries, jobs, and residential communities, where employment opportunities are plentiful. But what makes us most drawn to this neighborhood is the fact that one of Central Valley’s most family-friendly attractions is found here—the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. With a reasonable real estate market and fair housing prices, choosing McLane to be your home just might be the best decision you make.  

8. Fresno High Roeding

Median home price: $270,000

Situated northwest of the downtown district, Fresno High Roeding is lined with boutiques and eateries, inviting residents of all ages to enjoy the amenities. The dog-friendly Fresno neighborhood is a walkable area that’s well-maintained, where you’ll most likely run into everyone you know. And if you’re the kind of person who prefers to drive, finding parking spots won’t be a problem either. But the most appealing aspect of this place is that the median home price is lower than the city’s average. 

9. Lowell

Median home price: $385,560

Fresno’s Lowell neighborhood is one of the city’s most beautiful and history-rich areas—the Victorian houses lining its streets are a testament to that. The neighborhood’s boundaries form a triangle: Freeway 180 on the north, Divisadero on the south, and Blackstone on the east. Lowell is currently one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Fresno. With a strong sense of community and high-quality schools, the neighborhood invites all families to reside here, and it's time you join as well.

Thinking of moving to Fresno? Which of the following neighborhoods appeal to you most? Let us know in the comments below.