Ridgecrest, CA (93555)—Tucked away in the Mojave Desert, this little-known town is where safety and affordability meets quality of life. Keep scrolling If you're looking for fast-paced nightlife, traffic jams, and overpriced studio apartments—Ridgecrest isn't for you. But if you’re after wide-open spaces, affordable rent, and an internet connection that actually works, you might have just found your next home.
Did we mention it offers work-life balance and access to great outdoors?
Who Is Ridgecrest For?
Let’s be real: Ridgecrest isn’t for everyone and you probably haven't heard of it. If you thrive in a 24/7, big-city environment, this isn’t your spot. But if you:
✅ Work remotely and want fast, reliable internet (yes, even in the desert)
✅ Want to escape the insane cost of living in L.A. or the Bay Area
✅ Prefer quiet, safe neighborhoods over honking cars and sirens at 2 AM
✅ Enjoy outdoor adventures (think hiking, off-roading, and some of the best stargazing in California) See outdoor adventures here
Then Ridgecrest is calling your name.
Affordability That Actually Makes Sense
Let’s talk numbers. The median home price in Ridgecrest? Around $260K in 2024. Try finding that in L.A., where you’ll pay double just for a shoebox apartment. Rent? $1,287/month in 2024 gets you an actual house—not just a shared bedroom with three strangers.
And if you’re running a business or working from home? Cheap office space is easy to find, and you won’t be battling for WiFi bandwidth with your 47th-floor neighbors.
Work From Home, But Better
One of Ridgecrest’s best-kept secrets? Good internet and infrastructure. Unlike many small towns where you’re lucky to get two bars of LTE, Ridgecrest has fiber-optic speeds that let you take Zoom calls without looking like a pixelated mess.
All utilities are also well established, and if you consider online shopping a utility, then 24hr to 48hr delivery is available.
It’s also the perfect spot for solopreneurs, digital nomads, or small business owners who want low overhead costs and big backyards instead of cubicles and traffic.
A Slower Pace, Without the Boredom
Sure, Ridgecrest isn’t a party capital. You won’t find massive nightclubs or Michelin-starred restaurants, but what you will find is:
👋🏼 A Strong Community: People in Ridgecrest are kind and support each other.
🛒 Local Businesses and Big Stores – like Home Depot, Walmart, and Marshall's amongst others. Chipotle fans also get their fill. For a list of stores, visit the business directory.
🏜️ Endless outdoor activities – Discover the Natural Splendors Surrounding Ridgecrest in this article.
🚗 Zero traffic stress – Your “commute” is measured in minutes, not hours
🎓 Good Education - Ridgecrest is all about great learning, from the Sierra Sands Unified School District schools to Cerro Coso Community College. Did we mention it has multiple Montessori schools? Learn more about Schools & Daycares in this article.
💪 Surprisingly good gyms – from guided group classes to free weights, Ridgecrest has it all. For more info, visit "Where To Sweat in Ridgecrest"
👮🏻 Safety - and that's priceless. Ridgecrest is a safe, family-friendly city with a well-established and responsive police department.
You're probably wondering: what's there to do for fun in this town? We gotchu! check out the City Calendar page, Visit our Leisure section or the Night Out page.
Last but not least, we leave you with another fun fact: If you're a movie buff, Ridgecrest is an unsung hero of one of your favorite films. From Star Trek V, Planet of the Apes, Top Gun Maverick, Speed, Captain Marvel, Jurassic Park, Spartacus, to Lady Gaga's Stupid Love and Rihanna's Sledgehammer, Ridgecrest had a role in filing these Hollywood Blockbusters. Read Article.
The Verdict: Should You Move to Ridgecrest?
If you need big-city energy, round-the-clock entertainment, and overpriced lattes, Ridgecrest probably isn’t your vibe. But if you want affordable living, a great work-from-home setup, and easy access to nature, all while enjoying a work-life balance, then this place is a hidden gem.
The secret is out—Ridgecrest is one of the best affordable places to live in California. The question is, will you make the move?
