Although Orange Cove boasts hundreds of acres of orange groves and other citrus fruits, the small city was actually named around 1914, long before the area was used for orange growing on a large scale; proof that fate really does exist.
Though it's definitely a small city when it comes to area in square miles, the large population in Orange Cove has led to numerous attempts to model the city after larger areas. This is why the small community had its own police department until 1992, when budget shortfalls led to the city having to contract the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. In a move that shows the community's upward mobility, however, the Orange Cove Police Department reopened in 2009. Hurry and get your spot in town before everyone else catches on.
Moving to Orange Cove
Just imagine being able to tell people that you live near the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. How cool is that? Well, if you find an apt for rent in Orange Cove, that's exactly what you'll be able to do. The small city is located extremely close to the San Joaquin Valley and Reedley, and with a crime rate on par with the average in California, you know you'll be just as safe as the average Californian. And come on, isn't that all we really want in life? Before you get too exuberant, though, you need to make sure that you're actually prepared to make the move here.
When to Start Looking
There are more than enough places to go around in the Orange Cove area, from apartment complexes to large home rentals. You should keep in mind, though, that the really nice places are going to be in high demand. Over half of all residents in Orange Cove are renters, and this equates to available apartments in the best areas getting snatched up quickly. With that in mind, start looking for a place two months in advance. No, you don't have to jump on the first one you see, but with a little research, at least you'll be able to pick out an area that best suits you. Think people!
When to Make the Move
This depends on whether or not you're Pyro from "X-Men" or The Human Torch from "Fantastic 4." What we're trying to get at here, is that it gets hot. Really hot. Like crack an egg on the sidewalk and it will cook hot. Okay, we don't know if that's possible, but it's actually hit 115 degrees in Orange Cove before. The average high temperatures between June and September are always above 90, and in July and August, these temperatures are right at 100 degrees. Add this to the fact that nearly no rain falls during this time, and by now you should now understand the Pyro and Human Torch references. Unless you don't like comic books.
What to Bring Along
Even though there are numerous rentals to go around in Orange Cove, it doesn't mean that you can come ill prepared and expect to snag a great place. Whether you're looking at a studio apartment for rent or a larger residence, you'll be doing yourself a favor by showing up with a completed rental application and proof of income. You can increase your chances even more by having glowing references from former landlords with you as well. Heck, if you really want to snag the apartment of a lifetime, bring along a background check. Landlords will surely appreciate knowing that you're going to help get the crime rate in the city below California's average.
Orange Cove Neighborhoods
Orange Cove is a lovely place to live, and when you look at all the homes and apartments you have to choose from, you'll realize that you'll enjoy living here. There aren't many areas in the city since Orange Cove's area is less than two square miles, but even with minimal areas, you still might have difficulty picking out the best place to stay.
Sheridan Park: This area is adjacent to, you guessed it, Sheridan Park. You'll have a variety of choices when it comes to house rentals, be located near Conner Elementary School, and be adjacent to a huge beautiful orange grove. Don't think about sneaking over there and taking any, though; we're not sure what the punishment is for that, but is it really worth a 50 cent orange?
Northwest Orange Cove: This area lays claim to the United Health Centers, and is only footsteps away from the Orange Cove Police Department. That's right: if you love vehicles with bright flashing lights, this is the place for you. Also, transit isn't difficult since the bus line runs right along Park Boulevard.
Southwest Orange Cove: This is one of the more heavily populated areas in Orange Cove. With numerous people living in complexes like Orchard Village Apartments and beautiful homes that are built close together, you could get a real sense of community here. Or you could get annoyed with your neighbor. It's 50/50 really.
JO Eaton Memorial Park: The southeastern area of Orange Cove, which starts at JO Eaton Memorial Park, has many older homes and apartment complexes. Of course, if you go to the eastern-most point of this area, you'll run into the gorgeous housing of Valle Verde. Seriously, you've got to check this place out if you're looking for rental homes.
Living in Orange Cove
Orange Cove is a highly residential city, so that must mean there's nothing to do there, right? Even though awesomeness may take a little more seeking out than in places like New York City or Los Angeles, it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
Fresno County Blossom Trail
Orange Cove is ground zero for the kickoff of the Fresno County Blossom Trail every year. This is a celebration of the commencement of the spring growing season. Oh, did we forget to mention that this is a big agricultural city? Was the hundreds of acres of orange groves not enough to tip you off?
Close to Everything
Sometimes you'll want a break from all the orange groves, and when that time comes, Orange Cove is in a great location. You're less than an hour from Fresno and the Kings Canyon National Park. Even Pismo Beach and Yosemite National Park are within three hours driving distance. Don't complain; most people in America are over 24 hours away from these awesome places.
Awesome Community Events
Head over to Hillcrest any time to enjoy one event or another. There's more in nearby Reedley, but it's got everything from a yearly Railfest celebration to year-round shops. You can even enjoy Christmas tree farms or pumpkin patches depending on the season. We are really hoping you can figure out which season is which on your own.