The Central Valley's Top 2 Neighborhoods: Woodward Park And Bullard

Are you thinking about moving to the Central Valley but aren’t sure which area is right for you? In this episode of Fresno Redefined, I’m going to share 2 of my favorite neighborhoods in the Central Valley that you’ve got to check out. We’ll explore everything from nature trails to housing prices so you can decide if one of these areas is right for you.

Woodward Park

The first Central Valley neighborhood you need to check out is Woodward Park.  Back in 1968, Ralph Woodward—a Fresno real estate mogul—bequeathed most of the land where the park is today to provide a regional park and bird sanctuary in northeast Fresno. The Woodward Park neighborhood is now home to over 58,000 residents and is located in northeast Fresno, just off Highway 41 and heading east on Friant Road. It has Woodward Park in the northwest and runs north to Shepherd Avenue, with one of the newest shopping centers crossing to the southwest.

As far as commute times go, Woodward Park provides easy access via freeway 41 to just about anywhere in Fresno, Clovis, and beyond. It's 13.8 miles from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, which is about a 20-minute drive. It's also 11 miles or 17 minutes to downtown Fresno and just a 5-minute drive to some of the best shopping restaurants and office facilities in the city.

Do you love to connect with nature? You can definitely do that here in Woodward Park. This area is known for its great regional park spanning over 300 acres along the south bank of the San Joaquin River. This beautiful park has two cross-country courses and trails that connect to the Lewis Eaton trail system. It also features an amphitheater for entertainment, a fenced dog park, and the beautiful Shinzen and Japanese garden. I have many fond memories of taking my son to Woodward Park when he was young, playing on the structures and feeding the ducks at one of its many ponds.

Real estate prices in Woodward Park vary, depending on whether you buy or rent. The average single-family home in Woodward Park ranges in size from 1700 to 3000 square feet, with a median of approximately 2200 square feet and roughly $461,000. If you're looking to rent in the area, you can plan on spending $1,475 a month on average. Woodward Park has a 66% homeownership rate, with the area characterized by walking and bike trails, mature landscaping, and homes typically built in the 1980s and 1990s.

Bullard

The second neighborhood that I want you to check out is Bullard. The Bullard neighborhood is located in northwest Fresno, spanning from Ashlan Avenue up past Herndon. It's east of 99 and west of Highway 41.

One of the reasons people like living in this location is because of the easy access to two of the major highways in Fresno. From the heart of the Bullard area, it’s a 14-minute drive on the 41 south to downtown. It's also 11 miles from the Fresno airport, which would take you about 18 minutes.

Homes in this area are going to range in price from $300,000 to over $1 million if you're on the extension. Houses in this area are typically characterized as either ranch style or mid-century modern, which are very popular right now. If you're looking to rent in this area, you can plan on spending between $995 a month and $2,300 for a single-family home.

There’s plenty to do and see in Bullard, such as Fig Garden Village located right in the heart of the neighborhood. This area has plenty of shopping and restaurants, all with quick access to the Central Valley.

Come Explore The Central Valley

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Woodward Park and Bullard, great neighborhoods that exemplify Central Valley living. If you'd like information on either of these areas or anywhere else in Fresno County, feel free to reach out to me,  and I’d be happy to connect with you.

You can also subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of Fresno Redefined, where we talk about everything Fresno and Clovis lifestyle and living. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!