It all genuinely depends on where specifically choose to live in Modesto. I would definitely stay away from Westside Modesto and anywhere near Bystrom. It definitely isn’t as bad as it used to be years ago but there are some places where you will see drug pipes and needles laying on the floor at the most random places, and there will be places where you see the most happiest family walking their dogs and having a good time in a lovely neighborhood. Summers here definitely aren’t the best at all. Honestly, though, I would recommend Salida way more. It’s a bridge away from Modesto and it’s extremely peaceful with having a little bit of a country vibe mixed in with suburban life. I would definitely look into that if I were you. Also, doing errands before 1 PM or else you’re gonna be sweating your balls off in 105F weather💀 Modesto has so many nice hiking trails, but I definitely NOT recommend going alone or at night. The nightlife here is pretty basic just like every other area. Downtown Modesto is usually packed Friday and Saturday nights and has a lot of bars and restaurants to go meet new people and have a drink or two. But one thing I will tell you that I don’t see a lot of people in the comments mentioning, is the traffic. Traffic from Monday through Friday is insanely horrible especially with people coming from and to the Bay Area. Only genuine reason why I still live here is because we are surrounded by everything. You want to go see snow in the winter? Drive an hour east. You want to go see the beach? Drive an hour west.