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Old 09-19-2010, 09:51 AM
 
Location: Orlando, FL
1 posts, read 61,219 times
Reputation: 22

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I've been doing a bit of...I guess you can say, "research", and I've seen that Bakersfield happens to be one of the cheapest places to live in California, but...from what I also have read, it's not safe and the "air is bad". Well, what are your thoughts on Bakersfield, CA? If I do decide to move there, what are the safest neighborhoods? Also, can you suggest to me any other cheap and safe places to live in California? And by cheap, I mean my rent for an apartment can be 700-1,000.

Thanks.
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Old 09-19-2010, 10:30 AM
 
Location: California
11,466 posts, read 19,355,649 times
Reputation: 12713
I live in bakersfield, there are plenty of safe areas, avoid east Bakersfield, do you have a job oppurtunity? I've lived her for a long time, never had a problem with safety, your going to hear alot of bad things from people who don't live here, the best advise is to visit before you move no matter where it is.
Let the bashing begin LOL
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Old 09-19-2010, 10:38 AM
 
Location: Sacramento
14,044 posts, read 27,224,933 times
Reputation: 7373
I'd say you have a lot of safe and somewhat inexpensive places to live in California, but as Roaddog states you have to take a close look at an area.

You can live in metro Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, "inland empire", Sacramento or many other of the places in CA and be just fine.
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Old 09-19-2010, 11:56 AM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,260,509 times
Reputation: 6920
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michelleeriot View Post
I've been doing a bit of...I guess you can say, "research", and I've seen that Bakersfield happens to be one of the cheapest places to live in California, but...from what I also have read, it's not safe and the "air is bad". Well, what are your thoughts on Bakersfield, CA? If I do decide to move there, what are the safest neighborhoods? Also, can you suggest to me any other cheap and safe places to live in California? And by cheap, I mean my rent for an apartment can be 700-1,000.

Thanks.
Barstow. Just out of curiosity though why would you move somewhere just because it's cheap and safe? Don't fun, interesting, and life enriching come into play at all? If I had 700-1000 to spend I'd probably find some nice old person living in a giant house somewhere cool who'd let me rent a room. I'll bet if you looked around you could even find something close to the beach like that. Just me but I'd rather live in a tent in someone's Carmel backyard than the nicest apartment in inland CA.
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Old 09-19-2010, 12:16 PM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,489,025 times
Reputation: 29337
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michelleeriot View Post
...I've seen that Bakersfield happens to be one of the cheapest places to live in California...
There are reasons for that. And, yes, I lived there once.

At least Orlando has Disney World!
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Old 09-19-2010, 01:03 PM
 
Location: Santa Barbara
514 posts, read 687,114 times
Reputation: 175
California Hot Springs, and vicinity
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Old 09-19-2010, 02:11 PM
 
2,093 posts, read 4,699,458 times
Reputation: 1121
Never choose to live in Bakersfield or any other city because it is cheaper.
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Old 09-19-2010, 02:43 PM
 
Location: Vancouver, WA
8,214 posts, read 16,705,829 times
Reputation: 9463
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAVA1990 View Post
Barstow. Just out of curiosity though why would you move somewhere just because it's cheap and safe? Don't fun, interesting, and life enriching come into play at all? If I had 700-1000 to spend I'd probably find some nice old person living in a giant house somewhere cool who'd let me rent a room. I'll bet if you looked around you could even find something close to the beach like that. Just me but I'd rather live in a tent in someone's Carmel backyard than the nicest apartment in inland CA.
CAVA1990 hit a home run with this post! I mean really, what do you want out of life? And more specifically life in CA? beyond cheap and safe what are your interests?

Creative ppl learn how to live on shoestring budgets in some surprisingly beautiful parts of the state. Plus you will be so much more motivated to wake up in the morning and greet the day in a place you might actually like/enjoy vs. simply surviving while not getting mugged.

Does it matter which part of the state (southern, northern, central)? What about the weather and how it affects you in places like the desert, mtns, coast, etc..? Do you have allergies, respitory issues, etc..?

I think there has been some good advice given regarding Bakersfield. There is a lot of bashing of it and Fresno lately. And admittedly some love living in these places while others hate them with a passion. Much will depend on you and what you like/dislike.

Derek

Last edited by MtnSurfer; 09-19-2010 at 02:52 PM..
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Old 09-19-2010, 03:47 PM
 
Location: Northern California
3,722 posts, read 14,726,986 times
Reputation: 1962
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAVA1990 View Post
Barstow. Just out of curiosity though why would you move somewhere just because it's cheap and safe? Don't fun, interesting, and life enriching come into play at all?
Oh puhleeze. There's nothing wrong with Bakersfield (I don't live there). It's not a totally souless cultural waste land. With a population of over 300,000, I'm sure there must be a few things to do there. It's also not too far to drive to National Parks or over to the cental coast. I say the OP should go for it if that's what they want. Not everyone wants to or can afford to live at the beach, West LA or in San Francisco.
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Old 09-19-2010, 06:20 PM
 
Location: Back in the Southland
1,054 posts, read 1,793,345 times
Reputation: 588
You can live in Bakersfield, I wouldn't though. Bakersfield just isn't my type of city . Riverside County is a good option
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