From Oklahoma to Bakersfield? (San Francisco, Fresno: rent, job market, to buy)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I read through some old posts on Bakersfield and yes, maybe I should stick to those threads instead of starting a new one, but my questions and concerns may be different so I decided to take the plunge.
Oklahoma is green country, but from what I've read, Bakersfield is desert? My only experience with anything like that is Yuma, AZ one Christmas. I sure enjoyed the desert and nice temps after our big ice storm in Oklahoma.
BUT, I couldn't imagine summer out there!
We "may" be moving out to Bakersfield for a job, a really enticing job. The kind of offer that is hard to resist, but I am concerned about the info I read on pollution out there. I was also shocked to read that it is such a conservative, bible-thumping city. I get enough of that out here, and it's changing a bit though (Tulsa, the Austin of Oklahoma), so that would be a bit unbearable if they're all over you wanting to save your soul etc.
Hospitals: I have health problems and good doctors/specialist/hospital is important to me. I know LA isn't too far off, but when I'm ill, I will not want to go out there unless it's for a few days.
We would rent first and then seeing that hubby wants at least 10 years at that job, we will want to buy or build a home. Good idea?
What about Celiac support group? How can I find out if there is one?
Taekwondo is important to my son. Good martial arts schools?
Would like to continue my language classes (Spanish/French). Adult classes available?
Volunteer opportunities. Who should I contact?
Geez, this sounds all serious. Of course we will want to explore other areas in California and have some fun too, I promise!!!
Still can't get over the idea of leaving seasons, green, and the comfort of being here or 25+ years to move clear across the country
I'm a former Tulsa resident myself. I don't live in Bakersfield but I do live in the Central Valley.
The biggest issue to me is that Tulsa is one of the major cities in its state, whereas the Central Valley cities are not, so even though they are about the same size as the major cities in Oklahoma they are strictly lower-tier cities here. So depending on your health situation you may have to go somewhere else for specialized medical care, although it isn't like there are no medical specialists here at all. Related to that is that this isn't really the economic center of the state so depending on what you do the job market isn't very good compared to other places in California. It's similar to the rural eastern areas of Oklahoma as far as the economy goes. However, people that do have good jobs here do pretty well since the cost of living is fairly low compared to other places in the state. I'd say overall a lot of stuff here costs about the same as in Oklahoma, with the exception of gas and housing. Rents may not actually be a whole lot higher than in Tulsa overall, but you will get less for your money.
One good thing though is that the pace is a little slower and it isn't that difficult to get around. But again depending on what you're into, the cultural/entertainment options may be more limited compared to Tulsa. That is certainly the case where I live.
It will be quite a change from Tulsa as far as terrain and climate. It tends to get hotter in the Central Valley [not this past summer, though] but it is usually not that rough most of the time due to low humidity. I know Tulsa used to be moving toward having worse air quality when I lived there, and I imagine it is just as bad now, but I'm pretty sure the air quality is worse here. It took me a while, but I definitely notice it more now than when I first moved here.
The Valley cities are a little more conservative depending on what district you're in. They're more conservative in that there are probably fewer liberal minded people moving here, but I'd say even then it's more like it's conservative for California. You don't really have the hardcore Bible belt vibe that I used to get in Tulsa--I've never been bothered by random strangers or new acquaintances regarding religion. In Tulsa you have more liberal people living there, but they still seemed outnumbered a lot of the time.
I moved to Oklahoma from Riverside three years ago. Where I live is borderline between the northern areas and central ones and our weather depends on which direction it comes from.
Riverside isn't extremely close to Bakersfield, but is in the same climatic area. If you loved this last horrible summer here you'd like the weather in the desert side of southern California. If you hate heat you won't. Summer starts in late spring and continues thru fall. And just as it gets very hot, winters get cold. Spring time you commonly get up to 90 and the temps go down to 30 at night.
Mostly its dry heat, but in triple digits. Late July into August Arizona enters the monsoon season, and the moisture spills into the desert and the humidity goes up considerably. This summer in OK reminded me very much of the ones in the Inland Empire.
I can't tell you about Bakersfield, but stay our of the Riverside, SbD area. It has the worse air quality in the nation. When I arrived in Oklahoma and saw a sky that was blue and air you could breath, I was ready to move.
The other huge huge difference is even in 'laid back' areas the pace of life is much faster. I'm a very happy transplant in part because of that. Still, it took getting used to.
Good luck, and if you can go out and look first, and get an actual feel for things. Support groups you should be able to look up online and get contacts who can tell you more than just a website.
I read through some old posts on Bakersfield and yes, maybe I should stick to those threads instead of starting a new one, but my questions and concerns may be different so I decided to take the plunge.
Oklahoma is green country, but from what I've read, Bakersfield is desert? My only experience with anything like that is Yuma, AZ one Christmas. I sure enjoyed the desert and nice temps after our big ice storm in Oklahoma.
I don't know where you are getting your info but Bakerfield is not desert
BUT, I couldn't imagine summer out there!
They are like Tulsa OK
We "may" be moving out to Bakersfield for a job, a really enticing job. The kind of offer that is hard to resist, but I am concerned about the info I read on pollution out there. I was also shocked to read that it is such a conservative, bible-thumping city. I get enough of that out here, and it's changing a bit though (Tulsa, the Austin of Oklahoma), so that would be a bit unbearable if they're all over you wanting to save your soul etc.
Most of the people in Bakerfield came from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression Era , as a matter of fact my Great Grandfather moved from Nowata OK to Fresno CA a Central Valley City about 100 miles up the road from Bakerfield. I came to California in the Military and decided to remain here.
Hospitals: I have health problems and good doctors/specialist/hospital is important to me. I know LA isn't too far off, but when I'm ill, I will not want to go out there unless it's for a few days.
Some of the best doctors in the world are in LA and the Bay Area..UCLA , USC , Stanford Medical Center University of San Francisco Med Center
We would rent first and then seeing that hubby wants at least 10 years at that job, we will want to buy or build a home. Good idea?
What about Celiac support group? How can I find out if there is one?
Taekwondo is important to my son. Good martial arts schools?
Would like to continue my language classes (Spanish/French). Adult classes available?
Volunteer opportunities. Who should I contact?
Geez, this sounds all serious. Of course we will want to explore other areas in California and have some fun too, I promise!!!
Still can't get over the idea of leaving seasons, green, and the comfort of being here or 25+ years to move clear across the country
Contact the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce...........Before you move there they will give all the info that you could possibly ever need.
Actually, Tulsa used to be quite a hick town, but I would say in the last 10 years or so, it has changed a lot. I now call it the Austin of Oklahoma With our new BOK center, we are getting lots of good concerts, have more restaurants than 10 years ago, shopping has improved and almost caught up to Dallas We have the outlet mall newly opened in OK City...makes me wonder about the "one hick town to another" comment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 04kL4nD
Stay in Oklahoma
I am tempted! We are more liberal minded people and the ultra conservatives here test my ability to keep my mouth shut sometimes. But there is that amazing job offer in Bako
Quote:
Originally Posted by e_cuyler
I'm a former Tulsa resident myself. I don't live in Bakersfield but I do live in the Central Valley.
The biggest issue to me is that Tulsa is one of the major cities in its state, whereas the Central Valley cities are not, so even though they are about the same size as the major cities in Oklahoma they are strictly lower-tier cities here. So depending on your health situation you may have to go somewhere else for specialized medical care, although it isn't like there are no medical specialists here at all. Related to that is that this isn't really the economic center of the state so depending on what you do the job market isn't very good compared to other places in California. It's similar to the rural eastern areas of Oklahoma as far as the economy goes. However, people that do have good jobs here do pretty well since the cost of living is fairly low compared to other places in the state. I'd say overall a lot of stuff here costs about the same as in Oklahoma, with the exception of gas and housing. Rents may not actually be a whole lot higher than in Tulsa overall, but you will get less for your money.
One good thing though is that the pace is a little slower and it isn't that difficult to get around. But again depending on what you're into, the cultural/entertainment options may be more limited compared to Tulsa. That is certainly the case where I live.
It will be quite a change from Tulsa as far as terrain and climate. It tends to get hotter in the Central Valley [not this past summer, though] but it is usually not that rough most of the time due to low humidity. I know Tulsa used to be moving toward having worse air quality when I lived there, and I imagine it is just as bad now, but I'm pretty sure the air quality is worse here. It took me a while, but I definitely notice it more now than when I first moved here.
The Valley cities are a little more conservative depending on what district you're in. They're more conservative in that there are probably fewer liberal minded people moving here, but I'd say even then it's more like it's conservative for California. You don't really have the hardcore Bible belt vibe that I used to get in Tulsa--I've never been bothered by random strangers or new acquaintances regarding religion. In Tulsa you have more liberal people living there, but they still seemed outnumbered a lot of the time.
Thankfully, some of those hardcore Bible belters might have moved to Missouri! There is Rhema Bible college and Oral Roberts as well, so people still flock out here to learn about how to annoy others with their conviction that they are the only "saved" ones, etc. etc. but it's not as bad as it used to be. Your comments were very helpful by the way, more than some of the others
Quote:
Originally Posted by nightbird47
I moved to Oklahoma from Riverside three years ago. Where I live is borderline between the northern areas and central ones and our weather depends on which direction it comes from.
Riverside isn't extremely close to Bakersfield, but is in the same climatic area. If you loved this last horrible summer here you'd like the weather in the desert side of southern California. If you hate heat you won't. Summer starts in late spring and continues thru fall. And just as it gets very hot, winters get cold. Spring time you commonly get up to 90 and the temps go down to 30 at night.
Mostly its dry heat, but in triple digits. Late July into August Arizona enters the monsoon season, and the moisture spills into the desert and the humidity goes up considerably. This summer in OK reminded me very much of the ones in the Inland Empire.
God awful summer! My goodness, I was ready to move out to Colorado in the mountains somewhere. I avoided being outdoors for most of it, which drove me as crazy as wintertime.
I can't tell you about Bakersfield, but stay our of the Riverside, SbD area. It has the worse air quality in the nation. When I arrived in Oklahoma and saw a sky that was blue and air you could breath, I was ready to move.
Yep, blue skies as I type
The other huge huge difference is even in 'laid back' areas the pace of life is much faster. I'm a very happy transplant in part because of that. Still, it took getting used to.
Good luck, and if you can go out and look first, and get an actual feel for things. Support groups you should be able to look up online and get contacts who can tell you more than just a website.
We plan to fly out there first to see for ourselves. I am extremely concerned about the pollution though. My son tends to have respiratory problems out here a few times of year and I'm wondering if it will worsen out there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curmudgeon
You'll barely notice the difference!
Have you been to Tulsa? You need to do this before giving comments. From what I've seen online, Bakersfield isn't as pretty, green or have the blue skies we have.
I think we have to look overall at quality of life. Even though the mountains, beaches, big cities aren't too far away, I can't see myself driving to those places every weekend. There is always something to do in the house, homework, errands and the usual things we spend too much time doing so our week is easier/smoother.
I am trying to do research and compare both places. One offers more money (Bako), but the other has all my friends!
In terms of amenities, it's really come down to this: Two of Oklahoma's big cities (OKC and Tulsa) vs. the entire state of California. Bakersfield alone is not going to win against the Tulsa.
If your children has respiratory problems, then don't take the job in Bakersfield. Why gamble their health and then regret the decision when you know beforehand that the central valley has one of the worst air quality in the nation?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.