On my way to BAKERSFIELD!!! (maybe) (condo, houses, transfer)

[TaureanOfficer]

Wassup people. Im considering making a big move from Georgia to California sometime next year. The Bakersfield area makes the most sense, I think. Im a Corrections Officer at a prison and thats really the only thing that I have verifiable experience at, other than being in the Army. The job is not that bad so I figure I might as well make it a career. Just NOT IN GEORGIA. The pay sucks like hell, were some of the lowest paid corrections officers in the country. The only way im gonna make this job a career is to move to another state, so I chose Cali. Im considering Bakersfield because its a mid-sized area thats within a couple hours commute from LA, its not as expensive as other areas of Cali and there are FOUR prisons in Kern county (main reason). BTW the median salary for officers in Cali is around $65,000 yr. In GA its about $28,000.... Need I say more??

Oh yeah, im a 26 yr. old single male that works hard and plays harder. A co-worker thats from Cali told me I would feel right at home so wish me luck.

Any feedback (positive) on this topic would be greatly appreciated...

[Curmudgeon]

Best of luck. I strongly you apply for a position as soon as you can, or can afford to move to CA, because the Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation (?) is cutting back on positions and transferring staff to prisons that are short-handed. Many of those are in rather undesirable areas. In other words, landing a position in one of the Kern County prisons may not be an option. Also, getting into state service in California can be somewhat time-consuming. The process for CO will include an interview, physical, physical agility test, psych evaluation and a thorough (read: could take awhile) background check. Then you have to wait for a class at the Correctional Academy which could also take awhile as they've cut back on those too and likely have lengthy waiting lists due to the current economy.

I don't mean to throw cold water on your plans but there are some realities you really do need to take into consideration before you make a move.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by TaureanOfficer

Any feedback (positive) on this topic would be greatly appreciated...

Only positive. So you're looking to be stroked? Good luck.

[TaureanOfficer]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Only positive. So you're looking to be stroked? Good luck.

Go back to bed...

[TaureanOfficer]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Best of luck. I strongly you apply for a position as soon as you can, or can afford to move to CA, because the Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation (?) is cutting back on positions and transferring staff to prisons that are short-handed. Many of those are in rather undesirable areas. In other words, landing a position in one of the Kern County prisons may not be an option. Also, getting into state service in California can be somewhat time-consuming. The process for CO will include an interview, physical, physical agility test, psych evaluation and a thorough (read: could take awhile) background check. Then you have to wait for a class at the Correctional Academy which could also take awhile as they've cut back on those too and likely have lengthy waiting lists due to the current economy.

I don't mean to throw cold water on your plans but there are some realities you really do need to take into consideration before you make a move.

I've heard California's hiring process is lengthy so thats something that doesnt really surprise me, but I didnt know about the cutbacks. In the words on my grandma "chile if it aint one thang its anotha"

[Fontucky]

I'm just warning you... this is C-D, expect negative stuff. Not from me, of course. I'm a pillar of positivity.

[TaureanOfficer]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I'm just warning you... this is C-D, expect negative stuff. Not from me, of course. I'm a pillar of positivity.

When I said positive I meant helpful info thats on topic not just a bunch of disgruntled blah from someone who wants to move but cant afford to. Maybe I should have said useful feedback.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by TaureanOfficer

When I said positive I meant helpful info thats on topic not just a bunch of disgruntled blah from someone who wants to move but cant afford to. Maybe I should have said useful feedback.

Good luck. I think you'll be fine in Bakersfield. Its a suburban mid sized city and of course its in the central valley and has that stigma. The valley is the "lesser" California, at least if you live on the coast. You still have great proximity to the mountains and coastal regions, very short drives.
The main differences; drier climate than Georgia, less affluence than suburban Atlanta, more hispanics, less blacks, and great produce. Houses are reasonable, right now. I would say if you can go there and make a strategic purchase on a house, in a few years you'll be in great shape.

[Fargobound]

I sure hope you did a little more homework considering Jerry’s kids are now be let out of California’s prisons at an alarming rate. I don’t see much “expansion” in the CDC considering that California is too damn broke.

With that said, let me be the first to offer my condolences on moving to Bakersfield. I got ripped off hardcore in Bakersfield in 2001 and to this day I’m hoping an asteroid wipes out the whole town.

[Joy74]

Bakersfield is not a desirable location to many, but if you can get a job there, then it may be o.k. Its affordable, and L.A. is not that far from Bakersfield. If you don't mind desert like weather, you'll be able to deal with the heat. There is no humidity, but it does get very hot in Bakersfield. In any case, better pay will make moving worth it.