Why does Fresno has such a bad reputation? (San Diego, Oakland: credit, theatre)

[JoshFromSoCal]

I've lived in Fresno when I was younger and still have family living there, and I go there 3-4 times a year to visit them. And in my opinion, Fresno is not that bad as people make it to be!!! I mean, it's not one of the best places to live, but it's far from the worst places list tho. Of course, Fresno has more "bad" areas than most of California cities, but the rest of the city is really nice! The economy is not THAT BAD as people think, it has some troubles, right, but nothing like some East Coast/Midwest cities. And the jobs are there if you have the qualification. I understand some people may dont' like it, but give some credit to Fresno!!!
So, in my opinion Fresno is a great city with lots of potential, not at the same level as LA or SF of course, but it's a decent place at all.

[Adriatica]

The bad reputation comes largely from people who have never even lived there. Sometimes from people who have never been there, too. Or they've driven through it on 99 and think they've seen it all. I've even had people tell me that they've been through Fresno on I-5--that's how little some people in the more populated parts of the state know about the central valley. It's laughable, really.

Some of it comes from the longstanding attitudes of "cityfolk" (coastal urban areas) looking down on "countryfolk" (central valley areas). Neither of those terms is accurate anymore, but the attitudes still exist just as they have for many decades.

Now there is some homegrown attitude, too. There's always been a feeling amongst the young people there that they can't wait to get out. It was prevalent when I was in high school and it's still there now. Guess where most of those folks live now that we're all a bit older? That's right--right back in Fresno. Turns out the grass isn't always greener.

Now Fresno certainly has its flaws, just like every city. It grew very quickly at certain points in its history and local mindsets didn't necessarily keep up. There was a big shift from small town/ag to large city/urban and the city is still figuring out its new identity.

I've lived in Fresno for a total of 28 years: age 0 to 18 and then for an additional 10 years as an adult with my own family. I also have the unique perspective of having worked or a local/regional government agency while I was there, in a city/transportation planning capacity. There's not much about that city that I don't know. Much of what I read on city-data about it is inaccurate and/or exaggerated.

I've lived in several other parts of California. Some of them I would prefer over Fresno and others I would never live in again and would choose Fresno over them any day.

I enjoyed growing up there, I enjoyed raising children there, I enjoyed working there, and I was never at a loss for things to do (which seems to be a major complaint, although I'll never understand why).

I agree that it's a city with much potential. I'm sure there will be great decisions made for Fresno in the future and some poor ones, too. Just like everywhere else.

[04kL4nD]

tl;dr

Fresno just sucks.

[Adriatica]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

tl;dr

Fresno just sucks.

And there you go. Thanks for being a perfect example! That's the kind of knee-jerk reaction I'm talking about. Sort of like when someone posts "I need advice on moving to Fresno" and someone posts "Don't" and thinks that they've won the internet with their extraordinary wit.

[Tulemutt]

Well, let me just say it's subjective, individual. For example, for me, Fresno sucks.

[JoshFromSoCal]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

tl;dr

Fresno just sucks.

It's funny to read someone from Oakland saying that Fresno sucks... lol

[bentobox34]

The two factors that would make me never move there are air quality and pesticides.

[aboveordinary]

Fresno and Bakersfield are the two most undesireable cities in California. Just awful. It's like the Bible Belt of California. The only thing Fresno has going for it is its close proximity to Yosemite and other outdoor recreation areas.

[Danbo1957]

Originally Posted by aboveordinary

Fresno and Bakersfield are the two most undesireable cities in California.

With the above, include these for a dozen: Stockton, California City, El Centro, Vajello, San Bernadino (hate this town), Palmdale, Compton, Barstow, Calexico, and of course Taft.

[sacite]

I wanted to visit Fresno on my way to San Diego. GF wouldn't let us stop lol. I like these gritty areas that everyone disses. Cleveland, Detroit, Fresno. I'd like to visit and explore them all.

A lot of people hail big cities for their prevelance of things people never do. Theatre, concerts, etc. I know people that live in SD and rarely go to the beach. These are usually the types that dis every other city for having less, despite the fact that they are never doing any of said activities themselves.