Retiring to Porterville

[janellen]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

They're anything but overlords. Who owns the land? Most of the businesses? Who still has the political clout? Yeah, that's right.

Oh for heaven's sake, did you not notice the "lol" at the end of that statement? Now, as to your questions: In my town, Mexicans own a lot of the land, businesses, and they are on the city counsel and school board. We seem to get along ok here. We do have an illegal problem though and legal Mexicans aren't happy with the illegals either. They call them their "border brothers" but they spit when they do it.
The Mexican citizenry treat the illegals with more contempt than the anglos do.

[Lisachocoholic]

Originally Posted by kuriouskanadian

Hi

I was looking on a real estate site and found a home on Harrison Circle in Porterville. Is this a good neighbourhood? And is Porterville as good a place as any to retire to? We'd be moving from Ontario Canada.

Thanks

Its 5 years since you posted and this may be of no use now, but after 2.5 years in Porterville, I would never live here again and can't wait to move.

In February the only public library burned down (arson) and it'll be years before a new one is built. So if you value libraries, cross that off your list.

The shopping consists of Walmart or Target. There are some Mom and Pop stores but mostly very specialized e.g.quinceanera dresses, antiques and collectibles.

The unemployment rate before Covid19 was already higher than state average (maybe irrelevant if you're retired), the poverty rate is well above state average.

Summer anywhere in Central valley is HOT! Add a couple hundred dollars to each electricity bill June through October.

They seem to be trying to make downtown a nice place but aren't working hard at it and the buildings mostly are unsafe. Found out this when it was revealed after library fire that city council chose for decades to not invest in smoke alarms or sprinkler systems. All downtown is the same. BTW two firemen died in the library fire.

There is one movie theater with 4 screens. There are no fancy or modern restaurants, although there are many individually owned places, some divey but good food

I would not recommend Porterville or anywhere in Tulare County fir that matter.Especially for retirement. If you can afford it San Luis Obispo County would be much better. If you must be in the Porterville area, at least try Visalia about 30 miles north.