Lake Isabella area livability? (Bakersfield, Ridgecrest: houses, camping, live)

[direstraights]

Houses are cheap there for what U get, but there's always a gotcha or 2 when that's the case. What are they aside from the isolation? I'm retired so no work finding worries. What about crime? Is the altitude too high for someone my age? any other thoughts?

[kttam186290]

There aren't a lot of good medical services there for older people.

You'll find yourself going to Bakersfield for that. If you have a boat and you like to fish, it can be nice during years when there's a large amount of water in the lake.

For major shopping, you'll find yourself going to Bakersfield, as well.

[That_One_Girl]

I think it's a pretty nice area. I was just camping at the lake the other day. Peaceful night, peaceful morning, no one bothered me at all. Lots of wildlife around. I'm considering the area too. The prices are cheap for a California town with pretty scenery and water nearby.

My main complaint is there isn't much around. Other than a few small grocery stores and what not there doesn't seem to be any shopping. And as a single woman, I'm not sure there'd be much of a dating scene there. Also, I'm pretty young(ish) so I can't really comment on the elevation or things like that.

The scenery there is so beautiful though. I'm going back for more camping this fall and looking forward to it.

Edit: Also, I really liked the small towns east of Lake Isabella too. The drive between LI and Ridgecrest is really cool. Some of the smaller towns (forget their names) were nicer than LI in my opinion--but of course, they are also even more isolated in the middle of nowhere.

[Mr5150]

Altitude? Lake Isabella is at 2500’. 2500’ is nothing. I live at 4000’, age 69. We have retirees at close to 6000’. Unless you have COPD altitude is not a factor.

[Shakeybonez]

I just spent 2 months up there for work, Lake Isabella/ Kernville... I would not move up there, the isolation is real. I made the drive up everyday from bakersfield to lake isabella... up the 178 and back down. To be completely honest, it all seems pretty rundown, wafford heights and bodfish are suspect. Looks like a big drug problem in those two areas. (Meth, walking zombies and such) kernville has a nice city area that kinda reminds me of what it would be like in older times like 50s -60s



If you want Isolation and Country feel, and you have money, move to the North East side of the lake off of sierra lake road. theres some really really nice homes on that side.


On the flipside great food at Neldas Diner and cheryls diner (kernville for cheryls...Bodfish for Nelda's).


scenery is very pretty in alot of locations. also its not very diverse, I saw approximately 3 black people total, and like 10 hispanics and zero asian's