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I’d move to the Sacramento area. I lived in SF proper for 7 years until I just couldn’t longer afford it. If there is any place in the Central Valley worth of moving to is Sacramento. Much more diverse, decent nightlife, slightly better weather, more amenities, and more young professionals than Fresno.
But than again, I’m willing to pay more to live in Sacramento than Fresno ~ no offense to Fresans.
I was born and raised in Fresno and lived there for 38 years.
Pros:
Affordable compared to the rest of California.
One hour drive gets you into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Three hour drive gets you to the beach. So while the city may suck, you're not that far from nicer places to vacation. Also fairly close to Yellowstone, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Cons:
Bad air, smoggy all summer especially when fire season starts. The Sierra Nevada mountains are there but you can't see them most of the time because the air is so bad. Lots of people with asthma.
Hot. If you enjoy 100+ temperatures starting in May and lasting through August and into September then you'll love it here, I did not enjoy being stuck inside all summer long because it was literally too hot to stay outside. People die here because of the heat. It's miserable, but it is a dry heat if that helps.
Not knowing what your political views are Fresno/Clovis us a conservative pocket of California. That could be a pro or a com depending on your personal views.
Fresno is not pretty. No one visits Fresno and says Wow I want to live here! It's a place you end up or you were born into. If you're smart you move away as eventually I did and I never looked back.
My advice you can do better than Fresno. At the very least rent for a year and see if it's a fit for you, if not get out of dodge.
I was born and raised in Fresno and lived there for 38 years.
Pros:
Affordable compared to the rest of California.
One hour drive gets you into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Three hour drive gets you to the beach. So while the city may suck, you're not that far from nicer places to vacation. Also fairly close to Yellowstone, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Cons:
Bad air, smoggy all summer especially when fire season starts. The Sierra Nevada mountains are there but you can't see them most of the time because the air is so bad. Lots of people with asthma.
Hot. If you enjoy 100+ temperatures starting in May and lasting through August and into September then you'll love it here, I did not enjoy being stuck inside all summer long because it was literally too hot to stay outside. People die here because of the heat. It's miserable, but it is a dry heat if that helps.
Not knowing what your political views are Fresno/Clovis us a conservative pocket of California. That could be a pro or a com depending on your personal views.
Fresno is not pretty. No one visits Fresno and says Wow I want to live here! It's a place you end up or you were born into. If you're smart you move away as eventually I did and I never looked back.
My advice you can do better than Fresno. At the very least rent for a year and see if it's a fit for you, if not get out of dodge.
dude said he will be buying a home close to the high 500 and 600 range. He would be putting himself in NE fresno and possibly even copper river territory or north clovis area. Where can he get that kind of living anywhere else in CA other than Bakersfield which is the last remaining big city in CA. People will say Sacramento, but Sac cost easily $100-200K more for a similar neighborhood/house/living.
If you grew up in fresno but lived in poverty and/or not north of shaw or in the nicer parts, then who wouldn't want to leave. Same goes for other places if you grew up in a bad neighborhood.
Maybe he is smarter than you think as if he will be one of the fewer educated who move in and is able to land the rare high paying job in a low cost of living area, he will have more expendable money.
I will agree fresno is not pretty especially those passing through because the 99 being the main way in and out is at the edge of the city and the edge being alot of undeveloped and questionable areas. Going through parts of 180/168/41 actually isnt bad. Heck unless you go through those, going through the 99 makes Fresno look like nothing and many would never know its actually a big city of 550K people and the 5th largest in the state of CA.
I'm born and raised in Fresno myself. I live in LA now but I'm always in town at least every other month. I would say rent an apartment for a year or so before you buy something to make sure you like the area first of all. Have some job options open before moving cause big job opportunities can be sketchy on that end. Have an a/c unit cause the summer heat is really bad. But if Covid-19 can subside the Fresno bars, restaurants, nightlife is actually pretty good imo. Plus pretty much all the big concerts stop in town. North Fresno has some spots but you have to also check out the Tower District which is in the center of the city just north of downtown. Its on the edgy side but its also the hip, charming, cultural part of town: its walk-able with numerous bars, eateries, performance venues, art galleries, etc. Like if an Anthony Bourdain(may he rip) type show came to Fresno they would definitely shoot some footage in the Tower District as opposed to North Fresno which I'll admit is safer, newer, and cleaner but its soul-less suburbia with malls and chain restaurants- basically the same sh*t that's found in every city. Hopefully they can continue to develop downtown and it'll give the area a nice boost in things to do and see. But rent first before you decide to buy.
Yes Fresno and the rest of the Central Valley cities don't have the pacific ocean to rely on like the monster world class cities along the coast but its a good place to live. Its hard to get any love when you're in the same state a behemoths like LA, SF, San Diego, etc. Also I got friends in the Bay Area who tell me since the tech world has taken over the region lost alot of its soul and bohemian vibe.. plus they say the nightlife is starting to tail off a bit there as well. As of right now with Covid in the air we're learning that non of these cities are better than the rest. NY, LA, Vegas, etc. are pretty much useless without the bars, restaurants, nightclubs, stadiums, casinos, theaters, beaches, museums, etc. open.
I've visited Fresno a few times a long time ago to see a friend.
I don't really remember the area but it didn't seem too bad.
Just seems like gangsterville really. You have the super gang in Fresno, the Bulldogs who number something like 6000 hardcore members. Then you have dozens of others like Nortenos, Surenos, Crips, Asian gangs like MOD, TRG, etc.
Give me a break. Long ago Fresno was on an interesting musical and entertainment circuit. Think Sammy Davis Jr. and visiting top rated Jazz bands. That was a long time ago. Some nice neighborhoods? Maybe one or two. Now Fresno is the drug capital of the universe. Gangs? Of course. Meth and Heroin very big in Fresno. Used to be the raisin (hot hot hot) capital of the world, but now I think Gallo (wines) has bought up most of the farm lands.
I've visited Fresno a few times a long time ago to see a friend.
I don't really remember the area but it didn't seem too bad.
Just seems like gangsterville really. You have the super gang in Fresno, the Bulldogs who number something like 6000 hardcore members. Then you have dozens of others like Nortenos, Surenos, Crips, Asian gangs like MOD, TRG, etc.
gangsterville? when did you last visit fresno, back in the 90s and early 00s. As of late gangsterville doesnt reflect the violent crime stats:
Another site (which I cant link because its competing site to city-data) violent crime stats per 100K population:
Fresno - 555
San Francisco - 691
Sacramento - 657
Los Angeles - 748
Crime should no longer be the reason people hate or talk down on fresno. It has been safer than other desireable cities for several years. Maybe in the early 90s and 00s then sure Fresno could accept that wrap. But not as of late.
I was born and raised in Fresno and lived there for 38 years.
Pros:
Affordable compared to the rest of California.
One hour drive gets you into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Three hour drive gets you to the beach. So while the city may suck, you're not that far from nicer places to vacation. Also fairly close to Yellowstone, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Cons:
Bad air, smoggy all summer especially when fire season starts. The Sierra Nevada mountains are there but you can't see them most of the time because the air is so bad. Lots of people with asthma.
Hot. If you enjoy 100+ temperatures starting in May and lasting through August and into September then you'll love it here, I did not enjoy being stuck inside all summer long because it was literally too hot to stay outside. People die here because of the heat. It's miserable, but it is a dry heat if that helps.
Not knowing what your political views are Fresno/Clovis us a conservative pocket of California. That could be a pro or a com depending on your personal views.
Fresno is not pretty. No one visits Fresno and says Wow I want to live here! It's a place you end up or you were born into. If you're smart you move away as eventually I did and I never looked back.
My advice you can do better than Fresno. At the very least rent for a year and see if it's a fit for you, if not get out of dodge.
Born and raised in Fresno and back in Fresno (family) after 25 years in AZ, TX, NC. Crazy4Chickens post most closely resembles my experience. I will add just a few notes. 1) A pool transforms summer - especially evenings. 2) Solar is also a big deal (my electric bill is literally zero). 3) You must travel to LA/SF for cultural amenities (museums, etc.).
I will say that we were visiting my father in law one time and decided to stay in Clovis. I had heard that Clovis was a nicer, upscale area. I was surprised that there were some sketchy parts of Clovis.
I agree that parts of Fresno are much better than Oakland or other bad parts of the Bay Area. My point is that you're really not that far away from a sketchy area. Sure, you are probably safe to stay in the nicer areas, but I always felt that there were a lot of areas where you wouldn't want to venture out at night, let alone daytime.
I have never been persuaded by the crime argument. What matters isn't the general crime rate in the region, but the local crime rate in the neighborhood you can afford to buy in. If you can afford to spend more than $500k in Fresno, you are going to be living in a very safe part of the Fresno region.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moddedintegra56
Everything in Sacramento area comparable to Fresno area is AT LEAST $100K more. That house he speaks of in North Fresno for $500-600K is him positioning himself already at the top of the food chain in the Fresno metro area. Basically he would be looked at as "rich".
The major downfall in Fresno area is as you mentioned which are job potential. But if his job allows to work remote or he is in healthcare, law, or something universal. His money would go further in Fresno.
Sac is closer to the general bay area, but from Silicon Valley San Jose, its similar-- 2 hours. And there is less congestion areas because there aren't many other cities on the way to fresno as there is to sac.
Delta breeze is a bonus for sure as it cools noticeably at night where central CA doesnt really.
I think the stronger argument against Fresno is employment and likely the thickness of the local dating market. Sacramento is bigger so its easier to find positions to be promoted in place. Its also going to have a wider range of women to date, which at your age would be a factor in my decision making.
Whether I moved to Fresno or Sacramento, I doubt I would buy a house, but I also wouldn't rent if I had a job, and felt I could cover a mortgage payment comfortably. Instead I would likely buy a duplex, triplex or a fourplex and live in one of the units and rent out the others. At your age, you don't need a large house. I would wait to do that if and when you decide to get married. For owner occupied properties the lending requirements are more lax. If it turns out you get a job transfer or just want to move some place else, hire a property manager and you would have an additional income source going forward.
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