Question for the Bakersfield haters

[Caliguy2007]

I also hate it when people generalize an entire Town,City or State.

I remember reading a post a while back about a young lady that never been to California,but wanted to move here,but she was worried about the Crime and Gangs,well I responded to her and told her that not all 163,696 square miles of California is covered with Crime,and not all 37 Million of us are in Gangs.

Originally Posted by hotornot

I noticed one of those EXAMPLES was Chula Vista. That was wrong to generalize Chula Vista that way. I've never been to Bakersfield, but I have to wonder if you're painting it with a broad stroke of the brush the way you maligned Chula Vista. For the record, Chula Vista has some bad areas to it but it also has some nice, great areas to live. The San Diego Chargers are thinking about moving Chula Vista, that is if they don't move to Los Angeles.

[ERIC N]

wow, I live in Bakersfield and have for 24 years. While it was never my plan to stay here, the town has been good to me. I've lived in uber-liberal and uber-conservative. I usually agree with a significant percentage of what each is saying. I'm pro gay rights, pro death penalty, pro abortion rights, pro gun rights (I don't own one), believe in a strong military and an extremely strong law enforcement community. I want to legalize most drugs (though I have never had a joint, a beer, hard liquor, steroids... health nut). I'm an atheist who strongly believes in the separation of church and state.... I support peoples right to protest against the government, when I agree with them and when I don't. I've never seen a Nascar race. I am registered as a republican so maybe I'm a racist and xenophobe although as 50% of a exceedingly happy mixed race marriage it seems not to have completely taken hold. Yet, I've lived unmolested and freely in this heinous little highly Christian redneck town.


Bakersfield is far from a perfect town. It's people often have decidedly inquisition era opinions. Likewise it doesn't take much looking to find people who enjoy good jazz, intelligent conversation and a strong involved family.

Traffic is an issue, Smog is an issue, in some areas Crime is an issue. But, many live hear happily surrounded by quality people and a few boobs with way too much time on their hands. Hell I might be one as well.

Originally Posted by intheseshoes

I'm a professional classical musician in NYC whose parents unfortunately moved from Pasadena to Bakersfield when I was 8, and although at the time I was socially miserable, I'm glad now to say that I never had anything in common with my classmates. I did go to the 4 Bakersfield Symphony Concerts a year (one of which was usually a "pops" concert), and sometimes Bakersfield Community College or Cal State Bakersfield would produce an opera or a play and I would go. I had a few good teachers who pointed me to things such as when the Armand Hammer art collection came to town. My mom had a wonderful cousin who also "got out" and we are still in touch.

I was afraid of the world outside Bakersfield but I was more afraid of the religious conservatism, racism, and ignorance that surrounded me in Bakersfield, which is why once I went to college, after that first year or two of homesickness I found excuses to not come home for holidays and summers, and after I graduated I stayed in the college town instead of coming home.

My mother died in the year 2000. I went back for her funeral and that's it. I won't go back again.

I know there are probably people in Bakersfield who will read this and will reply with "good riddance!", and all I can say is, it does not exactly break my heart to be rejected by ignorant racists, xenophobes, fundamentalists, blind patriots, NASCAR enthusiasts with beer bellies, etc..

[YellowHorse]

When we lived in Wasco, we would drive into Bakersfield. Liked the town, friendly atmosphere, really loved some of the resturants

[NorCalKid]

i personally dont like bakersfield but thats just because when i have been there it seemed boring and ghetto. the sky never seemed very blue either (real hazy) but like i said i haven't spent a whole lot of time there. and don't get me wrong i grew up in the bay area and moved to texas for awhile so id rather live in bakersfield then anywhere in texas.

[jadybug]

HUMMMM...Bakersfield? "Just find a girl...with far away eyes." Maybe? "If you're down right disgusted, " that is!

Just had to put in a little comic relief. Or, maybe just tame a wild beast. LOL!!

P.S. "I'll never be your beast of burden." Just could not resist folks-LOL

[Suzer]

I'm a San Diego native, and I never thought Bakersfield would become a long term home, but sincerely, it grew on me. It has a home town feel. It's easy to travel across town. There are some enjoyable restaurants, a small but lively arts community, family friendly environment with some nice parks, parades, community festivals, etc. The price is right too. I DESPISE the summer heat, but the rest of the year has generally very mild weather.

[YankeeTom]

Originally Posted by LDDiamondGirl

Well here is what I heard on a recent television show....a credible one.
Bakersfield heads the country in most reported Incest. And on another show I watched renently I was informed that in the Kinsey Report of the 50's it was documented that 40% of the young men interviewed for that report who lived in a rural area had engaged in sex with their animals.

Answer your question?

Vice President Cheney said the same things about West Viginia

[scorpio88]

Being a Bakersfield native there is no culture here.

[ZhugeLiang]

Originally Posted by Roaddog

Please explain to me what you mean when you say culture shock, what does so. cal. have that causes such a statement? What type of culture is Bakersfield lacking? I'm just confused over these statements.

It has nothing to do with culture shock. Bakersfield has all the same **** that nearly every urban/suburban area has. It's the fact that the place just isn't California. Unless one is there for some great job opportunity or something, why would anyone live there?

Why live in such an area and still deal with California's brutal taxation and overregulation when you could live in a similar environment in Texas and at least not have any income taxes. Frankly, I've never understood the reasons for living on Cali's B-side.

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by ZhugeLiang

It has nothing to do with culture shock. Bakersfield has all the same **** that nearly every urban/suburban area has. It's the fact that the place just isn't California. Unless one is there for some great job opportunity or something, why would anyone live there?

Why live in such an area and still deal with California's brutal taxation and overregulation when you could live in a similar environment in Texas and at least not have any income taxes. Frankly, I've never understood the reasons for living on Cali's B-side.

That's a good point. The weather here isn't that great, it gets almost cold enough to snow in the winter (but not quite, it snowed when I was in the third grade though) and over 100 on a regular basis in the summer (dry heat or not the heat is a biatch). If you want to live in a city that feels like a town and is conservative and religious why not move to a similar sized city in the south with less taxes?