Fresno vs. Sacramento (Bakersfield, Redding, Chico: foreclosure, crime rate, house)

[pistola916]

Which Central Valley city is better? Jobs, Culture, etc.

[bigdave01]

Definitely Sacramento. It is a bigger city, and has a decent downtown/midtown area.

[FresnoFacts]

There are pros and cons to both cities. I'd want more info about your individual needs and preferences, what types of jobs? what type of cultural activities? What are your interests?

Sacramento is larger which also means more things to do but also more spread out.

Within the city limits proper, Fresno has a lower crime rate than Sacramento.

Fresno has not seen the same housing crisis problems as Sacramento. There is a higher foreclosure rate in Sacramento.

Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate than Fresno. On the other hand Sacramento is also more reliant on state spending which may drop due to the budget problems possibly causing problems in Sac over the next couple of years.

[Kibbiekat]

Sacramento. It has more "big city" type things to do, summers aren't as hot as Fresno. Air pollution is not as bad as Fresno. Traffic is worse, though.

[MichaelinWA]

They're pretty close, though (Fresno vs. Sacramento). Both uncomfortably warm in the summer..

Originally Posted by rkb0305

summers aren't as hot as Fresno.

[18Montclair]

No offense to Fresno,
But I definitely recommend Sacramento by a big wide margin.

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

No offense to Fresno,
But I definitely recommend Sacramento by a big wide margin.

Still is going to depend upon what the original poster is looking for.

For example you can find more jobs in some manufacturing industries (food processing, glass manufacturing, water handling, etc) around Fresno than around Sacramento.

If someone is a musician, the new Cabo Wabo in Fresno is currently looking for house band musicians. That means getting to play for Sammy Hagar when he visits.

Ruth's Chris Steak is also opening in Fresno this summer. I guess the upscale chains see a market here.

[the city]

Fresno is a bigger city. It's going to be at 500,000 population in 2010 and will be considered urban.

Fresno has better jobs.
Sacramento has worse traffic.
Fresno has hotter weather.
Sacramento has cooler weather
Fresno has more things to do.
Sacramento has less things to do for fun
Fresno doesn't have as much upscale shopping.
Sacramento has more upscale shopping.

And Sacramento is in the Sacramento Valley, not the central valley.

[pistola916]

No Sacramento is in the Sac Valley and Fresno in San Joaquin Valley...The central valley is from Chico down to Bakersfield

[pistola916]

Originally Posted by the city

Fresno is a bigger city. It's going to be at 500,000 population in 2010 and will be considered urban.

Fresno has better jobs.
Sacramento has worse traffic.
Fresno has hotter weather.
Sacramento has cooler weather
Fresno has more things to do.
Sacramento has less things to do for fun
Fresno doesn't have as much upscale shopping.
Sacramento has more upscale shopping.

And Sacramento is in the Sacramento Valley, not the central valley.

No Sac is in the Sac Valley and Fresno in San Joaquin Valley.. the Central Valley is from Redding to Bakersfield.

I find it hard to believe Fresno has more things to do than Sac. Sac has a better skyline, has a river running through downtown, decent nightlife and art scene, an NBA team not college, decent mass tran (bus and light rail and soon a streetcar system), and construction will start on a new terminal at Sac Intl Airport.

Here are some photos by Innov8
Sacramento - all night - SkyscraperPage Forum

And here is the planned expansion. Construction starts in August.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) - SkyscraperPage Forum