Is Bakersfield that bad? (Sacramento, Corona: agriculture, apartments, travel)

[ymbk]

"Cheap" and "California" cannot co-exist in the same sentence. Neither can the words "short commute" and "reasonably priced."

But you didn't ask that, you asked if Bakersfield is "that bad". it is hot. No, make that **** hot. It is still heavily based on ag and fuel industries. It is not chic or trendy. But, no, it's not "that bad". There are far, far worse places to live in CA in terms of cost, crime, etc. I can't think of a lot to recommend it, but I also can't think of any real reason to shun it. I guess every state has a town that gets a rep for being Hicksville, and for CA, Bakersfield seems to be it.

But unless you already have a job or family there...why Bakersfield?

[jay20]

I have lived in Bakersfield for the last 15 years. I think at one time in was a decent place to live but now it’s not that great. Everything that was once good about Bakersfield is now non-existent.

- Bakersfield has horrendous air quality. Bakersfield is ranked 3rd in the nation for bad air quality.

- Traffic is bad and getting worse every year especially if you have to travel on Rosedale Hwy. We need a cross town Freeway.

- Bakersfield used to be very affordable place to live. Now housing is expensive. A 1200sqft house can cost over $300,000.

- The crime is getting worse. The crime index in 2000 was 280 but in 2003 it went up to 444.

[bobizzy3]

I lived there for twenty years, and have to visit frequently,,

You asked " Is Bakersfield that bad"

answer; IT IS WORSE ! Imagine the worst place you can think of,, now spell it B A K E R S F I E L D !

[jay20]

I agree with everythng bobizzy3 said and I think Bakersfield gets worse every year. I dont know of any good reasons why someone would want to move here.

[johnlvs2run]

Originally Posted by BeenAroundTheBlock

Where else can you buy a home in CA in the 300k price range that isn't a dump? Probably comes with a pool too.

Santa Maria.

The average high in the summer is 75 degrees.

This summer, when everyone else was suffering from high temps, the high here was 87 degrees.

I never use a/c, as it stays cool enough in the house, and the winters are also quite mild.

[DeserTBoB]

Previous poster offered the choice between Bakersfield and Santa Maria. The choice is Santa Maria, hands down...less toxic air, less heat, less Okies, less illegals, less...Bakersfield! Just stay away from Casmalia...they have some toxic waste dump problems in the ground water there.

I had to work in Bakersfield for awhile. As Bette Davis would say, "WHAT....a DUMP!" The only worse experience I had was Stockton. Now THERE'S a dump! Fresno's another dump, and a big one. For quality of life, stay OUT of the San Joaquin Valley, period. Weather wise, the high desert's better in summer...drier, can use a swamp cooler. But, that's quickly turning into a planned "superghetto," so that's out, too.

I long for the days when I had a nice little house in Thousand Oaks. Those were the days, my friend.

[golompico]

I met a girl many years ago who was about 18. She had one of the strongest southern accents I had ever heard. I asked her what part of the south she was from and she replied, "Ah was bern n raised in Bykersfeeeeeld."

[Roaddog]

Thats funny because most people in Bakersfield feel the same way about anywhere south of Kern county

[Caliguy2007]

Bakersfield may have problems,but it isn't that bad to live in...Their are other places in CA and in other parts of the Country that are worst.

[Dedalus]

I used to travel there a lot on business. This was like 15 years ago, though.

I liked the people just fine. But the place...the wind blows one way, you smell high sulfur petroleum, the other way, manure. It may have changed a great deal since I was last there.

One of the posters in this thread included Modesto in a list of towns he'd rather move out of CA than live in. I couldn't disagree more. Modesto is a lovely little city, real old time 'east west home is best welcome stranger' California. Again, this is based on 15 year old experience.