Help! (Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Redding: weekend getaway, jobs, crime)

[Southernbel]

I'm from Georgia, I've lived here all my life. I am now moving to Bakersfield, CA and I have no idea what i'm getting in to. I'm excited to move, but also worried. I'm leaving everyting I have ever known and starting over in a new place . I have some questions if someone could help me! First is the crime, and druges, and gangs really that bad??? I'm use to people being very nice from where i live, are the people there mean? Is it a faster pase then Atlanta Georga? Its hard to find a good job that pay's well where I am, is it the same in bakersfield?

I'd be thankfull for any information and help!!!!

[Zapparulez]

Why Bakersfield?? It's just a hole there. I suggest northern California...at least you get nice scenery. Bakersfield sucks in my opinion. Unless you like illegal immigrants and dirt farms.

[Zapparulez]

Originally Posted by Southernbel

I'm from Georgia, I've lived here all my life. I am now moving to Bakersfield, CA and I have no idea what i'm getting in to. I'm excited to move, but also worried. I'm leaving everyting I have ever known and starting over in a new place . I have some questions if someone could help me! First is the crime, and druges, and gangs really that bad??? I'm use to people being very nice from where i live, are the people there mean? Is it a faster pase then Atlanta Georga? Its hard to find a good job that pay's well where I am, is it the same in bakersfield?

I'd be thankfull for any information and help!!!!

Jobs depend on your occupation. Are you a farmer? From my experience, the pace of life there is slow until an immigration patrol comes by(which is hardly ever), then the pace quickens a bit.

[Zapparulez]

Sorry, I am a completely cynical when it comes to Central California. I've spent time there and I have found its something to be avoided. Why not check out Redding, CA...you'll find it more like where you come from...culture wise. Bakersfield might as well reside in Mexico. If you must have Southern California then look somewhere south of the Grapevine. As much as I despise all things from Los Angeles, it's still better than Bakersfield! lol Have you tried the San Marcos-Temecula area south of LA?

[rubyskye]

Originally Posted by Zapparulez

Why Bakersfield?? It's just a hole there. I suggest northern California...at least you get nice scenery. Bakersfield sucks in my opinion. Unless you like illegal immigrants and dirt farms.

Yes, i agree. I would leave that last not-so-nice comment out however.
Unless you have a specific reason to move there (like a job or relatioinship, etc.) why Bakersfield? Have you been there?
I'm partial to Northern CA as well. There are many towns that are laid back and very friendly and somewhat easy going and perhaps more like what you're used to in the south. And you may find happier (and therefor friendlier people, generally speaking) in northern California.
The weather will be different than the south but not as radically different as Bakersfield. The air will be cleaner (much!!!!) and there will be more natural beauty.
Unless you're committed to Bakersfield. you may want to do a little more searching/researching to find an area in California that will suit you best.
It's a very large and very diverse state in every way and you'll most likely be able to find a town that you can feel good about.
Making a huge move like that is a real challenge. Take it slow and easy.

[Caliguy2007]

I live near Bakersfield,and the Crime,Drugs and Gangs are not that bad and are mostly confined in the South and Southeast parts of town...Their are a lot of Nice and Safe Communities in Bakersfield so no need to worry

Most people in Bakersfield are friendly in my opinion,and Bakersfield is smaller and slower paced than Atlanta.

I'm not sure what type of jobs your looking for,but Bakersfield's Job Market is not as diversified as Atlanta.

If your into Hot-Dry Summers and Outdoor Activities then you'll definately enjoy living in Bakersfield....L.A is about about 2-3 hours and Vegas is about 5-6 hours away if your interested in weekend getaways.

Please have a look at this thread below.

Moving to Bakersfield, CA

Originally Posted by Southernbel

I'm from Georgia, I've lived here all my life. I am now moving to Bakersfield, CA and I have no idea what i'm getting in to. I'm excited to move, but also worried. I'm leaving everyting I have ever known and starting over in a new place . I have some questions if someone could help me! First is the crime, and druges, and gangs really that bad??? I'm use to people being very nice from where i live, are the people there mean? Is it a faster pase then Atlanta Georga? Its hard to find a good job that pay's well where I am, is it the same in bakersfield?

I'd be thankfull for any information and help!!!!

[Zapparulez]

Originally Posted by rubyskye

Yes, i agree. I would leave that last not-so-nice comment out however.
Unless you have a specific reason to move there (like a job or relatioinship, etc.) why Bakersfield? Have you been there?
I'm partial to Northern CA as well. There are many towns that are laid back and very friendly and somewhat easy going and perhaps more like what you're used to in the south. And you may find happier (and therefor friendlier people, generally speaking) in northern California.
The weather will be different than the south but not as radically different as Bakersfield. The air will be cleaner (much!!!!) and there will be more natural beauty.
Unless you're committed to Bakersfield. you may want to do a little more searching/researching to find an area in California that will suit you best.
It's a very large and very diverse state in every way and you'll most likely be able to find a town that you can feel good about.
Making a huge move like that is a real challenge. Take it slow and easy.

You don't think there isn't a large illegal immigrant population in and around Bakersfield? Nothing wrong with that statement...although I can see how dirt farming can be offensive to those who live there. So I apologize for the dirt farming, but I stand tall on my assertion of large numbers of illegal immigrants residing in and around that large dirt farm, err town.

[Roaddog]

Originally Posted by Southernbel

I'm from Georgia, I've lived here all my life. I am now moving to Bakersfield, CA and I have no idea what i'm getting in to. I'm excited to move, but also worried. I'm leaving everyting I have ever known and starting over in a new place . I have some questions if someone could help me! First is the crime, and druges, and gangs really that bad??? I'm use to people being very nice from where i live, are the people there mean? Is it a faster pase then Atlanta Georga? Its hard to find a good job that pay's well where I am, is it the same in bakersfield?

I'd be thankfull for any information and help!!!!

Don't be scared by the negitive comments, Bakersfield is a good place to live, like anywhere else there are bad parts of town but many more good parts, the people are friendly, I've lived here a long time and never ran into gangs or had a crime committed agians't me other than my car was broke into one time. Bakersfiekd is slow paced and you won't have a problem

[FresnoFacts]

One thing to do is to also check the information here at city-data.com.

For example, at the Bakersfield page, city-data gives Bakersfield a crime index of 432.6 in the year 2006. The national average was 323.2. So a little higher than the US average for crime.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Bakers...alifornia.html

I don't know where in Georgia you are from but you mentioned Atlanta. It had a crime index of 793, much higher than Bakersfield.

You can look at your own city by picking it from this list
http://www.city-data.com/city/Georgia.html

[PecanPie]

Can I trade you? I visited Atlanta and loved it -- but I guess if work is hard to find, it makes sense to want to move.

I don't know a lot about Bakersfield, but I really don't picture it as a bustling job market. I'd spend some time researching some other places in CA, if you are set on coming here.