Would you recommend Bakersfield for a recent college grad? (San Jose: job market, living)

[Grass4]

Right now I live in New York, work in NYC, and I hate it.

I'm looking for a place that's

1. Warm
2. Low cost of living
3. Decent amount of people my age (22)

Would you say that Bakersfield matches this criteria?

Thanks.

[rubyskye]

Originally Posted by Grass4

Right now I live in New York, work in NYC, and I hate it.

I'm looking for a place that's

1. Warm
2. Low cost of living
3. Decent amount of people my age (22)

Would you say that Bakersfield matches this criteria?

Thanks.

No i would not recommend Bakersfield.
Why Bakersfield?
There are other communities in California that may suit you much better.
Low cost of living is a challenge along most of the coast .... until you get quite a bit north of San Francisco but it's doable.
If you're coming from NYC and end up in Bakersfield ... hmmmm ... visit first.

[stone-ground]

What Rubyskye said.

[MtnSurfer]

As a recent college grad I would not place low cost of living high on my list if moving to CA. You can always live lean while starting out in a more pricey area. There are many young professionals where I am from: the South Bay(Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo, Torrance). And they have a lot of opportunities in starting new careers. Their secret to living near the Beach and frugality = roomates.

IMO it is better to build your career and experience in an area with a lot of job opportunities for new grads. And there are many more young professionals in these areas for the same reason. So I would recommend SF, San Jose, SD, OC and maybe LA if you can stand the traffic. Get solid experience under your belt and on your resume. Then live where ever you want.

I not saying you couldn't take the road less traveled. But even if you avoided these major economic centers Bakersfield wouldn't necessarily be a first choice. However some do love it there. So visit first and you will be in a lot better place to make such a decision.

[TimC2462]

Originally Posted by Grass4

Right now I live in New York, work in NYC, and I hate it.

I'm looking for a place that's

1. Warm
2. Low cost of living
3. Decent amount of people my age (22)

Would you say that Bakersfield matches this criteria?

Thanks.

1. Warm. Check.

2. Low cost of living. Check.

3. Decent amount of people your age. Check.

But you need to do more research. Those three criteria alone aren't good enough reasons to relocate to anywhere, IMO. There's a question of job market for your occupation, certain lifestyle, etc. Keep asking more questions. You may find that Bakersfield might be the best match for you... or not.

Tim C.

[rubyskye]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

As a recent college grad I would not place low cost of living high on my list if moving to CA. You can always live lean while starting out in a more pricey area. There are many young professionals where I am from: the South Bay(Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo, Torrance). And they have a lot of opportunities in starting new careers. Their secret to living near the Beach and frugality = roomates.

IMO it is better to build your career and experience in an area with a lot of job opportunities for new grads. And there are many more young professionals in these areas for the same reason. So I would recommend SF, San Jose, SD, OC and maybe LA if you can stand the traffic. Get solid experience under your belt and on your resume. Then live where ever you want.

I not saying you couldn't take the road less traveled. But even if you avoided these major economic centers Bakersfield wouldn't necessarily be a first choice. However some do love it there. So visit first and you will be in a lot better place to make such a decision.

This is good advice from MtnSurfer OP.
I live in Santa Cruz for example. It is very expensive but UCSC is here and there are many college students and graduates that live and work in the area and do it by living lean and having roomates.
It's a vital area and though it's not a big city there is enough urban-ness to suit one who may need a bit of that.
San Francisco is just to the north.
When you say "warm" ... well, define that. You will not experience anything like a northeast winter in California.
Even if you're in the Sierra mountains, it will not be that bone-chilling damp cold of the northeast winters.
Central and northern California on the coast are warm and pleasant in the summers with more and less fog depending on where you are.
The winters are rainy and cool but there are long stretches of days when it's sunny and warm (upper 50's - low to mid 60's and sometimes even warmer) and you can walk on the beach in a t-shirt or light jacket ... at least that's what it's like here on the Monterey Bay.
San Jose, which is just over the hill from Santa Cruz, isn't my favorite place but it may suit you.
You may feel very isolated in Bakersfield and the summers and hot, hot, hot and the air quality is not good.
California is a huge and diverse state and if you're drawn here, i imagine you can find a community that really suits you but do alot of research and/or come out and visit and really see and feel it for yourself.
There are many vital and beautiful areas of California. Don't settle for less if you don't have to.
Unless a relationship or job are requiring you to go to Bakersfield, i'd reconsider.
But then again, who knows? ... it may be just the place for you ... maybe ... hard to imagine but people do live there and are glad to be there.
I don't mean to trash Bakersfield.

[FresnoFacts]

Bakersfield is a young city, the median age is 30.

But it is also a city that leans toward family life not single life.

[Roaddog]

Originally Posted by TimC2462

1. Warm. Check.

2. Low cost of living. Check.

3. Decent amount of people your age. Check.

But you need to do more research. Those three criteria alone aren't good enough reasons to relocate to anywhere, IMO. There's a question of job market for your occupation, certain lifestyle, etc. Keep asking more questions. You may find that Bakersfield might be the best match for you... or not.

Tim C.

I'm from bakersfield and i would agree with this poster. what are your job plans?

[eureka1]

Bakersfield isn't warm, it's hotter than hell and basically an overgrown cowtown. If you're into Buck Owens and pickup trucks, you'll like Bakersfield. There are a thousand places in California that have more to offer.

[Roaddog]

Originally Posted by eureka1

Bakersfield isn't warm, it's hotter than hell and basically an overgrown cowtown. If you're into Buck Owens and pickup trucks, you'll like Bakersfield. There are a thousand places in California that have more to offer.

i wouldn't go that far sinse you don't know jack about Bakersfield