Central Valley (Fresno, Merced, Lemoore: rental car, rental, hotel)

[rkb0305]

It doesn't look like to OP has been back to check on the post. Since they said they are used to paying high prices, I'd suggest the Bay Area over the Valley.

[coast77]

Originally Posted by ghost123

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I am a bit disappointed. I am from a large city back on the east side of the country. Number one, I am in culture shock. Number two, there are ghetto parts all over Lemoore but they are building-so I am confused whether this town is going to get better or worse. Number three, the local high school is not a good place for little ones to be around. These kids tend to be ghetto and I worry what this place is going to be like in the next 5 years when these kids have graduated and are running this town. Even though the naval base is here, I still do not think the natives of this town are used to, or appreciate newcomers to this town. People aren't overly friendly here. It is a very old town with very old school people... I don't feel comfortable living here. Sorry!

I agree ever since we moved here it was our biggest regret. The schools are horrible and my kids grades went down. The city doesn't like outsiders, the town doesn't want to grow knowing that business bring in revenue for the city but they are to worried that it will get to big and bring crime like fresno, cops suck here don't do their job trust me one lives down the street from us. If you get your car broken into they won't do a dam thing. Lemoore does look like the ghetto Clovis has more people and does not look like the ghetto that puts lemoore to shame. Don't bother renting from lemoore real estate they will take you to the bank and more. Soon as we get enough money we are out of here. Thank God we did't buy.

[Bluesbabe]

If you can afford the high prices of the Bay Area like I saw suggested here, go right on ahead. But what you'd save by living in the valley would allow you more money for your home AND spend a weekend in the Bay Area whenever you'd like.

I like Humboldtrat's suggestions the best. I do like Merced a lot, although I would suggest that you check it out first. The small towns closer to I-5, like Los Banos, are very windy, but I highly doubt that you would like it around there, anyway. Merced is a lot more shielded from the winds, it's close to Yosemite and Chuckchansi, and is a good mid-point between northern and southern California.

Good or bad air quality, it still has BLUE skies, something I miss a great deal during the springtimes where I live. San Joaquin Valley has the greatest springs you can find.

[17271]

The Central Valley is probably one of the worst areas in the state of California. Flat, boring, ghetto, etc, for the most part. Do you really have to move to the Central Valley? I don't want you to move some where you won't be happy there. The far Northern part of California is nicer. In fact, from what I've experienced, anywhere outside of the Central Valley is pretty better overall.

[phloxy]

I think I'm going to feel like a queen in her kingdom in the Central Valley with Yosemite/mountain wilderness so close and my friends in the Bay area close as well. I love hot weather, and I'm looking forward to making new friends and becoming part of my community after I arrive in just a few weeks! Then again, I'm fleeing the cold gray seasons of upstate NY, so it probably wouldn't take much to make me happy, LOL.

[ghost123]

Originally Posted by coast77

I agree ever since we moved here it was our biggest regret. The schools are horrible and my kids grades went down. The city doesn't like outsiders, the town doesn't want to grow knowing that business bring in revenue for the city but they are to worried that it will get to big and bring crime like fresno, cops suck here don't do their job trust me one lives down the street from us. If you get your car broken into they won't do a dam thing. Lemoore does look like the ghetto Clovis has more people and does not look like the ghetto that puts lemoore to shame. Don't bother renting from lemoore real estate they will take you to the bank and more. Soon as we get enough money we are out of here. Thank God we did't buy.

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You said it sister! (or brother..whichever..) I am soo glad that we are just renting here too. And as soon as WE save enough money too, we are moving out of here-down towards the central coast. At least the people there are a little more friendlier and the towns are more civilized..
..and not to mention your choice of beautiful beaches.

[ghost123]

Originally Posted by 17271

The Central Valley is probably one of the worst areas in the state of California. Flat, boring, ghetto, etc, for the most part. Do you really have to move to the Central Valley? I don't want you to move some where you won't be happy there. The far Northern part of California is nicer. In fact, from what I've experienced, anywhere outside of the Central Valley is pretty better overall.

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Also, some more suggestions for this person wanting to move to CA. I would suggest checking out the central towns that are located closer to the coast. Try checking out SLO county. Honestly, San Luis Obispo is gorgeous. That area is wayyy better than the valley.

[Franklyn]

Originally Posted by coast77

I agree ever since we moved here it was our biggest regret. ........ Thank God we did't buy.

Thanks for the feedback, coast 77. Surprises me a little because I've spent some time there and the folks I met didn't seem as parochial as the ones you mention.

The Central Valley is huge, though, and has many nice communities - some with good AQI's, too. Look at Camp Nelson, Three Rivers, Auberry, Coarsegold and Sonora, for instance.

SLO is also nice, as is Monterey County and northern Santa Barbara County.

Keep posting here with your updates as you look for - and find - the spot where you feel "home".

[Franklyn]

Originally Posted by ghost123

..... as soon as WE save enough money too, we are moving out of here-down towards the central coast. ...........and not to mention your choice of beautiful beaches.

Well the weather is a little better, too, if you like room temperature year round that is. But housing and living costs are slightly higher the closer one moves to the Pacific.

By the way, how bad was the tule fog this year? I haven't heard any comments about it.

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by Franklyn

Thanks for the feedback, coast 77. Surprises me a little because I've spent some time there and the folks I met didn't seem as parochial as the ones you mention.

If the poster is in Lemoore, it can be a bit parochial. I don't know if it is the relative isolation of the Lemoore or something of a townie/military thing like college towns with town/gown splits or something else.

Some of the foothill communities can be parochial too (some of them don't take well to big city outsiders), so maybe its being further away from other areas?

Originally Posted by Franklyn

By the way, how bad was the tule fog this year? I haven't heard any comments about it.

The fog season has been light for the last 2 months. According to the National Weather Service records for Fresno:
November 2008 6 dense fog days vs the average of 5
December 2008 13 dense fog days vs the average of 11
January 2009 6 dense fog days vs average of 12
February 2009 1 dense fog day vs average of 5