Fresno Vs. Bakersfield (San Diego, Long Beach, Sacramento: job market, school, universities)

[futuredocJ]

I'm a city boy from Chicago but I'm currently trapped in Greenville, South Carolina. Ideally I want to move to L.A. to go to school (Cal State LA or UCLA) but it's too expensive as an out-of-state resident so I was going to move to a cheaper part of Cali (ie. Fresno or Bakersfield), and live for atleast a yr that way I can qualify for in-state-residency and move to L.A. later. I'm 20 yrs old and dont want to be bored out of my mind for the year so I was wondering if you guys could tell me which city between Bakersfield or Fresno would be better for me (ie. jobs, cheaper cost of living, better nightlife, more things to do, places to go)....and my mind is also open to other inexpensive California cities. Thanks.

[FresnoFacts]

Understand that anywhere in California will be tough for jobs right now, even low pay jobs. Most companies see large numbers of people applying for any job openings.

My thought also is that you will find the inland areas of California similiar to a city like Greenville in terms of size, activities, etc. So be warned if you already struggle with life there.

With that said my first suggestion is that you also consider Sacramento. It is probably the most "urban" feeling of the inland cities, although it is no where near Chicago in feel.

Now out of Fresno and Bakersfield I would probably suggest Fresno.

Both have pros and cons, but I feel Bakersfield is probably more of a family orientation than Fresno. So that might be even tougher on a single person.

[FresnoFacts]

Oh also be aware that both the Cal State Universities and the University of California campuses are cutting admissions over the next 2 years.

The CSU system is going to admit about 10% fewer students the next 2 years and the UC system will also see cuts.

[futuredocJ]

'Preciate it. And yeah, right after I posted this I looked and saw that posting about the Cal State budget cuts, thats horrible. I really wanted to go there for their kinesiology program but I don't want to move out there just to find out that I cant get into the school of my choice when I want to and be stuck.

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by futuredocJ

'Preciate it. And yeah, right after I posted this I looked and saw that posting about the Cal State budget cuts, thats horrible. I really wanted to go there for their kinesiology program but I don't want to move out there just to find out that I cant get into the school of my choice when I want to and be stuck.

Kinesiology can be a tough major to get into at some campuses any time, even before these cuts.

Fresno State has that major and it has been an impacted program for years (meaning they have more applicants than openings and use tougher admission standards).

Kinesiology programs are also in impacted status at Long Beach State, San Diego State, and Cal Poly SLO.

[City Boy]

There's a new college they opened in Modesto a couple years ago, Cal State Modesto? I would look into that if you must be in the central valley, at least it's not TOO far from the bay area since you're into night life. Sacramento would be more expensive.

[nmnita]

I don't want to be the one to discourage you, I think I do that too much sometimes, I forget what is was like to be young and have dreams, that being said, You are in for a huge cultural shock if you move to either Bakersfield or Fresno. Yes the job market is bad and yes, the school admin isn't too good, but if you know all this ahead of time, have several thousand $$s saved and still want to go to CA, I would go to Fresno. Don't ask me why, neither town is jumping..

Nita

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by City Boy

There's a new college they opened in Modesto a couple years ago, Cal State Modesto? I would look into that if you must be in the central valley, at least it's not TOO far from the bay area since you're into night life. Sacramento would be more expensive.

Aren't you thinking about UC Merced? UC Merced

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Aren't you thinking about UC Merced? UC Merced

Yes thanks. Boy I was way off lol

[FresnoFacts]

UC Merced is a good school but most of the students at UC Merced find it even more slow-paced than Sacramento, Fresno, or Bakersfield.

The Merced campus sits several miles out of town and Merced is a small city that has not become a college town yet. So there is little even in town designed to appeal to students yet.