Moving to Bakersfield, CA

[tangodoodles]

Also, I forgot to mention, if you live in these neighborhoods you don't need to worry about crime. I have lived here my entire life, have never been the victim of a crime, and have never felt unsafe even when I go to Union Avenue to eat at Great Castle (best Chinese restaurant in town!). The crime statistics are rising but statistics can be misleading. Yes there are gangs but a normal, upstanding individual would be unlikely to ever cross paths with a gang. So don't worry when people tell you that crime is horrible, it really isn't and we have a huge police force and the conservative attitudes (a pro for some, a con for others) ensures that most people who commit crimes are given harsher than average sentences than in some other places. Just be smart, don't walk on Union Avenue by yourself at night. There are certain places in the southeast that you couldn't pay me to drive through but most murders involve gangsters shooting and killing other gangsters, my mom is a judge and my dad is a lawyer, believe me, I know that criminal landscape of this city. But with a place like Bakersfield, a car is an absolute necessity so there would really not be any reason for you to walk by yourself at night anyway. It's not like New York or San Francisco, Bakersfield is not a walkable town and, as such, you won't really have to worry about it.

[Caliguy2007]

Bakersfield does have established neighborhoods,good schools,parks,sidewalks,shopping,dining,pharmacies ,movie theaters,etc within distance from eachother.

The Mountains,Beaches and Deserts are about 2-3 Hours away...(2-3 Hours to L.A)....(4-5 Hours to San Diego)...(5-6 Hours to Vegas)...(5-6 Hours to San Francisco),and this list doesn't include the cute coastal towns...There really is so much things to See and Do out here in California,and that's why I love living here.

We do have poor air quality in the valley,but I only consider it a serious issue for those with a sensitive respiratory system or when we get smoke and ashes drifting in from Wildfires in Southern CA,or if your gonna be outside inhaling the air 24/7...Other than that I don't think you'll be gasping for air here....The Summers here can also get very Hot,but the humidity is usually low which makes it bearable.

I also wanted to include some interesting info about Bakersfield and Kern County.

Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau ~ Your Online Resource to Bakersfield California

Discover Kern County: Home

Official Municipal Website, City of Bakersfield, California

Rabobank Arena Theater & Convention Center

BakersfieldAmphitheatre.us - bright house Networks Amphitheatre

Bakersfield Ice Sports (broken link)

Recreation & Parks Department

Originally Posted by pawsinten

Well thanks a lot. I said in my link my husband already has the job. We had to move from Tennessee for work. Having said that I asked for advice on different areas not whether to make the move or not. We have lived in 3 continents and basically we make the most of wherever we live. Sure there is good and bad everywhere. But where we live now is a dry county, no pharmacy open on weekends within 45 min drive, no restaurants where you can buy alcohol with 4o min drive, no sidewalks, no parks for the kids, no movie within 40 min drive, walmart is 40 min away. I'm kinda looking forward to having everything close by. WHat kind of entertainment are you looking for? We love being at home and love going away on weekends - both seem to be available in Bakersfield!!! We had to travel 13 hours to get to the snow last year - we are looking forward to a shorter commute this year. And the Beach is 8-9 hours away if the roads are clear. We have tobacco farms here and at certain times of the year when they burn off the air quality is also bad so we figure Bakersfield can't be much worse! Yes we are concerned about the schooling system but understand theat we do have choices.

[tangodoodles]

Oh, Caliguy mentioned the beaches. I would like to add that the Ventura/Santa Barbara/Oxnard area is just about an hour and forty-five minutes away, if that. My parents own a beach house in Oxnard and we drive down there almost every weekend. It's an easy drive because you drive down the 99 (or I think it's called the I-5 after a certain point) and it has about four lanes each way so it's a very easy drive, you can basically go 70-80 mph the entire way. The CHP won't pull you over unless you're doing 90 or above, they're usually looking out for people who are going 100.

[prettyred]

Eric N,
I agree with you everywhere I plug in a city for California on this site...the people are very negative. I currently reside in the Palm Beaches of Florida. It's nice here, but its not enough for me and I can't wait to leave here. I grew up in Miami and routinely leave Florida and come back every three years (because family is here). But I want to move to California very soon ... at least in the next 3 months if not sooner. But I must admit the job market is a issue for me. When I read postings on city-data.com it honestly terrifies me about moving out there.

I just wonder if people are just miserable. I do make the best of any place I am living because if I don't I'll lose it. After all is just beginning for me... so please do anybody have anything nice to say about California and the cities ? There's too much about life to enjoy other than complaining all the time. No disrespect to anyone, but if you were to ask me about Florida there's a lot I could be negative about. But I'll mention the good things with very minimal bad things because honestly it's bad all over. My next move will be out of the country... if California doesn't work out.

[Mr. Lake]

We live in the Sequoia forest, just an hour from Bakersfield. Beautiful scenery, lakes, rivers, hiking, hunting, fishing... We shop in Bakersfield, and our medical plan is there. True, the Bakersfield population is getting a lot rougher. You can see it at the older Walmart, for example. But we have never had a problem. Not yet. Still, there are very fine parts of town to live in. As for the schools, don't know.

-----------

[dwink]

Originally Posted by pawsinten

My husband has a new job in Bakersfield and we will need to relocate from a little rural town just outside of Nashville Tennessee ove the summer. I have two children ages 9 and 10. My question is that I am looking at two neighborhoods 1. Haggin Oaks and 2, Brimhall estates. Based on value for money, schools, resale, family life which neighborhood would be better and why? We chose these neighborhoods beause they seem to be more established. Not overly keen on new developments with construction all the time and a surprise being built next door! I was surprised at the large class sizes (up to 33 students in 4,5 and 6th grades) Is that an issue? Your comments are very welcome

Pawsinten

Hi Pawsinten,

I am curious to see how you are enjoying Bakersfield now?

My family is considering a relocation offer to move there from Maine (pretty rural also), we have 2 young daughters and would be looking at similar neighborhoods.

[pawsinten]

Dwink


We have been in Bakersfield for 4 weeks now and love it. We love the weather. We have joined 7 oaks Country club and enjoy the water aerobics, tennis, swimming lessons and family events there. 4th July evening was fab with rock climbing, water games, tug of war, water melon eating contests, good food and wonderful music and massive fireworks display. We even did the drive -in movies in golf carts at the club. I love the fact that every thing I need is only 5 minutes away. My kids did a camp at Color Me Mine pottery shop located at Market place. Rollerama rollerblading is 5 mins away and they offer lessons as well. I have a boy who loves the skateboard area there as well.

Mall shopping is disappointing but we made a trip to Valencia which is worth it. Other shopping is great up at Rosedale Hwy and Stockdale Hwy.

We love the Riverwalk bike trail and can ride there from our temporary apartment. This area will be fantastic when finished.

We have finally finished our house hunting and ended up buying in Brighton estates - it is such a central location to both Ming Ave and Rosedale area. We will be able to ride to Riverwalk and walk to restaurants there. I was concerned about the schoold districts but with kids going into 4th and 6th I have come to ralise that with my input they will be fine. You will need a pool - we ended up buying a place without a pool but have already contacted pool builders and will put one in straight away. (Aparently can be done in 3-4 weeks).

Even made a day trip up to Kings Canyon to see the big trees and the tunnel tree - quiet spectacular.

I have been more active here than rural Tennessee and looking forward to moving into our house and getting settled. We are staying temporarily at Edgewater apartments. Although the apartments are a little tired the setting is great - 2 lovely pools and a very central location. We have a two bed two bath apartment and asked for a rollaway bed so the kids didn't have to share the double bed.

So far so good for us.

[Caliguy2007]

Hi pawsinten,i'm glad you and your family are enjoying Bakersfield and yup their really is so much outdoor activities to enjoy here in California.