Tucson vs. Bakersfield? (San Francisco, Riverside, San Luis Obispo: apartments, to rent, homes)

[PhysicianMD]

Pros and Cons?
Taxes
Cost of Living
Cultural activities

[tickyul]

They are both BROILING for much of the year. I doubt Bakersfield is as bad as Tucson, but pretty nasty none the less. Tucson roasts for about 6 months out of the year......Bakersfield....maybe 4.

[kttam186290]

Bakersfield is closer to L.A. (90 miles?) and all of the attractions of Southern California. Close to the Central Coast of California (Pismo, Morro, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, etc.) and a days drive up to the San Francisco Bay Area and everything up there. To the east, you've got Sequoia National Forest, Kings Canyon and Yosemite.

Bakersfield is very nice on the west side of the city around Cal State University off of Stockdale.

[Billy Millennium]

I can't really speak for Bakersfield as I don't know much about it; haven't spent any time there.

But Tucson is a pretty good sized city. You're in the desert but surrounded by mountains in all directions. The city is pretty easy to navigate but there's only 1 real freeway (I-10) through the city going North/South. So if you're going from the East to Westside you'd likely take a city street such as Speedway.

There are a lot of places to eat. I noticed a lot of local places too and small regional chains. A lot of good Mexican food to be found. Probably has everything you'd need shopping wise. The University of Arizona is there for big-time college sports. A lot of school pride there and the campus is beautiful. The community really supports the school. Some nightlife on 4th ave and a little in downtown. A few other nightlife spots scattered elsewhere in the city. A couple Indian Casinos near the airport. I noticed they have concerts there from time to time. You are about an hour and a half south of Phoenix. Pretty easy drive up I-10.

Cost of living is pretty reasonable. A lot of places to rent; whether apartments or homes. Most cultural activities would be through the University. Overall; I think it's a fairly decent place to live. But I'd consider the Phoenix area as well.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by PhysicianMD

Pros and Cons?
Taxes
Cost of Living
Cultural activities

I've lived in Tucson but not Bakersfield. Based on what I know and have read about both places:

Pros for Tucson:

--Climate: Warmer, sunnier winters and only slightly hotter summers than Bakersfield (with great thunderstorms & sunsets).

--Economy: Tucson's is probably slightly better. They are both low wage economies. I suspect the cost of housing, taxes, and overall COL is higher in Bakersfield, but wages probably aren't, unless you're talking minimum wage jobs.

--Cultural Activities: I suspect Tucson wins this one by a mile. They have a good university (comparable to a low end UC school like UC Riverside) with cool cultural happenings for a city its size.

--Outdoors: I think Tucson wins if you are talking about the immediate area....there's a lot to do and the scenery is great. I don't think the scenery/mountains around Bakersfield are anything to brag about. However, Bakersfield is near the coast and that is a big plus. So I think that gives the edge to Bakersfield

--I think Tucson also has a more educated population...one more plus for Tucson.

Overall, I think Tucson wins.

The thing I did hate about living there, though, is that people think their gravel or bare dirt front yards are the "natural desert". I get that you shouldn't plant grass in the desert, but I wish more people there would plant something, even if it's just cactus or a small tree native to the desert. I don't know how Bakersfield is in this regard, but I get the vibe that it's greener than Tucson.

[Bruce81]

Both cities are about the same size, Tucson may be a little larger. I know both cities very well, I would give the edge to Bakersfield. Summers are not as rough, it cools down at night, closer to L.A, the coast, national parks, while no matter how beautiful the desert is, it can get boring after a while. Tucson has a better university and the air is much better than Bakersfield. Plenty of jobs in the oil fields right now in Bakersfield, I am not sure if Tucson is going through rough times like Phoenix is. Overall both cities are good, but for a not so harsh summer and better surroundings Bakersfield wins IMO.