It's not the worst city, but its flaws are bad - 8/13/2021

I'm not gonna say this city is terrible, but it certainly has many issues that need to be taken care of and unfortunately the city council has done a poor job keeping up the place. Fresno is nice if you work in the bay area and can't afford the average million dollar townhomes. Fresno certainly has some nice homes, but it really depends on what part of the city you live in. Northern Fresno has a nice vibe where you can find nice homes and be welcomed by the community. I'm from northern Fresno, so I can say that it is a nice place to settle down and raise a family. Unfortunately, anywhere south of Gettysburg Ave. is horrible. Crime rate is extremely high for both violent and property. The city has TONS of gangs and they will shoot you if they do not like what you wear. I haven't even mentioned the homeless problem, anywhere you go in southern Fresno or downtown, you will find homeless people everywhere. Don't ever speak to them if you are alone because they can be dangerous. Like most Californian cities, Fresno has to deal with heavy amounts of nasty smog at least 200 days every year. The air quality index is often above 60, which means the air isn't good. I'd also like to mention that the city has to deal with smoke almost every year from August to October. Many nearby fires bring tons of smoke and since the central valley is a bowl, all the smoke gets trapped in Fresno and everyone is encouraged to stay indoors. When it comes to cleanliness, Fresno is ranked amongst the dirtiest cities in the US. Our water is pretty gross and pollution is a real hazard most of the year. If you like snow, you have to drive at least an hour up into the mountains to see it. If you like rain, well this city isn't for you because Fresno only receives 5-8 inches of rain per year and maybe 9-10 inches in an el Niño year. All summer long, the temperatures are always in the triple digits or high nineties. One last thing, the city is super boring, there's almost nothing to do at all for fun and you have to drive at least 2 hours to see anything exciting. But aside all those negatives, Fresno is pretty nice if you just want to raise a family. I'd usually suggest just avoid living in Fresno and move elsewhere, but if you can handle these negatives I mentioned, maybe Fresno is the place for you. Just be sure to stay out of downtown if you can.

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Just Leave this Trash Heap of a City! - 1/25/2021

I've lived in Fresno my entire life and when I became an adult, I began to realize how much being a resident here really sucks, it might be cheaper than most other cities in the state, but it's still expensive. The homeless population is a huge problem and it makes the city look like crap. Also, over half the days of the year are filled with terrible smog and smoke. September might be the worst month for air quality. My lungs were in severe pain from just walking outside in the smoke, and I don't even have Asthma. If you're looking for suggestions to move here, here's my answer, "Don't!" This city is trash and you should consider just not living in California at all.

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If you move here or are planning to, this isn't it - 1/21/2021

Lived here since 2002. I may be flamed for this, but.. total dump and I would rate 0 stars if I could. You only really move here to move out. As good as a gas stop. God awful unbreathable air and the heat in spring to summer kills. NOTHING. TO. DO. It's a very poor agricultural city which most likely contributes to it. All the things Fresno could offer I did or seen as a kid, so why would I bother doing it all over again when it's just a waste of money and time? Most of the time, it seems like jobs here aren't ideal. Also, a lot of stores here lack a lot of things, even before COVID-19 happened, so it's better to shop online or drive pretty far out just to find what you're looking for usually. Not to mention the, **shock**, "things to do" in Fresno can be found anywhere else in CA and be like.. 100x better. Crime, crime, and more crime. Every day on the Fresno news, I read there's been a shooting there, a shooting here. People killed. Why would I want go out knowing crime is almost everywhere here? Poverty & homeless people roaming everywhere. Classic Fresno. This wasteland isn't too bad of a drive to more popular spots, but to be here only to get away from it is the only good thing about it, lol. Now that it's beginning to become more crowded with people from the larger, expensive areas (LA, SF, etc), it'll become even more ridiculously expensive. Many businesses will open and take their leave, despite COVID-19. Every block you turn, there's a chain restaurant because of it. I've seen everyone and their mom defend this "great" city, & while I respect people's opinions, I personally don't see what there is to defend & no matter how I look at it, I stand my position. Sorry, not sorry. :-/ C'mon now, Fresno.. Overall, this place is an unattractive, trashy ghetto waste filled with gang members, drug addicts, and sex-obsessed freaks. This joke of an area could've had potential, but it doesn't look like it's been cared for in the last few decades or so. Trust me when I say it'd be wise to look elsewhere or else you'll be soorrryyyy!! There's a reason there's fresNO in the name. Unless if you're like me and you have a genuinely understandable reason or two, no one willingly moves to Fresno. XD

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Why would anyone move to Fresno Ca. - 5/1/2020

Fresno is worse than some 3rd world countries. If you like bad roads, poor police response, homeless people, and graffiti then by all means move to Fresno. We boast of only having fewer than 10,000 gang members, about 25% of the population is illegal and if you don't speak Spanish you are at a major disadvantage.

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Best value for big city in CA - 4/2/2019

I've lived here for 10 years and seen it change for the better. 10 years ago it was known for high crime. Now, if you look at the stats, Fresno IS SAFER than Sacramento, SF, LA, Oakland, and other big cities in CA. There is more and sometimes significantly more violent crime and killings going on in those cities now. So whatever the Fresno PD has done in the last 10 years is working. Fresno is still a work in progress but a lot has improved. Fresno is the 5th biggest city in the state of CA. It's bigger than Sacramento when it comes to population. It has great higher education options in Fresno State and Fresno Pacific. It also has UCSF Medical here for those looking to be a doctor. It is the closest major city to Yosemite and other of the beautiful national parks in CA including Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Sierras. It is also about an hour away from a ski resort up in China Peak. Beautiful nature outdoor adventure is Fresno's backyard to the east. The beauty of living here is you can still live comfortably on a middle class income. Homes are still relatively affordable. Sacramento is similar to Fresno but does have few things Fresno does not. But keep in mind the median price of a home in Sacramento is over $100K more. Weather is similar as well. African American population is very small here compared to Sacramento with Sacramento boasting over 10% more Black population, so the diversity in that regards is better in Sacramento. Other than that, the other racial make up is present. As with most of CA there is heavy hispanic population (but which part of CA isnt) followed by white and asians. The problem one may have with Fresno is that it is really the only biggest city in central CA so if what you are looking for isnt here, you are not likely to find it in the neighboring small towns and cities. But because Fresno is the 5th biggest city in CA, there is a good chance it should have a store, service, amenity you are looking for. San Jose is 2 hours away, and you can get to LA in 3 hours. Still short enough for day trips. The people here are very more reserved and less vocal it seems. They only speak out when it comes to negative things but never say anything when things are good. Overall, if you are raising a family and are middle to upper middle class, you will live very comfortably here with most if not all the things you and your family will need as they grow old. But if you are not educated and have no ambition life may be difficult because there may not be as much opportunities.

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The Uncivilized Wasteland of Dusty Oklahoma People - 3/12/2019

I lived here between End of 2008 to the middle of 2015. I got two degrees from Fresno State. Since then I moved back to the civilized world, but do end up coming to Fresno State for work, every few months. All I can say is, this place is the absolute worst hellhole I have been to, ever. I have lived on three continents, and frequently travel all over the world, and this place has the absolute worst people, ever. The weather is terrible, it lacks any establishment suitable for socializing, it only has terrible chain restaurants. But what makes it unbearable, are the rude, racist, backward people in this town. They think that they can build a "city" and "revive downtown" like that idiotic blonde Republican mayor always went on about, without immigrants. Everyone is basically working in the customer service industry and are alcoholics, while simultaneously being Christian (The fox new kind), and being Trump voters. North Fresno is filled with small-town people who think they have made it "bigly" because they make $50,000 *groan* and drive a decent car. The Tower district (supposed cultural hub) is filled with trashy, hipsters who are more racist than people in Mississippi (yes, I have been there). Everyone does everything half-ass, like the whole downtown project, that went to the gutter. And everyone, everyone here is just plain rude. And you barely, ever see an attractive woman. I am glad that I don't live in this pathetic, little, ugly, moronic, loser town. And if you are reading this, and if you are a civilized individual, get out before these country folks kill your soul.

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Racism, Rednecks, Repression by Evangelicals - 3/7/2019

Awful and Racist. My family has lived in Fresno for over 100 years. The entire Central Valley has a history of the KKK and the signs can be seen in Fresno. And yes, I said the KKK as in the Ku Klux Klan. There's actual historical evidence and newspaper articles asserting it. In 2011 the Fresno Bee reported the that "a Klan bar" that had existed in Fresno County was now closing. It's interesting that the Fresno Bee never even mentioned it until it closed. In December of 2018, Governor elect Gavin Newsom came for a town hall meeting. He was met and stalked by Right wing nutcase Bergaum from Frontline America. The Fresno Sheriff has been rumored to have KKK and it was more than obviously when Fresno Deputies gently and kindly asked Ben to leave the premises after he had stalked and harrassed Gov. Newsom. I never thought I would see cops be so sweet to a man after that man showed he was a danger to the Governor of California. In addition, I personally was also threatened with a visit from the local KKK after I had remarked that the County animal shelter Fresno Humane was racist towards Blacks and Latinos. Seriously, people are so racist in Fresno that even the cat and dog shelter shows racism and has KKK people defending them. Moreover, my former husband confided that as a teen the KKK had attempted to recruit him. There's some holdovers from the South. Like if you're a person of color and go shopping and have the nerve to look like you have disposable income you'll soon encounter white women playing a subte game of chicken with their carts. They will head straight toward you until you give them the right of way. The local government right wing and corrupt. It's all a good ole boy system The local government only cares about real estate developers. One of the women on the City Council is even romantically involved with a land developer. Overall Fresno is very racially divided between White and Latinos. The reason is that alot of the White people come from redneck stock. So even if they are lawyers and teaches or the politicians. So they tend to treat the Latino people badly. The Latinos are generally nice and polite, but they avoid White people due to being aware of the intense racism. If you're in animal lover Fresno will break your heart. The local government doesn't care about companion animals. Even with numerous reports of animal cruelty being done at the local animal shelter, the CCSPCA, no government official will move to stop it. They just looked the other way and allow the animal cruelty at the CCSPCA to continue. There are all sorts of homeless cats and dogs everywhere, but the locals here have become so callous towards it they see it as "natural". It's truly barbaric in this respect. One should not that Fresno District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp has an in law that's on the Board of the CCSPCA so that's likely why the CCSPCA avoids any accountability. Fresno is highly Evangelical. It's keeps a hold on mostly the women's minds. In a way, the Evangelical Church in Fresno has made it so women keep their place and forgive almost any type of abuse from their male partner. It also keeps women from demanding rights since the church convinces women to pray to God and wait for Jesus to solve any problem. It's really sad to watch. Right Wing talk radio is popular with the men. These radio shows pretty much demonize everything so that even if the women wanted to bring up a topic the men would shoot it down before she finished her sentence. Fresno is a very repressive town. It's really a shame.If not for the local government being corrupt, the KKK, and the racism, the rednecks, the repression, the Evangelical Church, and hate monger Right radio playing 24/7, Fresno might have had a chance.

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Fresno: a big small town you can afford?? - 2/16/2019

We have lived in fresno for the past 10 years and it’s definitely a home we love! Pluses are the great theee-season weather(July & Aug are brutally hot like much of inland CA), proximity to the beautiful central coast & sierras if you like the outdoors. Constant small shows, concerts, plenty of parks (Woodward Park is fantastic), a super small town zoo (I mean it this zoo is lovely!),great little farmers market days scattered in many areas...small town feel in a larger community. We have lived in the more expensive North Fresno area for many years and it’s very nice. Last year moved into the Downtown area which is far more urban in feel and we love this too. Downtown is slowly being revitalized when people move back to the little city area and make it their true home instead of seeing it as where all the trouble is. Get involved in the community and make real friendships; there are awesome people here and we plan to stay indefinitely. I??Fresno.

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Absolutely terrible - 6/18/2018

The summers are hot, dry, and brutal. There’s little rain and clouds are rare, the sun just beats down on you. There’s no real culture. You know, major California cities can be defined by their unique culture like SF, LA, Oakland, etc but Fresno has none whatsoever. It’s a corporate wasteland with little recreational activities within the city. It’s hard to meet people here. It’s an ugly, dry, scorching hot and flat city.

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Proverty-Stricken, Unpleasant Area - 5/6/2018

There's not a lot I can say for Fresno. It's in close proximity to Yosemite National Park, and not too far from the central coast. The winters are mild, and for the past few years, we haven't even had much fog, though it can be bad some years. There are lots of churches, bars, restaurants and gyms available. Sadly, that's about the extent of it. I'm not sure what the worst part of Fresno would be, but we ranked 2nd in a national study of the most impoverished cities in the U.S. You can see that everywhere except in the posh communities north of Herndon Avenue. Fresno doesn't fuss about beauty. I guess when 50% of the population is on Medicare, and with a poverty rate of over 28%, we really don't have the funds available to beautify the communities. There are a lot of low-life people lurking around, and even the typical Fresno resident is not what you'd call "friendly." People act as if they have a secret to hide. Perhaps many are here illegally and fear white citizens. Whatever their problem is, it doesn't make for cohesive communities. There's a lot of crime here, but our Chief of Police, Jerry Dyer, is a good law enforcement man. He does his best to root out the criminals, but the cops can only be so many places, and we are under-funded for hiring more officers. Housing prices are much lower in Fresno than in the more interesting parts of California, by they are high here for what you get. The quality of people in general is very low. Unless you're wealthy, don't expect a wide range of dating options if you're single. Drug-addiction is rampant. It seems like this city draws the worst of humanity. Our city government is corrupt, and dealing with the city if you need a permit for home or business is just about impossible. No one in government is held accountable. We have a couple of good councilmen, but most are raving leftists who would see our city become a haven for criminals and illegals. So far, we have maintained a Republican mayor, but he is a weak leader and easily swayed by the tantrums pulled by the lefties. City government makes the worst decisions and wastes money on lost causes. We're still about 50% conservative politically, but the left is gaining a lot of ground here. Add to all the rest regular temperatures of 105-degrees or more for about three months out of the year, and 95-105 temps for another three months, plus dirty air, drought conditions, typically high California taxes combined with lower-than-average wages, few aesthetics and a society that's becoming more immoral by the day, and I would recommend you run screaming from Fresno and California entirely. I will be leaving at retirement myself.

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Racist niehbors - 1/23/2016

I need help

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I Was Bullied And Miserable Here - 1/13/2016

I moved to Fresno back in 2005 and lived there for a year and a half before I could no longer stand it anymore. The area initially seemed very nice and pretty and I was looking forward to living there and having that experience. However, that lasted all but three days. My car was broken into and I was robbed. Wonderful Fresno welcome. As if that wasn't bad enough, two weeks later I got my first job there. That's when my eyes were opened as to what to expect and what I'd deal with in the area. The childcare facility that hired me turned out to be a nightmare. The first location they sent me was literally down the street from where I worked. I seriously lasted until my lunch break on my very first day when I was called upfront to the office by management. There I was greeted with hostility and interrogation. One of the girls felt threatened by the fact that I had been placed as her aide and would take over her room when she learned my experience and credentials....and I was targeted because I was the only white employee and I wad new. Anyhow, she made up all these stories and lies about me saying that I trashed management, they didn't know what they were doing, I was taking over etc etc. Needless to say I was transferred to location #2..... Location #2 was smack dab in the middle of THE ghetto. Again, the only white employee. They treated me horribly, bullied me and constantly made racial slurs against me. Even had the children call me names in Spanish and would laugh about it. One co worker whose Nephew was a child in the center threatened me and had me shunned because an Asian child bit her Nephew while in my care and she accused me of letting the Asian kid bite her Nephew because I was a cracker and favored the Asian kids over the Mexcican ones. One co worker threatened me by telling me that I better know my place because her boyfriend was a Bulldog gang member and had just been released from prison for murder. The parents were somewhat nice to me UNTIL they found out I was from Oklahoma. Then they truly made my life a living hell. I was accused of being a racist just because I was from OK.....parents began filing complaints saying they didn't want me there any longer and came up with allegations like I wouldn't let their chikd eat or go to the bathroom etc etc. One day the black manager made me wear another employees ID tag (a 350lb black guy) and had me introduce myself as "Tyrone" so they could have their laughs and humiliate me. I stuck it out for a month and remained strong as long as I could. My entire experience in Fresno was like that. It was horrible. I seemed to be a minority there, the crime rate wad very high, everything was extremely expensive and the standard of living is subpar. It's full of racism, ghettos and an overpriced quality of life.

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Mild Winters, But . . . . - 5/15/2015

The average winter temp in Fresno looks pretty good to a lot of people used to cold weather. However, Fresno has winter issues of its own. Ever hear of "Tule Fog"? Didn't think so. It's pretty unique to the Central Valley of California. Once there has been a decent rain in November or December, the wet ground forms a dense, heavy, low-lying fog for days or even weeks in a row. Many times I have seen two to three weeks of not seeing the sun for the fog. My personal record is 43 days of straight fog, in early 2011. When it's foggy, the cold seeps into your bones. 40 degrees is very cold and uncomfortable for outdoor work, and sitting in a stadium watching a football game is just ridiculous. The gray, flat light is depressing and you need to get out of town to see the sun on a regular basis. Combined with the Sahara-like summer temps, worst-in-the-nation air quality and very high pollen and allergy triggers, we'd had enough after living my life there. 50 years was enough. I don't think we'll be back.

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Climate - 4/7/2015

Summer -- Hot dry desert climate, extended periods of 90+F and 100+F. 20-30 degree cool down at night. Fall -- Warm dry desert climate, extended periods of 80+F and 70+F. 20+degree cool down in the evening and night. Mostly pleasant after midOctober. Winter -- Short, 50-60 high, humidity medium to high depending on amount of rain. 2015 is 5th year of drought conditions. Mostly sunny except midDecember -midJanuary. Fog can be dense in rural areas. Spring -- May begin early with warm weather in February and March varying with 60s in day. Can reach 80s or warmer by May. Always significant cool down at night. Mostly pleasant.

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Fresno - 12/23/2014

Great city.

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Hot, dusty, dirty and expensive - 9/19/2014

I am 54 years old and have lived here all of my life. I have seen this city change for over 5 decades. I am finally seriously looking to get out for numerous reasons. The crime rate is very high if you live in any area except the very expensive north side. I have had a car stolen from from my employers parking area. The summers are extremely HOT. That is not a joke. July through Sept. the highs rarely fall below 100 degrees and the lows at night are in the high 70's to low 90's. The area is an irrigated desert and there is a drought going on. Fires in the foothills during the summertime are the norm causing air quality issues. Swamp coolers will not do the job of cooling your home so A/C is required causing your power bills to be in the neighborhood of $400-$500 for the months of July, August and September. The winters are mild but the tule fog in January and February is very bad. The cost of housing and food here are well above the average of other cities of comparative size and the wages are depressed because of the influx of illegals. During the Spring allergies are a major concern. Air quality, fires or not, always seems bad. Yes, the beach, mountains, Yosemite and Kings Canyon parks are just an hours drive away but when you return from the mountains you can see the brown air over the city that you breathe in. NOT GOOD. If you must live here the better sides of town are the north and east sides. Stay away from the south and west sides. Those two areas are infested with gang activity. Sports in the area is basically the Fresno State Bulldogs. However, when the biggest gang in the area has taken on the name of the college mascot, that is not a good sign.

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California Institute of Medical Science - 7/23/2014

California Institute of Medical Science provides students with the opportunity to achieve their highest potential as a medical professional.Our graduates leave feeling confident and prepared for the challenges that the medical work environment will bring. Our staff is comprised of highly trained individuals with years of clinical and “real world” experiences.

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Sweltering and smoggy - 1/12/2014

Having lived in Fresno, CA for close to 30 years, it is time to move on. The winters are mild and sunny but the air quality is absolutely the worst. Summers are unbearable and feel like you are living in an oven. Time to move to the beautiful Pacific Northwest !!!

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Three Years of Life in Fresno - 11/20/2013

Moved to Fresno, CA at the end of 2010. Now, at the end of 2013, my family and I can't wait to move away. Fresno has very little to offer. Air quality is terrible, tap water is hazardous. The locals, the ones who aren't originally from somewhere else, seem to be mostly behind the times, stuck in ways that the rest of the country evolved from decades ago. I don't want to say it's all of the locals, because rarely (as in less than five per year) my family would encounter someone who kept the good traits of the 'good ol days' but somehow was able to shed the bad traits. The air and water are terrible, but it's the people that make the city what it is. Thinking of starting a new business in Fresno, or even the entire central valley area of California? Unless it has to do with farming, think again.

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Fresno "Think Twice" - 10/23/2013

I moved to Fresno in 2000. Was so happy to move away in 2006. But the craziest circumstances brought me back here and I can't wait to get out once again. Too hot, too dirty, air quality poor, high crime,how about that fog in January, zero to do downtown. Home prices were once affordable but not anymore. Of course more affordable than the Grey Bay area or the rat race of LA. If you have to live in the Central Valley choose Visalia. Or if you don't mind a drive of 45 minutes choose Oakhurst. But just think twice about Fresno. Think Dirty Air.

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