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| Fresno-much better than some reviews - 3/14/2013
I moved up here to Fresno because I could buy a great Craftsman bungalow for less than half of what I got for my old bungalow in L.A. and in a much better neighborhood than my old LA place. (I had a dear friend already up here, which was the only reason I even THOUGHT of checking out the Fresno MLS, and WHAT a happy surprise!) The Tower District where I live is great. I suspect that in the past it was slummy, but is now quite gentrified and is a major center for the arts. The cultural life of the Tower includes the yearly Rogues' Festival, once-monthly art hops where people can visit the newest exhibits at local galleries. There is also a yearly Gay Pride parade for those who are into that. The Tower Theater runs some interesting films not of mainstream. There are at least three neighborhood galleries in my general area (NOT snooty North Fresno!) and a number of other galleries on Olive Ave, a main drag in the Tower. Getting into the art scene as an artist is reasonably easy. Many venues exist.
The Farmers' Markets are outstanding with a huge assortment of interesting fruits and vegetables, all very locally-grown. Some of these markets include entertainment, while others are straightforward.
The yearly Greek Festival at the local Greek Orthodox Church is great fun and an opportunity to pig out on and take home Greek Food. The Fresno Fair is right in town, no long drives, and the Fresno fairgrounds also hosts a yearly home and garden show and the huge Hmong New Year festival. Oh, and let me not forget to mention Forestiere Underground Gardens, an under-known but excellent historic treasure.
Having moved up here from L.A., let me just say that the worst local rush hour Fresno traffic is comparable to the lightest traffic down in that City of the (Fallen) Angeles. For shoppers, there are of course malls all over the place, chain stores (TraderJoe, Whole Foods,PetSmart, Osh,Home Depot, etc.) as well as interesting little shops.
In terms of safety, well, I guess I am somewhat jaded from having spent many years in L.A., including living through that zombi invasion known as the Rodney King riots. That horror oozed into my general area and I along with neighbors watched smoke rising from burnt shops and heard gunfire. After that, nothing Fresno dishes out alarms me.
I also like it because the general area veers conservative. You don't have the irrational politically-correctness-obsessed types running things. People are generally friendly and are kind to strangers. I'm very happy I moved here. My only complaint: no Kosher deli, no Greek restaurants (although lots of excellent Armenian eateries) I'm sure I left something out that will come to me later.[read more...]
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| Fresno, only getting better - 2/15/2013
Having lived here 19 years, and spent my entire childhood in Fresno Area schools, I can say that Fresno is not perfect and does have quite a few negatives--but what city doesn't?
The key to Fresno is not the broad area of town you live in, but the community you become a part of. Fresno has been growing quite rapidly but has maintained that small-town quality of community. People care about each other here, help each other out, and really make this feel like home, something a lot of big metropolises lack.
The weather is fantastic. People in Fresno love to complain about it but for the majority of Americans, it's almost perfect. Hot summers, yes but most houses and cars are fully loaded with ac. And winters, no snow, no freezing temperatures--it's a breeze.
One of the most common criticisms I hear is crime. The truth is, most crime in Fresno is not committed against random people--but is gang related. When it comes to middle-class or upper-income communities, crime is relatively and is constantly improving. People do not live in fear, in fact, most people feel very safe in their neighborhoods as there is such a tight-knit community that watches out for each other. Going downtown is completely safe, unless you are walking the streets at 3:00am alone (but who does that besides those looking for trouble?).
There is so much to Fresno, don't just brush it off because a few bad comments--but also don't just jump in without doing your research. [read more...]
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| moving to cali - 12/12/2012
My husband is considering a job transfer to california. The open areas for us to choose from are are Fresno, and the bay areas. We can do a suburb of Fresno. We were looking at Lemoore but the negative reviews have me worried. Can someone suggest a better area? We are from the Midwest and are sick of winter. We also have 3 kids and need a good school system. We love outdoor activities in warm weather of course. any advice will be appreciated. [read more...]
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| Crime - 8/3/2012
Fresno California is one of the top rated crime cities in the nation. We have the bulldogs, the bloods, and the crips, plus a host of smaller gangs. We have several murders per week. I would not recommend this city for children.[read more...]
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| Fresno, CA Not So Great - 9/29/2011
I lived in Fresno, CA 26 years of my life and have finally decided to move out of this not so good place. I have experience lots of change in the last 10 years here in Fresno. The climate is great during autume(2 months/12 months). Winter is cold, Spring full of allergies, Summer feels like a microwave. Although Fresno, CA is only 2.5 hours to the nice California beaches and 3 hours to the great Sierra Summit. Fresno, Ca is an empty city full people who seems like the are trap in a quicksand where the longer they stay the harder it is to get out. Lots of people in Fresno are farmers and people who have low education and low income. Don't get me wrong Fresno have doctors, lawyers, Accountants, biochemist, engineer, Farmers, and business men that makes millions a year. I have always wanted to leave Fresno when I was going to college now that I have been out I am taking a trip out of fresno and hoping not to look back. I love my cars and everytime I wash my cars and leave it on the driveway the next morning there is a layer of light dust/durt that has already settle on my car that was only washed 18 hours ago. I think to myself if I am breathing in all these dust for the last 26 years of my life it must not be good. My allergies are also bad in Fresno. The crime(murder, homoside, rape, auto theft, drugs, home invasion, etc.) in Fresno, CA is one of the worst. There are great places to live such as the north side of town(where most of the lawyers, doctors, accountants, business men, etc. live) by Woodward Park. All I have to say is that if you love Fresno, Ca thats great if you plan to move here you have to enjoy some of the bad stuff I said about it. Remember I live here all my life and Im moving and again hoping to never come back. But the choice is in the beholders eye. I see that I have nothing there. But Fresno, CA might be a Gem for you. Good Luck.[read more...]
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| looking for friends - 7/14/2011
i am a divorced woman in my late 50's whom is looking for others my age for a friendship/activities.[read more...]
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| Fresno - 6/25/2011
When I first moved here in 1965 (I was 5 at the time) Fresno was a great place to live. The city has grown enormously and is no longer the kind of place I'd recommend. The huge influx of illegal immigrants, has changed this once vibrant city into a good place to leave. Crime is high, people have become rude, and there are a huge number of people (not only immigrants) who have no desire to do anything but use the system for a free ride. This is not unique to Fresno, it's a statewide problem.
When I was a kid everyone got along regardless of race or color. But now it seems to have changed.
Fresno has great potential. The weather here is very hot in the summer but the winters are very mild. It is within driving distance of mountains, lakes, ocean, Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks, and Los Angeles and San Francisco.
It could be a really great place, but there a lot that needs to be improved. I'm looking to move elsewhere.[read more...]
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| THE RACIST CITY FRESNO - 11/21/2010
YOU TO THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH.THIS CITY IS REALLY RACIST.IT FILL'S LIKE A DAMN SLAVE MOVIE.EITHER YOUR RICH OR YOUR POOR. THE KLUE KLUX KLAN RESIDES IN THIS VALLEY IVE LIVED HERE WELL OVER 20 YEARS.I LIVED IN THE BAY AREA AS AN ADULT FOR 15 YEARS IVE BEEN BACK HOME IN THE VALLEY FOR 5 YEARS NOTHING HAS CHANGE. EDUCATED FOLKS EXCEPTING LOW WAGES AND CANT SEEM TO GET AHEAD. BUSINESS OWNERS TREATING GOOD PEOPLE LIKE CRAP!! THE WAGES REMAINING AT A HOLT. [read more...]
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| Dry Air & plenty of sunny days - 6/26/2010
If you have allergies, or lung problems this is not the city for you. It is so dry that the dust is invisible, but you see it on the cars, street winds blow it up and pretty soon, if you can't tolerate that you are sick. Otherwise, it is great beautiful weather, plenty of breezes, sunshine and the city has lots of neighborhoods in all price ranges. The farming community is great. The people are friendly. [read more...]
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| Fresno CA - 6/18/2010
I like Fresno, easy traffic patterns, nice people. Food prices are a little higher, but housing is cheaper than most of California. If you move to Fresno, beware of St. Agnes Hospital ER and Radiology. The ER people lack a professional sense of urgency and concern for patients, and care is mediocre. The Radiology Dept. doesn't know how to read x-rays-at least in my case. I'd use Clovis instead as I have personal experience with both hospitals. [read more...]
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| america's most underappreciated city - 2/12/2010
i have seen EVERY significant place in the U.S. and Canada, been on every significant road, and seen every important animal exhibit- I travel a LOT, just for fun. Given that, i have lived in fresno since 1983 and find it to be america's most underappreciated city: i am 61 miles from snowboarding, it is one of the best towns in america for bicycling, and has,except for a couple of weeks, one of the top 25 climates in the U.S.(per rated places almanac). there are two rivers in the area where you can kayak,canoe, or white-water raft. I am an hour from yosemite, king's canyon, and sequoia national parks and 2 hours from the coast. there are over 100 ethnic groups in the area providing a wonderfully diverse environment.Don't judge us as you drive by on highway 99- it's a great place to live.[read more...]
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| Major crime - 1/8/2010
I laugh at some of the reviews of other cities that say they have major crime. Fresno is one of the worst. There's a small sliver of Fresno that I would feel safe going on a jog at night in, and I'm no petite.[read more...]
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| Used to live in Fresno - 12/5/2009
I lived in Fresno for 43 years, found the love of my life and raised 3 wonderful boys there. and then it hit me. Why am I still here. I have chronic sinus problems, I work in the sweltering summer heat of (measured on a roof top) 123 deg and humidity, had 5 cars stolen in 10 years, 4 occurrences of vehicles broken into, garage broken into 3 times at one address and twice at another, but don't let these minor things concern the fact that most of the people here are just great. My last few years there where filled with very genuine and loving friends. I hated to leave, but an influx of situations that seemed beyond my control, forced my departure. Cost of living in all of California is out of control. Air quality is getting worse every year, and the population is taking it's toll on what used to be a very nice place to live.[read more...]
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| transit - 8/20/2009
fresno is awesome because cost of living is down but then so is the ecnonomy . i like that everywhere you go you can be there in less than 20 minutes for the most part. its flat wide open. three freeways. good for those bad with directionsor easily lost.[read more...]
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| notown - 3/30/2009
this is my home one of the most dangerous place lived but i will 4ever love it 559 4 ever[read more...]
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| It's called the armpit of CA for a reason! - 12/26/2008
I grew up in Fresno and got out right after high school. I lived in Boston, San Diego and Phoenix then moved back after I divorced. The city had grown over the 10 years absent but the small minded mentality is right where I left it. As a new member of the single life, I've tried dating here. But, the men seem stuck in Uncle Rico's world, still living life as if they were high school, the big guy on campus. Drinking beer, scoring runs and chicks but in reality they are losing their hair and the only runs scored is on play station...oddly enough they're still scoring chicks. The summers are butal but fall is pretty nice. The crime rate is down from my high school days however, it's still relevant. In closing, Fresno is famous for a few things, Cher and Kevin Federline lived here, Anne Hache was called here by aliens and of course, the abundance of agriculture...and DUI's.[read more...]
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| FresNO - 11/17/2008
I live in Fresno. I was born here but have lived in other states. Don't ask why I moved back. I've regretted it.
I remember what Fresno was like in the 70s, 80s, 90s and of course more recent times. I can honestly say that in every category Fresno is getting worse.
Homes are overpriced and for the size of this city there's nothing really to do. Sure it's centrally located but who wants to drive 2 hours just to have something fun to do?
The crime is bad and it seems that it's spreading. I currently live on the best side of Fresno and it seems that all I'm paying for is higher rent.
The cost of living is outrageous. The air quality is horrific, the water tastes bad, people are rude and it seems to be overrun by gangs.
We have rolling blackouts during the summer, it's basically illegal to burn in your fireplace at all during the winter and the city has some funky laws that they enforce when it comes to trash cans. It's the most inconvenient city I've ever lived in.
Yes, I'm planning on moving as soon as possible and I can't wait. Fresno is like a blackhole that sucks you in and it's so dang hard to get out once you do. Probably because the economy is so bad it's hard to save to be able to break away.
The only positive thing I can say is that Lost Lake is beautiful so it's nice to be able to go to the river but when it's warm out, forget it. Any swimming spots you'll be sharing with about 1,000 other people. I absolutely hate it here.[read more...]
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| I didn't know till I moved! - 10/29/2008
The worst air quality in the US. Small, dirty town that everyone thinks is the best place in the world. It's a starter town if you want to say you live in California. Keeping up with the Jones's is the theme. I spent 20 years there and sold my house in Sept 05 to get out. Can you say bubble? Thanks for the coin! People live in 80k houses and drive 50k cars..? The weather is good as long as its not summer. In the summer everything is dead and brown unless you water it. By the way. Water shortage, only water on mon/wed/fri for even addresses and tues/thurs/sat for odd...heh. One ski resort worth mentioning within five hours and its only one mountain with sierra cement. THe mountains are nice but hot and dusty due to lack of rain.Obesety and lack of activities is gross. The smog makes your kids stay in at recess and PE.Durign the summer there is always a fire near or in Fresno and the Valley fills with smoke like a big bath tub. So bad its like fog.The tule fog in the winter didnt bother me like it did some people. I took the moisture any way I could get it. It is welcomed after the desert like summers.Summers there are rolling black outs to save energy because everyone is using their a/c at once. Not to worry, it only happens on the hottest days! heh. On the good, the fruit and vegtables are top notch. The mexican and middle eastern food is top notch. The spring time is good because the smog usually blows out and the sorroundings are still green from the winter. It is only a short drive to somewhere desireable and too expensive. When you go to the coast in the summer and come back its like driving into a hot bath tub full of smoke to remind you where you chose. People who have the guts to move out don't return. Peolpe who stay haven't traveled yet.[read more...]
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| Fresno/Clovis: great for families with school-age - 10/27/2008
I've lived in Fresno now for 8 years and during that time, it's been the right choice. Spouse's job moved us to Fresno from Los Angeles, where we were primarily happy. However, the school's that my son attends here in Fresno are far superior to the ones that he would have attended in LA county. If you're considering moving here, check out the Clovis school district. You can live in north east Fresno and your child will attend CUSD--or you can live over in Clovis to the edge of Fresno and it's nice too. Please don't look for a lot of rich, historical neighborhoods in the Fresno area. There are a couple, but not like in some of the other areas of California or certainly on the east coast. Bottom line for me? If I were still in LA, I wouldn't be able to put in a full day's work, zip out to pick up my son, and get him to a little league game or soccer practice. I have a 6-mile commute which is probably the norm for this area. It allows me more "life" time vs. commute time. Good luck to all who consider![read more...]
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| No Surprises - 9/3/2008
While the summers here can be very hot, 100+ at times, it isn't very humid. And while the winters can be cold, there's almost never any snow. I feel really lucky to live in the Valley. We don't really feel the effects of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and the such. But there is a trade off. The air can pretty bad at times, especially when there are forest fires, and the allergens can get pretty high.[read more...]
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