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.
Alice | Fresno, CA