Hot, dusty, dirty and expensive
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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.
David | Fresno, CA