Fresno, only getting better
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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.
Mathew | Clovis, CA