It's not the worst city, but its flaws are bad
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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.
Derek | Fresno, CA