Reviews & Comments
Fresno, CA
I Was Bullied And Miserable Here -
1/13/2016I moved to Fresno back in 2005 and lived there for a year and a half before I could no longer stand it anymore.
The area initially seemed very nice and pretty and I was looking forward to living there and having that experience. However, that lasted all but three days. My car was broken into and I was robbed. Wonderful Fresno welcome.
As if that wasn't bad enough, two weeks later I got my first job there. That's when my eyes were opened as to what to expect and what I'd deal with in the area. The childcare facility that hired me turned out to be a nightmare. The first location they sent me was literally down the street from where I worked. I seriously lasted until my lunch break on my very first day when I was called upfront to the office by management. There I was greeted with hostility and interrogation. One of the girls felt threatened by the fact that I had been placed as her aide and would take over her room when she learned my experience and credentials....and I was targeted because I was the only white employee and I wad new. Anyhow, she made up all these stories and lies about me saying that I trashed management, they didn't know what they were doing, I was taking over etc etc. Needless to say I was transferred to location #2.....
Location #2 was smack dab in the middle of THE ghetto. Again, the only white employee. They treated me horribly, bullied me and constantly made racial slurs against me. Even had the children call me names in Spanish and would laugh about it. One co worker whose Nephew was a child in the center threatened me and had me shunned because an Asian child bit her Nephew while in my care and she accused me of letting the Asian kid bite her Nephew because I was a cracker and favored the Asian kids over the Mexcican ones. One co worker threatened me by telling me that I better know my place because her boyfriend was a Bulldog gang member and had just been released from prison for murder.
The parents were somewhat nice to me UNTIL they found out I was from Oklahoma. Then they truly made my life a living hell. I was accused of being a racist just because I was from OK.....parents began filing complaints saying they didn't want me there any longer and came up with allegations like I wouldn't let their chikd eat or go to the bathroom etc etc. One day the black manager made me wear another employees ID tag (a 350lb black guy) and had me introduce myself as "Tyrone" so they could have their laughs and humiliate me. I stuck it out for a month and remained strong as long as I could.
My entire experience in Fresno was like that. It was horrible. I seemed to be a minority there, the crime rate wad very high, everything was extremely expensive and the standard of living is subpar. It's full of racism, ghettos and an overpriced quality of life.
Bowling Green, KY
Never Been Able To Adjust Here -
1/13/2016I have lived in Bowling Green for almost seven years now. I'm originally from the Oklahoma City/Moore OK area. My husband and I moved here for his job.
Honestly, I've never been capable of fully adjusting here even after all these years. It's very different here compared to where I'm from and I have tried to be impartial, stay positive and give this place an unbiased chance. It's simply not for me.
People here in general don't seem to be as friendly as I'm used to. Don't get me wrong, I have met and know some wonderful people here and I know they're not all bad. People just seem to stay more to themselves, it's difficult to catch a smile, wave or hello but maybe that's just my experience. I'm outgoing, talkative and will always smile at every one I make eye contact with, I'm usually greeted with a stare or a somewhat confused expression like I'm weird or something or they immediately turn their head and look away.
I've noticed a puzzling oblivion out in public where most don't seem to pay attention to their surroundings or care to express common courtesy. I have been rammed, blocked and bumped into at the grocery store countless times and they give me a dirty look like I'm in the wrong. Rarely does anyone say "excuse me" I'm sorry" or move out of the way. In fact, four years ago I was nearly assaulted by an African American woman at Wal-Mart because as I walked by her in the electronics section SHE whirled around and almost elbowed me in the head and accused me of "being up in her business" and began yelling and cussing at me. She threatened to stick my tongue up my white a.. Which brings up another point. I have never witnessed public outbursts, less than desirable behavior and such unclassy antics as I have here. I witnessed it a lot in East Tennessee when I was there, but it wasn't so common and continious. There seems to be a large populous of people who either have this hood rat or redneck mentality here. I find it overwhelming.
I hold doors open for people, hand them coupons at the store when I have an extra one or one I'm not using but notice they could use it....I rarely get a "thank you" for anything like that either. I have tried and tried, but it has been impossible for me to bond with anyone here and make a good, genuine friend. The nicest and most kindest people I have come across here have been other Okies I have crossed paths with in passing who noticed my OKC Thunder or OU shirt and came up to me and chatted and yes, even gave me a hug. OR they have been other transplants, I have known several from Michigan and Ohio that were actually quite kind.
As far as the city goes, it is okay here for someone from a much larger city/developed area but it seems very lacking. It's very pretty and quite nice in some areas and then again it's quite scary and run down in others, like any city. It is finally developing some and making some progress which is great to see but it seems like every time I get excited about a new store opening or being built it turns out to be another mattress place lol or its a smaller, mini version of a major chain store (the Michaels, Kohls, Petsmart etc for an example are very small compared to the average size of others else where). There are some descent shopping centers and a few nice places to eat but nothing truly unique or spectacular. The mall is quite sad and the overall selection isn't great so we drive to Nashville sometimes for some fresh air and choices. The movie theaters are older and not that nice, especially for having been bought out by Regal Cinema. Downtown is trying really hard to be fresh and hip and has made improvements but the area seems quite small and cramped the way they have designed the restraunts around the ballpark.
I have been to Skypac several times but haven't discovered or caught onto very much culture here or found a good access to the arts. The local event calendar seems more oriented towards seniors or singles rather than families and it's difficult to find anything to do as far as special events or venues especially around the holidays. Perhaps it's my fault, I don't know. I could honestly be missing things or maybe I don't know where to look or where to go but again, I admitted to not having fully adjusted to Bowling Green.
The traffic is horrible on the weekends and many places are overcrowded because people from the several, little towns surrounding us drive "into the city" to do some shopping and go out to eat. For such a small city, it seems overcrowded to me. Even in Dallas, Tulsa, Houston, Oklahoma City etc I have never seen or experienced such congestion or had to wait in line to eat the way I have here.
If you come from a small town or another South Eastern state Bowling Green will probably be a good fit for you and you may find it satisfying and abundant with amenities. If you come from the Wests or Midwest and a larger city, you'll probably miss many things and amenities from home.
Overall it's a descent place to live. There is much worse out there. It is a small city and they are improving and in the process of progress but it's not for everyone. A little friendliness would go a long way here!