moving soon - 5/6/2009

bakersfield is an oil patch not much room for start up bussiness

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COL - 4/8/2009

To damn expense to live in California

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I CAN'T BELIEVE THE REVIEWS ABOUT BAKERSFIELD! - 3/24/2009

There are people who actually think this is a GOOD place to live! Air Quaility: Worse than L.A. Crime: Worse that L.A. Grafitti: EVERYWHERE! (Again, worse than L.A.) The sky is yellowish brown here. Someone wrote than you can see snow capped mountains in the winters here. No you can't. The smog won't let you see more than 2 miles 95% of the time. For a couple days a year, the wind blows it out and suddenly you can see the mountains that are pretty close but that you couldn't see before. The people ARE NOT FRIENDLY! They're rude as can be. Service from businesses around here is POOR! Everyone tries to RIP YOU OFF around here. From car dealers to realtors to rental managers to the cable company, you can bet that doing business will be a complete nightmare. The first house I rented here was in foreclosure when I signed the lease, unknown to me, and the asshole was trying to collect rent from me AFTER it went to auction. Employers here aren't as bad as L.A. in the engineering profession, but I don't know how they are in other professions. Everybody's a conservative-stone-age moron that doesn't believe in global warming (ironically). So they drive around in huge Ford f-350 4x4 crew cab trucks with monster tires as their main commute and blaim Los Angeles and San Francisco for their poor air quality (even though Bakersfield is separated from those cities by mountains with elevations over 4000 ft). The cows, oh yes, the cows. Where I live, I'm 25 miles from any cattle operations. Yet, the stench from cow crap is overwhelming at times (about 50% of the time). It makes my eyes water and makes me choke when I inhale the air it's so strong. When you drive to the source of the smell, there are a thousand cows crammed into steel carport looking shelters, living in super-poor conditions. They're trapped in cages about 4'x5' and have to put their heads through the cages to eat. And to top it off, they're standing in their own crap ALL THEIR LIVES! Once you see it, you pretty much lose your appetite for beef. But remember, happy cows come from California! Did I mention gangs? They're everywhere around here. There's drive-by shootings, robberies, etc. There's nothing to do here except eat, which is 90% of the people who live here are overweight (including myself). You can't jog outside or it will scar your lungs. If you get a gym membership here, the only good gym is In-Shape City. In the summer, which lasts from May to September, it stays over 110 degrees most of the time. At night, it'll drop to 95 degrees. Overall, this place is the hell people say it is. There a few "special" people who like it here. But remember, the band "Korn" is from this place, and you can hear the inspiration they recieved from living here.

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this town sucks. - 2/16/2009

I first moved here in 1998 and aside from the three years of being away due to my military service (air force) I've lived here for a better part of seven years and to tell you the truth I have had enough of this city I really don't even know were to start about this god for saken town. The air quality would be a good start it is unbreathable everyday 200 parts per million of cubic sq feet of air is contaminated with all sorts of crap and god knows what's in the air you can't even go outside without your eyes watering and the ac should be on 365 days a year wether it is hot or cold outside and that includes in your car. As for entertainment in this town it is well how should I say this there is no entertainment!!!!! both of the malls suck especially the east hills mall they should just demolish the place, downtown is the pits there is also nothing there except for a few scruffy bars and that is about it and the poor urban planing is just another problem with this damn city mass transit consists of a local bus service and that's it no train, no light rail nothing (aside from amtrack) and for a town of this size they should have things of that sort. The people are just rude and mean for the most part especially if you are a minority you are frowned upon by the majority and if you are not ultra conservative forget it don't even talk to anyone in this town it's bush 24/7 365 a year and this is it not a place for a liberal minded person like myself I can say that for sure. I can just some it up like this the people in bakersfield have the sort of mindset that they don't want to know about anything outside of this town and that they have a tunnel vision outlook on the entire world as in what goes on outside bakersfield is none of our concern what else can I say but ignorance. Here is another thing about this town why is it that so many corporations move into this place everyday it seems another fast food joint pops up or another walmart is being built someone explain to me why bakersfield needs four home depots and three walmarts!!! well I hve spoken enough I'm moving up to portland or seattle within the next month or so and I will never come back here for life and I already know I will get responses that bakersfield is not so bad and blah blah blah from people who were bread born and raised in this town because it seems to me they are the only ones that love this hell hole.

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Air quality bad due to the high number of dairy fa - 2/10/2009

Yes it's true this highest contributor to the poor air quality in Bakersfield used to be thought of as L.A. pollution creeping into the valley but while I lived there (2004-2006) I did a study on the topic and discovered the horrible air quality in the whole Kern, Fresno, San Joaquin Valleys is due to the concentration of dairy farms well not so much the farms but the waste that the cows produce I can't believe they don't have better or more regulation on the amaziningly high levels of methane gases produced by the farms crowding of the cows and poor waste management. Sheesh if they could/would harness it, they could power the city.

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want to move - 1/26/2009

Fog in winter, sorching Summer

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Can't Breath - 12/12/2008

This is a great city with a bad set of lungs due to its location in the San Joaquin Valley. Bakersfield is the pollution dumping ground for most of California as the pollution is blown in and is unable to escape because of the valley. More and more people are becoming ill and developing breathing disorders because of this problem. Bakersfield is trying to fix the problem however there is no short term fix and real results will not be seen soon enough for my children.

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Bakersfield, Ca - 12/12/2008

I have lived in Bakersfield all of my life. I'm not sure where the information comes from in the information listed about this city, but I don't believe it is right. In the last 10 years there has been a steady decline in the city. The ethnic comparison is WAY off, this may be the "legal" count, but as a citizen in this city it isn't correct. The gang violence, schooling, lack of entertainment should be a hinderance to anyone wanting to move here. There are no activities for teens, the city participation in any sporting events is pitiful. If you are single you will probably stay that way - there is nothing to do, no where to meet anyone, unless you want to go to a bar, and if you aren't into hip hop or latin music you won't enjoy yourself. My suggestion to amyone wanting to come to Bakersfield....DON'T. I am looking for a better palce to take my family, but with the economics here it is hard to save the money to have enough to move...

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The Armpit - 12/5/2008

While sitting at table in a cozy restaurant on the Island of Kauai with my children, we overheard a group from a nearby table talking about the "Armpit of the World." We laughed when we heard "Bakersfield." It's so true! With the bad air, bad crime, corrupt "Old Boys Club" network, and nothing to do that does not require a two hour drive (the locals boast this as a positive), it is definitely the bottom of the barrel when it comes to places to live. I can't say enough about the bad air quality. The sky has a color of its own. Most days that you might want to use your fireplace, it is illegal and termed a "No Burn Day." The air gets so bad that schools cancel sporting events and children are kept inside for PE. Gang tags cover all four corners. The police department routinely sends out giant postcards comparing Bakersfield's crime statistics to LA and New York. Their numbers show that Bakersfield can easily boast "Top Five in the Nation" when it comes to violent crimes. With so many places to live, it does not make sense to choose Bakersfield. I haven't even touched on the poor shopping options or involuntary aroma therapy from the too many cows. Go Bakersfield!

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My experiences in Bakersfield - 11/21/2008

I born here in Bakersfield, CA and lived there until age three. My relatives still living there by now. I used to go there twice per month until I was 17 years old. Now, I visit there once a year because I live so far away now. I live in Seattle, Washington. I have been watching Bakersfield from small farm town into really sprawling bedroom community. I can relate to some people's comments about Bakersfield from my personal experiences. I honestly think Bakersfield would be much better city if they rethink about their massive growth... Stop developers from building thousands of new homes, shopping centers, mega churches, schools, and everything in the suburbs. Start focus on downtown Bakersfield and its surrounding neighborhoods for redevelopments. Build up not out. Build light rail system. Expand bus system. Narrow all streets to two ways streets and add more bike lanes. Limit parking spaces. Forget new freeways/parkways. That would help reduce air pollution dramatically. Then start demolishing existing suburban homes and replace them with low-mid rise residential buildings with street level retail spaces. Demolish strip malls and replace them with lifestyle centers with very little parking lots. Demolish sprawling office complex and replace them with high rises. Last thing, ban Wal-Mart stores and we will start see charm rises in Bakersfield. Unfortunately, this idea will not happen in Bakersfield for really long time. Bakersield will always be same ugly city as today. Bakersfield people are not really doing anything to make Bakersfield a better place to live but makes it worse. To the people who said Bakersfield is a great place to raise children... Are you kidding me!?!? It is very dangerous place to raise children in really bad air pollution. That is very high risk for your children to get asthma or having severe breathing issues. Bakersfield has bad water system, that damage brain cells which explains why so many people in Bakersfield are not so thinking forwarded or educated. Bakersfield school districts are ones of worst in the nation. Bakersfield is not safe place to live... If you compare another cities with same size... You will be very surprised. Do you still consider Bakersfield a better place to raise children? I wish my relatives would just pack and leave Bakersfield for good. That will give me no reason to come back to Bakersfield.

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Worst mistake of my life - 10/3/2008

Our home got broken into, the door was broken down and everything, so we called the police at about 2pm, no one showed up until about 11:30pm. I have had my car stereo stolen 3 times from different locations. My friends car was stolen from in front of her home in the west side of town which is supposed to be the "good" side. There are so many gangs here that I don't let my kids play in the front yard and we don't even live in the "bad" part of town. There are also too many drugs in this town, I moved here thinking I was moving away from those dangers for my children, little did I know that it would be worse here. I've been here 3yrs., I do not plan to make it 4.

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I've given up with this town. - 9/4/2008

I first moved here in 1998 and aside from the three years of being away due to my military service (air force) I've lived here for a better part of seven years and to tell you the truth I have had enough of this city I really don't even know were to start about this god for saken town. The air quality would be a good start it is unbreathable everyday 200 parts per million of cubic sq feet of air is contaminated with all sorts of crap and god knows what's in the air you can't even go outside without your eyes watering and the ac should be on 365 days a year wether it is hot or cold outside and that includes in your car. As for entertainment in this town it is well how should I say this there is no entertainment!!!!! both of the malls suck especially the east hills mall they should just demolish the place, downtown is the pits there is also nothing there except for a few scruffy bars and that is about it and the poor urban planing is just another problem with this damn city mass transit consists of a local bus service and that's is no train, no light rail nothing (aside from amtrack) and for a town of this size they should have things of that sort. The people are just rude and mean for the most part especially if you are a minority you are frowned upon by the majority and if you are not ultra conservative forget it don't even talk to anyone in this town it's bush 24/7 365 a year and that is it not a place for a liberal minded person like myself I can say that for sure. I can just some it up like this the people in bakersfield have the sort of mindset that they don't want to know about anything outside of this town and that they have a tunnel vision outlook on the entire world as in what goes on outside bakersfield is none of our concern what else can I say but ignorance. Here is another thing about this town why is it that so many corporations move into this place everyday it seems another fast food joint pops up or another walmart is being built someone explain to me why bakersfield needs four home depots and three walmarts!!! well I hve spoken enough I'm moving up to portland or seattle within the next month or so and I will never come back here for life and I already know I will get responses that bakersfield is not so bad and blah blah blah from people who were bread born and raised in this town because it seems to me they are the only ones that love this hell hole.

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bakersfield is a good place to grow up. - 3/6/2008

i grew up here in bakersfield, and although many people rip on how bad it is here... the truth is many who leave bakersfield always come back. whY? because its cheap to live here, the overall quality of life is good. of course there are bad sides of town (the whole east side) but that is like any other large town. and i say that (as cheesy as this is going to sound) because thats what bakersfield is. It has a population of over 500,000 yet you feel like your living in a close knit town. bakersfield is a very giving community also, if there is ever anything where money needs to be raised, you can bet the citizens of bakersfield will step up and always raise enough money to meet their goal. although i am transferring up to northern cali next year, it doesnt change the fact i had a great childhood.

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The Place where I Live - 12/10/2007

My town was always considered small and a good place to raise childern. While it is still a wonderful place to raise a family, I have noticed that the small town feel has dwindled to almost nothing. There are still pockets of the small town atmosphere but more and more my hometown "feels" metropolitain and somehow foreign to me. The kids like the hustle and bustle of the malls and movie theaters and such but I find myself reminiscing about growing up in a small town. That's progress for you.

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Why You Don't Want To Live In Bakersfield - 12/10/2007

The air quality in Bakersfield is one of the worst in the state and the crime rate can be compared to that of larger, more heavily populated cities, such as Los Angeles.

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tooooofassssttt!!!! - 11/20/2007

this used to be a "home town" kind of town,but it has grown wat to big to fast. as a result,the air is really bad due to polution,crime rate going up.etc. Yet,even-so,the town has a lot of opprotunity

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Bakersfield is a good place to raise your kids - 10/25/2007

I grew up in Bakersfield. Lived in a nice suburb, went to private schools throughout my education years, played AYSO soccer, was in the Boy Scouts, etc. Bakersfield is not the cultural capital of the world. It's primarily a blue-collar town. Most of the industry revolves around Oil & Gas, Agriculture, and Service. Housing is affordable. Air quality stinks. There are a lot of parks and master planned communities. Bakersfield has a strong tie to country music (Buck Owens, Merle Haggard). There are some nearby lakes to go fishing, boating, waterskiing, etc. Mountains for hunting, hiking, mountain biking, etc. Most of the things to do revolve around outdoor life. There isn't much of a downtown scene except for some punk music and pretty decent bars. No superclubs like Giant or Spundae here. In fact, the electronica scene is almost non-existant. However, I did hear some decent trance on one of the Spanish-language stations late one weekend. Bakersfield is a good place to raise your kids. But once they reach high school and college age, it may be time for you to move to better places (unless you really fall in love with the place). I am returning to Bakersfield next year to do some business and raise my family. Once the kids are off to college or maybe high school age, we'll probably move back here to San Diego (where we can use the saved up equity from our cheap Bakersfield house to put a decent down payment on a decent San Diego house. The problem is, most new Bakersfield houses are nicer than San Diego's housing which is old, mid-century, and unattractive.)

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Climate of Bakersfield, Ca. - 8/2/2007

Very uncomfortable place to live. Very dry climate ,hardly any precipitation, foggy in winter,dusty all the time. We only have about 1 to 2 months of greenery per year and then it all goes brown.

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Think twice about Bakersfield - 6/27/2007

I've lived here now a year with my husband and I am so disappointed in the area. The home theft crime here is comparable to Los Angeles (don't believe me? Check the statistics on this Web site) and the violent crime is above the national average. Our home was broken into a few months ago and we live in one of the safest neighborhoods in town near the only private living community (Seven Oaks). I've talked to several people who are having the same problems with home theft, car theft. I feel like this is Los Angeles but 20 degrees hotter. I grew up on the West Coast and I would never choose to live in Los Angeles. Think carefully about your options as Bakersfield may not be the choice for you.

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Hot in the summer - 6/8/2007

The summers here are real hot.

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