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Calling all SW Bakersfield transplants!
Topics: Bakersfield, transplant, moving, transfer
Posted by sunnica Sat Feb 23, 2008 22:03:22 PST
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0 responses 5 comments

Hey all!

I'm interested in hearing from Southwest folks who are new (or semi-new) to Bakersfield.                

Were you transplanted here for work?  Family?  A better way of life?  Other reasons?

Once you got here, what differences did you notice?

I'd like to hear from you!  I'm working on an upcoming story, and I want to hear what you think of our fair city.

Send me an email (dmartin@swvoice.com), and let's chat! 

Or, log-in to the site and just tell me your story below!

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Comment From: amydara

We moved to Bakersfield twelve years ago for my husband's job (Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County) from the Orange County area. We do consider this 'home' now (especially due to the fact that we could actually afford a HOME here!), but we do enjoy visiting Orange County when we can. Bakersfield is what I call the 'big town / small town' - it'll take you 45 minutes to get across town, but you'll go to the grocery store (or the mall, egads!) and see nine people you know! My husband used to wonder why it took me hours to shop for groceries... now he realizes that I do a lot of 'networking' there! Best, Amy Comment From: sunnica

Wow, wow! That's all good stuff! Tell me... 1. When you first moved to Bakersfield, what was your initial impression? 2. Today, what is the BEST thing about Bakersfield? 3. Do you think you would consider moving back to OC? Thank you! I just ran across the picture I took of you at Edwards! haha Look for it soon! Comment From: pedigo328

My family and I moved here about 9 years ago, in the summer of 1999. We moved here due to my fathers job of being General Manager for the biggest Petroleum company on the west coast; which is Lone Star Trucking, located in Shafter (it now is owned by a canadian company, but he still works there). Making this change from Yosemite, CA, well basically everyone who knows where that is or has been there knows it is a HUGE difference to Bakersfield. We actually lived about 20 miles from Bass Lake, and lived up there for about 7 years. Our initial impressions of Bakersfield were, of course, not the greatest, but what is that expected after weighing the two places. But after 9 years of living here, and in two different houses (northwest Bakersfield, off of Norris), it really is not a horrible town at all. Despite the heat during the summers, and a bit more congestion then the mountains, it is a great town. The winters don't effect us too much as Yosemite snowed every winter. Too bad though, Bakersfield couldn't be lifted and moved out of the valley to avoid our air, and too a more constant weather style, much like the beach, then it would be more then ideal. The best thing about Bakersfield these days is life in general. I encountered many more friends then up in the mountain (everyone is so spread out up there), I attended a great high school (Centennial), I found an awesome job that wouldn't be available in the mountains (The Bakersfield Californian), and lastly it has much helped to develop a bit more normal childhood as to having access to many friends that were close by, due to the many neighborhoods. That helped for a great growing up experience. Also, it is a much laid back, conservative town that makes for fairly great life style, and does offer a great community college to get the GED out of the way. I think Bakersfield is looked at to negatively, because this town dos have the qualities that are unchangeable (weather, air, etc.) and is the only things that create our set backs; it really is a great town. Lastly, of course anyone would consider moving back to Yosemite, CA though, I don't think for my family it would be permanent, but more of purchasing a cabin or around those boarders. The mountains just don't quite offer that of the great town of Bakersfield. (Also, remember Bakersfield is getting up there, we ARE the 51st largest city in the US, right behind Pittsburg.) 

Comment From: yola818

My family and I moved to Bakersfield six years ago from LA. We had lived there all our lives up into the move here. My husband had family here, so we would come up and visit on weekends or holidays. They new we were looking to buy a home in our home town. Everything we looked at was soo expensive and old. My sister-in-law talked us into looking at new model homes here. I fell in love with the fact that we can have our home built new and for way cheaper than our town. Having the schools and parks so close to home, really stood out to me. We wanted to raise our children in a nice and safe area. So we made the move. My husband found his job first, then a month later I got hired at Mercy Hospital and joined him along with our kids. We are all still really happy here, although its pretty different here. A little more peaceful and not sooo crowded. Even though I've noticed some parts of the city are really growing and getting bussier. Still, the traffic isn't as bad. I just miss my family down south, at least the drive isnt too long. Comment From: sunnica

You guys rock! Thank you for being a part of my story. I'll let everyone know when I'm writing it (once I collect all of my research!).