California's inner cities are booming, but is Bakersfield a good place to live in 2023? We found the top 8 pros and cons of living in Bakersfield, CA.
Bakersfield is a city of 400,000 in Kern County, in south-central California. It's also just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles.
It offers an urban environment to the residents and the city is also famous for that."the country music capital of the west coast."
"Bako", as it is affectionately called by the locals, has a warm climate and is one of California's largest oil and agricultural producers.
But theThe dynamism of the city, as well as the rest of the interior of Califonira, continues to developand became an important center for new business and art.
also becameone of the fastest growing large cities in californiaas more and more people flee the excessive costs of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In addition, Bakersfield has a variety of attractions to keep residents entertained, including landmarks such as Hart Memorial Park and the Bakersfield Museum of Art.
Bakersfield may not be known as the best city in the state, but we think it's a hidden gem for its location and affordability.
Still, is Bakersfield a good place to live in 2023? Has the city changed enough to make it livable and worth living in?
Let's take a look at the top pros and cons of living in Bakersfield, California that we've uncovered so you know whether it's the right city to move to or not.
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Pros and Cons of Living in Bakersfield, CA: Our Top 4 Pros
1. Excellent cost of living in California
A reasonable cost of living increases the quality of life in any city. Bakersfield may not be cheap, but the cost of living is very affordable compared to other California cities.
DespiteBakersfield is 15% more expensive to live inthan the national average, it's really18% lower than the California state average.
Home prices are also an impressive 48% lower in Bakersfieldthan the rest of California. The average house in 2023 isPrice ranges from $300,000 to $350,000 according to Zillow.
Of all the pros and cons of living in Bakersfield, California, this point of accessibility is probably the biggest reason that has drawn so many new residents to the city.
2. Transformation of the economy
Bakersfield's economy used to be based exclusively on the agricultural and oil sectors.According to Forbes, the oil industry created more than 16,000 direct jobs in 2020. Agriculture has generated even more jobs than the oil sector.
But the recent influx of new residents, particularly the younger generation, has helpedbegin to revitalize Bakersfield's economyto a more dynamic city for jobs and opportunities.
Meanwhile, downtown Bakersfield is experiencing a renaissance as more residents move in and the area is rejuvenated.
As a result, new businesses, restaurants and housing developments like this one are springing up.17th place townhousesthey've been popping up in Bakersfield lately and have helped to diversify the city's economy away from oil and agriculture.
This makes it an exciting place to live with a bright future.
3. Near Los Angeles
We all know that Los Angeles is one of the best cities in California. We even named him as one of theThe Best Places to Move in California in 2023.
But what if you could access and use all the amenities but live somewhere more affordable?
Bakersfield is just a two hour drive from Los Angeles. So whether you get bored, want to explore or enjoy a weekend getaway, you can easily head to Los Angeles and experience all that it has to offer.
It may even be possible to access the Los Angeles job market from Bakersfield, especially as more companies are embracing hybrid and remote working models. A two-hour commute to work might not be so bad if it's just once a week or once a month.
4. Good public education system
Is Bakersfield a good place to live? It might be if you have kids. Offersnumerous top-rated schools to choose from. With 163 schools in the area, it's clear that Bakersfield has a strong and diverse public school system.
It is also home to several universities, including California State University Bakersfield, the University of Bakersfield and the Bakersfield Campus of Fresno Pacific University.
Pros and Cons of Living in Bakersfield, CA: Our Top 4 Cons
1. High crime rates
Bakersfield, CA has an above average crime rate. actually it is94% above the national average. That's a pretty extreme number and could be a cause for concern for anyone looking to move to Bakersfield.
Due to this high crime rate, looting the area is easy. However, not all parts of Bakersfield are dangerous. Also, crime has decreased by about 1% each year as the city has taken a stronger stance on crime lately.
So is Bakersfield a good place to live for someone looking for a safe city? We recommend checking out different parts of the city when planning a move, as some neighborhoods are safer than others.
2. High levels of contamination
As a major producer of oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels, the greater Bakersfield area has always been at the forefront.List of the most polluted cities in the United States.
Bakersfield is in County Kern, theis responsible for the production of about 70%of all California oil. While this high production rate helps create jobs in the area, it unfortunately also contributes to air pollution.
So if you suffer from severe lung or breathing problems, consider moving to Bakersfield.
3. Extremely hot summers
One of the biggest things to prepare for is the weather in Bakersfield. The weather can get uncomfortable in hot summers.high temperatures in July and August, averaging around 98 degrees.
Due to the scorching heat, Bakersfield is also threatened by natural disasters such as wildfires.
Also, it rarely rains in this desert town. Residents only experience about 6 inches of rain a year.
But,Winters in Bakersfield can be quite mild., which positively indicates its desert climate.
4. Car Dependent City
Bakersfield's layout is quite sprawling and there is a lot of urban sprawl. The city covers over 150 square miles for its 400,000 residents.
There was only one walk scoreWalkability-Score of 37 out of 100. As such, you'll likely need a car to get around unless you decide to live downtown.
Bakersfield's public transport system is also not very reliable or extensive.
Is Bakersfield a good place to live? Summary
Bakersfield is a thriving city in a great location offering mild winters and great value for money.
But is Bakersfield a good place to live? We think the answer is yes, but only if you're willing to be flexible and grow with the city as it redefines your own identity.
We hope this list of pros and cons of living in Bakersfield, CA has given you more clarity on whether this should be the next place you move to.