Some of the world's richest people and sneaky rouges tended to show up in Fresno over the years. With all their money and power you wonder what brought them here. Of all the major citys of the world why were they all coming to Fresno? Even 60 years ago there was not much here. So why come here? Movie, Military, and Mafia types. From Fulton Street to the Courthouse. The underground/back room movers and shakers have roamed Fresno for years. Makes you wonder what they have been up to.

I don't think anyone was calling it 'Fresno' 300 years ago, Native American or European. I was speaking from a city perspective. I'm unaware of much recorded history prior to the early 1800's. If there is any, the city does a poor job of promoting it.

Actually, people have lived in what is now Fresno for much longer than in Boston or New England. Granted, they were Indians, but they still count as people.

But I think the point you were making is that Boston has much more European-American history, which is true.

Having lived in Rhode Island for 6 years, there are a few things I imagine might take some getting used to (but you're moving and looking for a change, so you should be more than OK with that):

-Towns are far more spread out than in New England. Fresno is relatively "close" to a lot of world-class destinations, but by close I mean 2 1/2 hours to the Yosemite Valley floor, 3 1/2 hours to San Francisco, and 4 plus hours to Los Angeles (depending on how you drive).

-Heavy Mexican cultural influences, comparatively speaking (whether that's a plus, minus, or neutral is up to you)

-Higher temps in the summer (but very little humidity)

-As previously mentioned, poor mass transit options

-House prices are coming down, so it is an excellent time to buy (if you're able)

-No major league teams of our own, so you can choose your own team to root for and not get harassed much.

-Fair amount of jobs in varying careers, so if you or an S.O. need employment, it's not too difficult.

-Conservative/Republican lean in the population, but liberals do just fine here as well.

I really liked being close to our country's roots, with all the historic landmarks from pre-Revolutionary War period onward. Fresno's history isn't as long (fact) or nearly as intriguing (my opinion) as Boston's. That may not matter to you, but it's something I miss. Good luck with the move!

I am looking forward to moving. Fresno sounds nice! I know we will do fine once we get there :O) Thank you

Fresno is what you make it to be. I have been here for 4 years. I love Fresno.
The weather is pretty good all year around. A little hot in the summer, but never to cold in the winter.
Fresno has a great location, it is close to several nearby lakes and national parks.
There are a couple waterparks here in Fresno/Clovis area. There are many nice city parks, some with off leash dog areas, and bike/walking trails.
There is even the amusment park at Roeding park.
There are a lot of things to see and do here.You just have to look aroun and explore.

There have been epidemiological studies on the effect of electric power lines on human health. See Robert L. Park's "Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud," Oxford University Press, 2001. The chapter of interest is called "Currents of Fear".

Rob DeFrees

Leave it to a guest to say horrid things about Fresno.

We have the Fresno Philharmonic here, and that is culture. There is more as well.

Public Transport might not be perfect but it works. I use all of the time, I do not drive.

Think you are better off that that 'visitor' did not have the means to stay in Boston. He sounds, or she, right mean. The sort who should sit in the ball park and have peanuts thrown at.

Unless you have something really important here, STAY! I visited Boston for a week last November and I would've stayed at great cost if it was at all possible. By the way, I hope you HATE public transportation because you wont find anything even remotely close to what you're leaving behind (personally, I think the T must've been created by God him/her self). Oh yeah, I also hope you hate culture, because you wont find anything even close to what you've got in Boston here in Fresno. Sorry, but that's just how it is.

On a relevant note, everyone I know (self included) think that living UNDER large power lines is not only aesthetic suicide, but also a rather bad idea (nobody knows what the long term effects are conclusively, so it makes me feel like a lab rat) but living AROUND (normal) power lines is not a big concern. Go figure... I guess we're just used to them. I probably should be more concerned.

STAY IN BOSTON!!

After Mindhub, you might also want to try CentralValleymoms.com for a mom network. It recently launched.

www.valleynotebook.wordpress.com

:O( oh

thank you SOOO much!!

A good place to find out what is going on in Fresno and to network is the list-serve MindHub http://www.mindhub.org/
as well as here on Fresno Famous.
Another good organization is Creative Fresno
http://creativefresno.com/

My husband's extended family lives in Boston. It's a big place, are you from the city part or the suburbs? Fresno can feel like a spread-out suburb. If you find a network, you should be fine.

Valley Notebook

No I'm not ready for Boston in Fresno.
But if you wanna come spend all your money here then please Do, and Give it to US.

Rob DeFrees

I have heard about folks like you. Fear of Power lines. There are a lot here, and just think of them as giving that little extra nudge to plants. Sort of a Micro to food before you pick it.

Your neighborhood will be what YOU make it. Be courageous and start a Neighborhood Watch.

As to Boston, I have a mentor who had a grand home on Bay State Road. Right snob he was, had a bell that was rung for servants to come.
Wonder if that road is still grand.

I've lived here all of my 46 (in June) years, and I love it, for the most part. One big change will be the weather: I've only been to Boston twice (loved eating at Durgin-Park!), both times mid-September, and it was cold. Fresno in June is usually when it starts to get hot, By July, it's REALLY hot, at least compared to what you're probably used to in Boston. But I hope you'll like it here; there are lots of things to do, you just have to look for them.

My wife and I were good friends with a couple. The wife was from Boston, the husband was from California.
They lived near Fresno City College in a charming house.
They liked their life here.
A good job was offered back in Boston.
They moved.
They've made a nice life there for the last 10 years or so.
The wife (bostonian) yearns to return.
The native californian (husband) digs it there.
Make of that what you can!
Good luck.
I'm sure you'll make your fun wherever you go.