Fresno Famous

Do it for the right reason

Getting out of Fresno was the best thing that ever happened to me! Please don't go there if you have better options. Just like any other city, there are good and bad. I can think of one good thing - everything is cheap (house, food, cloth etc.). Unfortunately, there are plenty of bad: high crime, horrible horrible pollution, no jobs, not much to do and so much more. They are on the list for one of the worst cities in the world. "Hold your breath The American Lung association has named Fresno, California as the one of the worst cities in the States for “Particulate Pollution”.

Did you move to freshno?

How do you like Fresno?

May Move To Fresno

So I applied for a job at FSU, and may be moving there from Texas if I get the job. The city I'm currently in is about 125,000 -- I think I would actually *like* some traffic. And more to do. I like cities/metropolitan areas of about half a million to a million. And Fresno is within a few hours of beautiful parks and the beach.

So I'm wondering, can this midwestern girl (I am very much NOT a southerner -- I've just lived in Texas for a few years) afford Cali? (Fresno doesn't seem as expensive as other places.) I wonder if I will I "fit in" to Fresno (I know that no one can answer that, since no one knows me.) At least it seems like I can find whole and organic foods, which aren't so easy to find where I am now...

terrible traffic?

Did someone really just gripe about traffic in Fresno? Geez. Yeah, that 1/2 a day when the freeway is crowded really is a pain. C'mon.

When my wife moved here from the Bay Area, it took her months to get use to us not having to leave a half hour in advance if we needed to go somewhere by freeway. The fact is that you can pretty much get from one side of town to the other in 15 minutes by freeway.

Slater

Slater is located in North Central Fresno, used to be just North Fresno but because of the northern growth it is now north central fresno. Close to Fig Garden shopping center. Also is close to the highly acclaimed Christmas Tree Lane.

NO don't move to Fresno

Move only if you plan to spend all your money here.

Most people hear about

Most people hear about Fresno crime and gangs but don't realize how much it has changed. So a couple of numbers for people to ponder.

Fresno has 486,000 residents and so far in 2008 has had 15 murders.
San Francisco has had 41 murders this year with a city population of 824,500.

That means Fresno has had 1 murder for every 32,400 residents. San Francisco has had 1 murder for every 20,110 residents.

Take the plunge

Rob DeFrees

Whatever negative you hear about Fresno, do give some thought to what is positive.

MOI has veen here but a little oever a year. It is unlike any other place I have lived. That in and of self is worth note.

Fresno is changing. It is a city in search of itself.

The road I live on is challeged. The coppers are here a lot. There is crime.

Yet, there is also the re-birth of Civic Pride. Lots of lovely old homes that can be had for a good price. Landlords that are trying to give a real value for the rent paid.

I have Asthma, and the air quality is horrid. I am able to bear it and think most can as well.

Folks in Fresno are right friendly.

Should you move to Fresno? Bloody right you should and before the rest of the world wakes up and seems what they are missing.

I wouldn't recommend anyone

I wouldn't recommend anyone to move to Fresno: there is no jobs, polution is terrible (people moving here develop respiratory problems) high crime (all neighborhoods), gangs, overcrowded and terrible traffic.

we are moving to Fresno too

So me and my family are going to be moving to fresno in June... We now live in MA and I have spent my 30 years here with quiet nights and a lot of trees (hahaha)It's going to be a huge move for me and my family (two young boys and a husband)I am excited, for me i feel its time for a change...

Does anyone know how the Slater school neighborhood is?

Art hop is the 1st Thursday

Art hop is the 1st Thursday and 2nd Saturday of the month. Many Tower places have Jazz etc and so does the downtown hot spots, plus Patio and other places in the North end.

Yes

This is all very true, but keep in mind that the "live music outside" is most likely going to be the *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* from the custom stereo system in some goon's car while they're cruising down your street.

There's Still some Authenticity Left--- But Hurry!

I moved here 5 years ago from Mill Valley, and lived in S.CA before that-I found that you can actually buy an older, historic house and restore it with little hassle and redtape-that you can eat a different ethnic food every night of the week--hear live music outside almost all summer--ride your bike without those pesky hills and humidity--know your neighbors if you want to..or not--get involved in local politics, arts and issues if you want to, even though there is an odd ol' boy attitude still at play in some circles, even though it's over-churched, folks can take it or leave it most of the time, and there's a sincerity and even authenticity in the desire to make Fresno a better place to live. When other cities become so crowded, fast-paced, "destination-shopping oriented," and over-priced, Fresno is an honest livable option for anyone ready to work a little to keep it that way. Steer clear of the stucco jungles, and explore life South of Belmont! (and, I think that ArtHop is still only the first Thursday of each month.)

I would agree...

..I just moved here about, um, 8 months ago...
Basically I got what I could afford, and was a bit pressed for time.

Though I love my landlord, ---and he's created a bit of an oasis in terms of living among people who are cool, and respect each others time, space, and family,
-my neighborhood has really been the focus of a LOT of police activity, --because of bangers.
(My previous post from the other night was a reality... though things have settled down a little.) Friends of mine in pretty good sources have told me that we're in for a pretty intense summer.

Some of my more 'High End,' clients (up north,) have had some helicopter take downs too, ---but not as much.

I still love the multi-cultural aspect of my neighborhood, (I'm on Shaw, between Fash Fair and the University... -but the gangs are redistricting, ---there is a ton of tagging going on, which means a lot of clashing and moving around.
Some folks want to watch 'COPS,' some folks want to guest star on the show,,, okay, such is life... (At least they aren't wiping out otherwise legitimate genre's of music on American Idol...)

But when folks get a drift that things are beginning to get heated, entire neighborhoods move, and fast.
-My landlord doesn't even do yearly leases, He just figures, if someone wants to move, fine, let them go.

My immed neighborhood is rolling -big time- and folks hip to the drift are loading their Rental Vans and headed for quieter areas.

I think it's important to know what your place is like during the NIGHT as well as during the day.

It would also be a good idea to talk with the cops and just ask them, 'where's a good place considering my particular circumstances.'
--You can also ask store owners, and clergy in the areas,,, -basically anyone who would know because they deal with folks in a region.

-If you are used to an urban and rougher area, sometimes a little drive by, a little bang-bang, a little scrawny hoodie rock-slingin' as part of the local fishtank, -is no big deal, and you can do quite well on a place (if buying,) and it won't bother you.
If you have enclosed parking, so much the better.

(Back East there has been a really intersting phenomena where Asbury Park (made famous by Springsteen,) was all but a decimated Ocean Resort ghost-town, (it was bad, reallllly bad.) Watch the movie 'City by the Sea,' with DiNero... it was shot in Asbury Park, and they had to clean UP the place a little so they could shoot...
---So, a lot of the GLBTG Community moved in, decided that the prices were good, they offset being broken into a few times with what it cost to actually live in more trendy neighborhoods, ---and they've rebuilt and turned the place around in a major way.
(Read: LOTS of beautiful old mansions redtored now with rainbow flags and suncatchers...)
-but they figured, '...well, nobody will bother us about who or what we are, we're saving something beautiful, this is worth the risk, and we're not the type to give up easily...'
-Basically they have saved the place from being a rotting skeleton, (-and this after some pretty high profile developers and movie stars bought out sections of it, never finished, then cut, and run. (They were intent on building hotels, ---a half-constructed one, which remained that way for a dozen years or more, was finally just dynamited.)

---You may want to reconsider a place that isn't well lit or secure, (unless you dont' mind having your stuff ripped off and meeting new playmates in your kitchen at 3 in the morning.)

If you have kids or want things a bit quieter, that's also a different story.

I agree with Luke in terms of the culture being different from one end of town to the next, (or one side to the next.)
-But Why somebody hates it, or loves it, makes a big difference.

People fighting, breaking stuff, and setting off car alarms because of their own personal dysfunction... -That's not really fun in any language, (though it's interesting to see how the rest of the neighbors handle it, --the ones who choose to stay, I mean.)

My group looks out for each other, we're used to stuff, ---but also know we sort of have an island going on. It's good to know your neighbors, be friendly, and care for them, because when things get weird, you need to know who's going to care back, --and who's not.

PS: Large Dogs with deep voices are still popular -and will probably remain in the top five for the rest of time... -though I hear geese and peacocks can also have an interesting effect.

I was chatting with a couple

I was chatting with a couple that moved here a few years ago, and the number one thing they wished they'd known before moving here is how every neighborhood has it's own culture. They ended up buying a house on the North side, and they hate it there.

We moved to Fresno 20 years

We moved to Fresno 20 years from the "Bay Area" and the pluses were, we were able to have the dream house with the pool, park easily at every major event, afford to see whatever cultural event we wanted to, travel easily to the coast, mountains, and even to an airport that is 15 to 20 minutes from anywhere in town. You can hear great opera, see a spectacular Civil War Reenactment, do the Art Hop twice a month and always find a parking place. Life can be good in Fresno if you allow it to be.

The Better Way

Just don't let anyone convince you to take Ave 7 through Firebaugh to I5. That way sucks.

ohhhh! good

Being a South Bay guy, I drive through the 152 to the 101, and take that straight into the City. I knew there had to be a better way ... so thanks Jennifer. Will try that next time.

120W->205W? There's your

120W->205W? There's your problem. That is one of the worse bottlenecks in Northern CA. That section through Tracy is generally backed up night and day from what I've seen. 132 is a good solution to avoiding this while still taking advantage of 99's northwesterly aim. 132 runs from Modesto to 580. Sorry if I'm getting us off topic.

In my defense, I drive 99N

In my defense, I drive 99N to 120W to 205 to 580. and that into the city usually takes me 4 hours in moderate traffic. Thanks for the different (and hopefully timesaving) route.

4 hours to San Francisco

4 hours to San Francisco from the 'no? Only if you drive 40 mph and stop to make like 20 pee breaks. I cant log in to the Meta site (because I am too cheap to pay $5 for signup) but I thought the response from "bryanzera" needed a reply. I have been driving back and forth to SF my entire life and it has never taken me more than 3 hours and that includes traffic. Actually I have done it in as little as 2 hrs and 20 minutes (no traffic). This is the route everyone should take: 99N -> 132W -> 580W -> 80W (bay bridge). Try it. You'll save time and probably gas too. Dont listen to yahoo maps and do I-5 it takes you way out of the way.

yes! move to Fresno

---but be ready for the following:

-They track Democrats here, (they don't make us wear radio collars, but they like us to sign in and out, ---'just to know where we are.')

-There are fun and exciting things to do (such as Bike-Hop,) --that are unusual and lead to great times with new friends. (*this written in all sincerity...*)

-There are also other (less fun -but no less exciting) things to do,
----such as moving into a neighborhood that is currently being re-districted by bangers ---resulting in (2) police helocopter hoverings (in one night,)
---that also cause interesting young men who really need a belt, to dance in the street (shirts off,) prior to being given free silver bracelets --and car-rides downtown. (...note, could lead to combat flashbacks...)

-Said neighborhoods are also (even less fun, --but still exciting,)
during Multi-Family 'dust-ups' on the block
---This usually happens once the checks come in, and the outside temperature is elevated. (-activity usually held during what are commonly missunderstood by the rest of us as: 'sleeping hours.')

(---and you learn new and interesting uses for the 'F' word by the ladies of said families, -as they are shouting it at the gentlemen who are slamming every possible door in their dwelling and fine automobiles...) ---KMart Car Alarms are optional...

(I guess the watchword would be, '...know where you are moving to,
---and live in the Madera Foothills if you are from rural or wooded areas, -until you get used to more dramatic environments.)

---it was not a great night, people... lemme tell ya.

tacos

I guess this is kinda fitting for such a topic. It's a blog entry I wrote about my four-year anniversary of being a Fresnan.

I don't know about the guy leaving his family behind to come to Fresno -- I say all or nothing -- but I do think that Fresno is a good place to be right about now.