Desperate for information about Fresno California area

[wishuponastarforever]

There may be an opportunity to move to Fresno California. I see conflicting information. It would be very helpful to know information about the area from people who live, lived or know people in the area.

Air quality seems to be an issue, but not having ever been there, statistical information could be more frightning than reality.

Please provide any in sight good, or bad.

Thank you!!

 

[yanni2]

and have for the almost 20 years (since college). I'm not quite sure what information you want but if you want to pm me any questions I can try to answer them.

The air quality is pretty bad at certain times of the year, lots of people will allergies, and asthma, and such.

Michelle

 

[Bilberry]

I don't know much about Fresno. I used to live somewhat near that area as a kid but moved away many years ago. I recall reading this article about the town a few weeks back and was depressed to learn what I read. Sounds that economically Fresno is being hit very hard.

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/558016/201012281843/Fresno-Zimbabwe.aspx

 

[Pakey]

I've lived in Fresno for 25 years now. It's the worst place I've ever lived.

Not only is air quality poor, the economy is poor. I can't wait to retire and get out of here.

 

[tvguy]

We've lost a few people to jobs in Fresno. Cost of living (things like houses) are low due to the recession. Air quality is no worse than any inland portion of California.
Fresno is the raisin capital of the world. Big ag area.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I will say it politely, I am not a big fan of Fresno. Is this the job opportunity of your lifetime? If so, it's not that bad (there are worse places), but I wouldn't pick it as a place to settle down if I had the choice. (I have never lived there, just been there several times).

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My mom grew up in a small town about 20 miles from Fresno. I grew up going to the area every few weeks to visit my grandma and uncle. My uncle still lives there and we go a couple of times each year.

I am not at all fond of the Fresno area. There are lots of small towns surrounding Fresno and lot of open land used for agriculture. It gets very hot in the summer and can sometimes be bone-chilling in the winter. They get that low fog that sometimes doesn't burn off all day. Sometimes it not safe to drive the roads around Fresno because of the thick fog.

They have a very high crime rate there and the pollution level is bad. We usually take day-trips into Fresno to shop and have lunch since there's very little in the small town where my uncle lives. You'll find most of the major stores (Walmart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, Costco, plus a mall). They also have quite a few restaurants.

There are definitely areas that are better than others. You want to stay away from the downtown area and many of the areas with older homes. Some are OK, but the older houses seem to be concentrated in higher crime areas. There's a fairly new part of town that's nice. I'm not sure exactly what to call it but it's the area just before you hit the road that takes you out of the city towards Yosemite. I know someone who works in Fresno but bought a house in Clovis, a neighboring city. It has some newer areas with nice homes and a good school system.

I hope this helps!