Considering Bakersfield vs Indianapolis — help me decide
So, Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,371 for rent here. The median home value here is around $347,300, which seems about average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
57 upvotes
3 Replies
Nova E.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
32 upvotes
Mason Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 31, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
Paisley G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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