Longtime lurker here, Rent is about $1,005/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $202,400, which is actually reasonable. With a population of 10,377, East Bakersfield is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -East Bakersfield sits at 209.2 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
0 upvotes
11 Replies
Adrian Lewis
exactly what I was thinking
36 upvotes
nolaheart2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in West and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
26 upvotes
Alexa Smith
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
Axel A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Matthew M.
+1
9 upvotes
Camila S.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Mackenzie K.
I work in manufacturing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Patricia H.
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Wyatt Foster
great question, following
3 upvotes
Robert Wilson
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much competitive but now it's tough.
1 upvotes
loving_emilia26
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
