My wife and I have a job oppurtunity in Fresno California which would of course mean moving from Kansas City. Does anyone have any comments on the area that might be insightfull to us?
Thanks in advance

If it were I, I'd carefully consider the state budget fiasco in CA, and who's going to get to pay the eventual bill.

At the risk of offending someone out there, I qualify my comments by stating up front that I was born and raised in the Bay Area (SF) and worked out of Sacramento (state capital) for many years. I covered the central valley, including Fresno, as a part of my territory. Regardless of the problems that the state is experiencing at present, the central valley has always had a rather uneven economic base. My caution would be that you be very careful and selective of where you live in the city. There are some VERY ROUGH areas and a high rate of gang activity in general. Just like Kansas City, there are areas everyone knows to avoid and where they're located. Just one man's opinion. Go in with your eyes wide open.

I would suggest Googling as much as you can about Fresno, and reading the Fresno Bee's website daily. PM Herb Johns. He lives in Sanger, which is a nice little town nearby. He should be able to tell you a lot.

I can tell you that you will have lots of places to go RVing in central CA. Ocean, Sierras, delta, etc. You might be out Barthing every weekend.

As Bill mentioned, I live in Sanger which is about 15 miles SE of Fresno. Being born and raised in Minnesota, Fresno was a new experience when I came here to do grad work in 1964. The fact I'm still here 45 years later says something about the area (or me).
This is primarily an agricultural area, argue ably the most productive area in the world. I've lived in Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, North Dakota, and Wisconsin and each has good and bad points. The San Joaquin Valley is California's step child to much of the more urbane citizens of the state. And that's fine with us.
Would be more than happy to answer any questions or give you more information. The Valley's a good place to live.
Contact info: herbmaryalice@aol.com

Thanks to all for your informative replies. They all are very much in line with my research. Regarless of our decision, the Barth is going with us. Herb,that is a nice coach.

quote:

Originally posted by Cabinetguy:
My wife and I have a job oppurtunity in Fresno California which would of course mean moving from Kansas City. Does anyone have any comments on the area that might be insightfull to us?
Thanks in advance

Here is an article in the El Lay Times about the Fresno area's economic and water problems.

http://www.latimes.com/news/op...ul19,0,4411825.story

I spent some time in Fresno working in a pretty cushy job two different times. I was offered full time with the client were I willing to stay there. The positives, it is a good place to use as a base for touristing, the bad, it is Fresno. The way you get people to work in places like Fresno, CA and Clinton, Iowa is to hire locals. I liked the people in both places but there are nice people all over the world. Find a nice place to live and meet those nice people.
FWIW