So…I am finally doing it…I am packing up from Canada and Moving to the US…California to be exact, and probably Bakersfield, to be even more specific.
I am a Registered Nurse, working Labor and Delivery. I am flying out for a Job Interview/Contract talk on tuesday, the 18th. If all goes well, I will be moving out in the new year.
I’d love to hear from a few people who live in the area, or in Cali in general! I am not sure what to expect…I have been to California before, but never the Bakersfield area.
It would also be great to know a few people, or atleast ‘of’ a few people before I get there… ;j
I have been to, but mostly through Bakersfield a few times. Very good Basque restaurants. If you do relocate to that area, you are in driving distance to San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc. Good luck on your job and move.
Bakersfield will probably be quite different from what you’re used to. (I know there are hot, flat, agricultural areas in Canada; but it’s quite different from Vancouver ot Toronto!) My impressions of Bakersfield is that it’s hot, dry, and dusty. I’ve driven by it many times, and even shot a music video for a local death-rock band back in the '80s. I’ve been unable to find good music on the radio; just country, top-40 rock, old rock, and lots of Christian broadcasting. Fortunately I found an NPR station, but I don’t remember the frequency.
Bakersfield is about 100 miles north of L.A., so it’s do-able; but still a bit of a drive.
My flight leaves tomorrow morning…and it will be a quick little get a way. I only havae 2 days really to see the area and get through my interview and contract talk. I have heard good and bad about Bakersfield. The country music…hot…dusty thing doesnt really bother me, as I am a bit of a country bumpkin myself!
Johnny…good luck with your move! Although you are not quite in Canada, you will have to take the time to come and see our Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Western Canada is so beautiful…There will be many new things for you to explore! Best of luck to you!
A couple of years ago, I worked on a job site near Bakersfield for a few weeks. I really liked it. For a city, it has a nice small-town feel. Sure, it’s hot, but no more so than the rest of the San Joaquin Valley. It’s in a basin that tends to collect all of the valley smog though, so be prepared for some bad air days. It had some good farm supply stores, as I recall.
I wouldn’t mind living near it though. I’m a rural girl, but I do like to be able to do some shopping now and then.
…and I just moved from Los Angeles to Toronto. hmmm.
As I have pretty much used Bakersfield as a marker for getting out of town I don’t know much about it. I can tell you it isn’t the mecca of culture that one might, um, expect from California.
If the meeting goes well and the move happens…I’ll be looking for some straightdope fun in Cali! So keep me in mind. Even if Bakersfield doesnt end up as my final destination, I will be moving somewhere in Cali in the new year!
The meeting/interview went well…and I think I am moving to Bakersfield
I will starting my new position at Mercy SouthWest in January/Feb.
I was actually quite surprised at the ‘diversity’ of Bakersfield itself. If you NEVER take the time to head to the SW end of the City…wow…are you missing out. Now I can see why so many people told me that Bakersfield is old, rundown, dusty…which ya, most of Bakersfield is…but the SW is amazing! I loved it! Its that small town feel with some city class. I managed to get around ok, only got lost once when I ended up on 99 heading towards LA…something just wasn’t right. But…I managed to swing around and get heading in the right direction!
So…here I come Cali!!! FINALLY. CelticCowboy knows this has been a long time coming!!!..so IF anyone talks to him…tell him about this post…and let him know an old friend is moving closer.
And…if any of you have any musts…or must nots…please let me know!
I was born/raised in Los Angeles, but my aunt lived in Bakersfield. I spent summers (OUCH… VERY HOT), Easter and Christmas vacations and other various and sundry times there so it kinda seems like I almost grew up there. My cousin still lives there and I lived there for 2 years about a dozen years ago.
Yes, the SW is the only place to live. My Aunt and Uncle have passed on now and my cousin is living in their house again so she’s on the East side. It used to be a great place to live. Now it’s dirty and scary.
FWIW: I’ve heard the state abbriviated CA and Calif. Also SoCal and NorCal are acceptable. You will be living in the Golden Empire. But I’ve never heard Cali. I’m kinda thinking that if it’s grating on my nerves (am I’m really easy going) you might want to be careful about using that infront of some of the types you’ll run into in Bakersfield.
You’ll be 1 1/2 hrs north of LA so you’ll be able to join us for the fun and games… WOOO HOOO We do like to party and we have some great Dopers!!!
As long as you know about the hot, dust and cowboys, I can’t think of anything else to warn you about.
I understand that with the growth of the SW side, a number of cultural events take place in Bakersfield now. Oh, you’ll want to make a trip to RL=http://www.alwaysopenmall.com/layouts/02/unsecure/home.asp?SiteID=8&SideTab=Products]Dewar’s
They have the finest old fashioned homemade ice cream and candy. They are on California and…hmmmmmm I think close to Chester.
Don’t swim in Kern River. More people loose their lives every year because the current is so much stronger then it looks. When you are going up into the canyon, there is a sign telling how many people have lose their lives. I don’t undersand how anyone can ignor that.
Ming Lake and Bakersfield California Living Museum are cool places. I can’t remember the name of my favorite park where you can see the peacocks and feed ducks. I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.
oh oh… I previewed and didn’t see it! dang it. I guess that’s what I get for doing this during Survivor… That was supposed to be Dewar’s — the totally wonderful old fashioned ice cream and candy place.
