Bakersfield, California

It’s very cheap and can be a base of operations where you can establish some home equity. It’s the affordable California. Would you believe that 80,000 people commute to Los Angeles from here?

The air quality. It’s off the charts horrible and it is known to smell bad. It’s been called The Worst Place to Breathe in the US. Asthmatics, don’t even think about it. And the air is not only horrible to breathe but the smog is a big grey cloud that hangs in the valley that is Kern County.

Bakersfield is a central AG community so, the produce is certainly fresh! Even though it is a city, it feels smaller than it is because the rural quality is pervasive. The biggest employers are oil companies, agriculture, and prisons. People tend to be religious and conservative, they like guns, all cannabis is banned and it’s very hot with poor air quality/smog. Lots of dollar stores and thrift stores.

There are nice residential neighborhoods (West Bakersfield) and a downtown revitalization effort but this is a strip mall, housing development, Walmart, and Target country. It’s the kind of town where the nightlife consists predominantly of bars and you’re likely to run into the same characters with the same habits. It’s very homogeneous. Even between socioeconomic classes -- there are some very wealthy people and some very poor people, yet somehow, the mentality is pretty consistent. Entertainment is largely centered around drinking.

It is a road trip distance to big cities and beaches but short of a couple hours drive, it’s pretty stranded.

Check out the annual calendar of events to see what's happening in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield has an increasingly diverse economy, with several historically dominant industries and some emerging around the growing population. These include:

-Agriculture is the biggie in Bakersfield's economy, given its location in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. The region is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world with big business in almonds, pistachios, grapes, citrus fruits, and vegetables.

-Bakersfield is often referred to as the "Oil Capital of California." The city and surrounding Kern County produce a significant portion of the state's oil. Big employers in the category include Chevron, Aera Energy, and California Resources Corporation.

-Healthcare is another major sector, driven by the area's growing population and heavy lift around health services. Major
employers include Dignity Health, Memorial, Mercy Hospitals Adventist Health, and Kern Medical.
Kern Medical: A public hospital providing comprehensive healthcare services, including trauma care.

-Bakersfield's location at the intersection of several major highways makes it a hub for logistics and distribution with Amazon and Target running major fulfillment centers here.

-Finally, education and government are important sectors for the valley with Kern County Government, Kern High School District, California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) providing jobs in education, administration, and research.
Largest Employers in Bakersfield
Kern County Government: One of the largest overall employers in the area.

Bakersfield's economy is generally stable, with agriculture and oil being somewhat volatile due to market conditions. However, the diversification into healthcare, logistics, and education provides a buffer against downturns in any one sector. The city's growing population also supports continued expansion in service-oriented industries, including retail, education, and healthcare.

While increasing numbers of people are moving here for affordable housing and working from home, there are plenty of jobs for those who seek in-person employment.