The 7 Best Things About Living in Bakersfield, California

A historic clock tower in downtown Bakersfield, California.

Moving to California for work, a change of scenery, or to get a new career started? If so, and you haven’t settled on a city yet, we suggest you consider lovely Bakersfield, California. Bakersfield is a great choice for many reasons, which has made it a fast-growing city.

To prove Bakersfield is a fantastic town, the storage experts at SecurCare put together the following article. It’s the seven best things about living in Bakersfield, California! There’s a lot of excellent information below we hope will help with your California city decision-making process. If California is on your radar, and you’d like to discover more about Bakersfield, read on! 

1. Bakersfield has Great Weather All Year

One of the very best things about living in Bakersfield, California, is that it has a Mediterranean climate. That means you’ll have hot, but not sweltering hot summers, and mild, snow-free winters. Here are a few of the other benefits you’ll receive, weather-wise, living in Bakersfield:

  • Over 270 sunny days every year, which means Bakersfield is perfect for outdoor activities year-round.
  • Mild winters that only last for a few weeks, with no snow or extreme cold.
  • An extra-long growing season which is perfect for farmers and amateur gardeners.

Yes, summers in Bakersfield can be hot, but all of the homes and businesses have air-conditioning. Still, you’ll be able to spend more days outside in Bakersfield than in many other American cities.

2. The Job Market in Bakersfield is Thriving

Like several California cities, Bakersfield has a thriving job market. The economy is strong and diverse and offers opportunities in several industries including:

  • Agriculture– Bakersfield has one of the biggest farming regions in all of California.
  • Oil and energy-The city is a major hub for oil production in the United States
  • Healthcare– There are several large hospitals offering stable employment to healthcare workers. There are also many medical centers in Bakersfield. 

3. There are Lots of Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Bakersfield

We already mentioned that the weather in Bakersfield is great for those who like life outdoors. There’s even more good news as Bakersfield is practically overflowing with outdoor activity opportunities.

From camping and fishing to hiking, biking, climbing, whitewater rafting, and more, you’ll find it here. Bakersfield is truly an outdoor adventurer’s dream city. Below are a few of the best locations for outdoor activities in the surrounding area, including:

  • The Kern River– This is a prime whitewater rafting area that is also perfect for picnicking and fishing.
  • Sequoia National Forest– If breathtaking natural beauty makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, you’ll be visiting Sequoia National Forest often.
  • Hart Memorail Park– A local favorite, this park is the perfect place for a relaxing walk at the end of the long day.

4. The Cuisine in Bakersfield is A Step Above

Although it’s not the biggest city in California, Bakersfield has a growing food scene. The city brings together a mix of classic and modern dining options for an exceptional dining experience. Some of the treats for your taste buds in Bakersfield include:

  • Authentic Mexican food– Locals will tell you that Bakersfield has some of the best tacos and burritos in California.
  • Basque cuisine– With one of the largest Basque communities in the country, Basque cuisine is very popular here.
  • Farm-to-table restaurants– Locally sourced ingredients are the name of the game in Bakersfield. There are farms literally surrounding the city and many restaurants source from them on a daily basis.

As you can see, whether you’re into casual dining or something more upscale, you’ll find plenty of choices in Bakersfield. 

5. Bakersfield is More Affordable than Many California Cities

Compared to California cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, Bakersfield is a homeowner’s dream. Housing costs are lower, including home prices and rent, and often significantly lower than many other California cities.

Utility bills in Bakersfield are also quite reasonable. The reason why is simple: the warm, dry Mediterranean climate keeps heating costs low in winter. It also helps to lower cooling costs in summer.

Lastly, everyday expenses in Bakersfield are a bit more budget friendly than most. That includes groceries, utilities, and entertainment prices. All are lower than some of the larger metro areas in the state.

6. There’s a Palpable Sense of Community in Bakersfield

One thing many Americans long for are the days when our towns, cities, and communities were close knit and connected. In Bakersfield, that word-of-mouth community spirit is still alive and well.

There’s a strong sense of community in the city that you’ll feel as soon as you arrive. Folks are friendlier, volunteers are plentiful, and social services are widely available. If giving and volunteering are part of your nature, Bakersfield will be perfect for you.

7. Bakersfield has Many Family-Friendly Attractions and Events

There’s good news for folks with kids as Bakersfield is a safe city with safe streets. Most residents here would agree that Bakersfield is a great place to raise a family, as the city has:

  • Excellent schools– Several of the public schools in Bakersfield are highly rated. You’ll also find some excellent private schools.
  • Many family friendly attractions– Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and McMurtrey Aquatic Center are just two of the family friendly attractions in the city. There’s also the California Living Museum (CALM) and many local parks and recreation areas.
  • Safe neighborhoods– Most of the suburban areas in Bakersfield are quiet, safe, and friendly.

Find Reliable Self Storage in Bakersfield, California

We think you’ll agree that, with excellent weather, affordability, natural beauty, and several other perks, Bakersfield is an attractive California option. We hope the seven Best things about living in Bakersfield have been eye-opening, interesting and helpful.

Here at SecurCare, we rent clean, secure storage units in Bakersfield, CA. If you decide to stay and need to store some of your belongings, you can easily reserve a Bakersfield storage unit online.

Here visiting with your RV? If yes, a Bakersfield storage unit can also store RVs as well as cars, trucks and boats. You can even store motorcycles and jet skis! If you visit Bakersfield to have a look around, we wish you the best of luck. If you’ve just arrived and plan to stay, welcome to your new California home!