[TheCommuter]

I lived in Bakersfield from 2003 to 2005, and loved living there. The city has swelled in population to about 400,000 as people move there in search of affordable housing and the American Dream.

It is not the most cosmopolitan or glamorous place in the world. In addition, some summer days can reach 115 degrees. I have never worked in any Bakersfield hospitals, so I don't have any info on working conditions.

[Sisukas]

Bakersfield has an evil hockey team

[Bluehair]

Update: DH interviews on on 4/9. Hopefully they won't make him wait too long to hear the results of the interview, i.e. hired vs not hired.
Where we live now it gets to 108 pretty consistently in the summer, and we're fine with that. Both of us are confirmed desert rats, tho I know Bakersfield isn't exactly desert. Regular trips to Death Valley NP look great to us if he ends up getting the job. Will keep you posted on 'the rest of the story'!

[horsenurse25]

I hope you speak spanish fluently...
We go there every year to visit family. I would say that Spanish speaking people are becoming the majority. My spanish is growing by leaps and bounds!!

[Mirasol]

I'm originally from a small town near Bakersfield and it is Hot, Hot, Hot in the summer and foggy and cold in the winter. Not the prettiest place in CA. I currently live in Ventura County. I was never a nurse in Bakersfield, but the experiences I've had as a patient and relative as a patient has not been the best. My sister who lives in Bakersfield drives to UCLA for all her medical needs. I think that sums up the kind of Doctors we've encountered there. I do know of a few good doc's but, I've seen a lot of quackery there as well. I think Jokerhill has it right, take a test drive before you commit!! The city is growing leaps and bounds and cost of living is less than Ventura County.

The other post are correct, pollution is horrible, and getting worse. Housing prices had been going up and are now on the down slide. Even though it is a big city the shopping is not so great. Lots of places to choose from for eating. Sorry i don't know anything about being a nurse in Bakersfield, but i hope this helps on a "living in Bakersfield" note.

[Bluehair]

Originally Posted by Mirasol

I'm originally from a small town near Bakersfield and it is Hot, Hot, Hot in the summer and foggy and cold in the winter. Not the prettiest place in CA. I currently live in Ventura County. I was never a nurse in Bakersfield, but the experiences I've had as a patient and relative as a patient has not been the best. My sister who lives in Bakersfield drives to UCLA for all her medical needs. I think that sums up the kind of Doctors we've encountered there. I do know of a few good doc's but, I've seen a lot of quackery there as well. I think Jokerhill has it right, take a test drive before you commit!! The city is growing leaps and bounds and cost of living is less than Ventura County.

The other post are correct, pollution is horrible, and getting worse. Housing prices had been going up and are now on the down slide. Even though it is a big city the shopping is not so great. Lots of places to choose from for eating. Sorry i don't know anything about being a nurse in Bakersfield, but i hope this helps on a "living in Bakersfield" note.

Thanks, Mirasol! Actually, it helps a lot. We used to live in Camarillo, so it's nice to have the comparison from someone with similar perspective!
DH interview is done, just waiting to hear what they decide. I think they still had 1-2 more to interview as of yesterday.
Hot is no problem, we are currently in a very hot part of the country, very remote, so any shopping is more than our current choice (= WalMart only). It will feel like we are moving to LA in a lot of ways, coming from here! LOL!
Thanks to EVERYONE for all the info!!! Will let you know the outcome once we hear.....

[Bako74]

Hi from sunny Bakersfield,
I currently live in a small town north of Bakersfield, but have lived in Bakersfield for years. I worked as a unit secretary for CHW Memorial Center part of Memorial Hospital until they closed in 2006. I loved working with most of the nurses.
There are a couple of more options other than CHW. Kern Medical Center which is county. San Joaquin Community Hospital, and a few Kaisers as well.
Housing is coming down. There are several nice apartment complexes. The Springs and Edgewater are nice. Bakersfield is growing. There's the Marketplace on Ming Ave that has great restaurants, movies, shopping, and a nice fountain. Hart Park and Lake Isabella are not far.
I love Kern County!
Good Luck!