True very true and at least you won't have to go out and will be content with the space at home and it will be safer

As long as the rental house wasn't previously used as a meth lab.

Did you? Which one?

Wicked.

I figured Bakersfield was worse, but had no idea its worse than Modesto, and I wouldn't live there for love or money
Yikes! poor family, moving to a cultural wasteland. maybe cowboys and rodeos and Mexican restaurants is what they are aiming for.

Thats a lot of money, you can get a house close to that big round here near the golf course for less than that a month.

Thanks for all your opinions. I will form my own once I arrive. I recently obtained my Ph.D and am looking to teach at the university or one of the colleges and my husband has a three-year position at the university. We educate our children privately, so we have lined up appointments at two or three private schools.
No place is all bad or all good. So there is no need to feel sorry for us -- 'poor family' -- and what is wrong with Mexican people? I recently met a wonderful Mexican family in London who were more widely travelled and cultured than most people. We are Catholic and have also met lovely Mexican families through church. I don't appreciate your racist comments.

Sorry, but I don't consider one passing reference to "Mexican restaurants" to be racist ...

... and good luck if your husband is going to be teaching at Cal State Fresno given the current state of the California budget ...

One post was blatantly racist about Mexicans. I am not worried about my husband's position, the Air Force is paying his wage So, as bad as you may try and make it sound, we are not worried. Isn'tt what you wanted to hear? Maybe I should have said that I am now desperately worried and panicking. Would that have made your day? I never asked for all these opinions; I just wondered if there were any Brits in Fresno. Now, I would actually rather meet local people.

Seriously - which one?

Have fun! Is that what you wanted to hear?

Its amazing how you formed a racist issue out of nothing. Perhaps you are worried.....

They will be when and if they find out their living next door or close to the local Mexican Mafia or Gang and there are many of them, you don't mess with them or go into their territory...I have Mexican friends and they have even told me what areas to stay away from in Modesto and to watch my back, they are even scared to venture into certain areas, yes this can happen anywhere in the world but its rife in this part of the world.

Why bother posting on a public message board when you get so defensive when the responses aren't what you seem to want to hear? Have you ever been to Fresno?

Nothing that has been said on here is in any way racist.

Do you not think it is better to know a little about the area before you arrive with 2 young kids. Better to worry and sort out good/bad areas before you get here to find your new house in the middle of gang territory.

I am not sure that saying
is exactly "blatantly racist" - more a description of the area.

I don't think people are trying to make it sound bad or make you worried, however unlike yourself most of us have actually been to Fresno (& Bakersfield ) and are merely pointing out it's not a premium kind of place within California. I am sure you'll be able to find somewhere suitable in the area, but don't think there are many Brits living in and around Fresno.