If you travel two hours north of Los Angeles, you will come across Bakersfield, California, which is located near the Sequoia National Forest. The city is known for its Basque restaurants, arts district, antique row, and the Kern County Museum, which includes a group of more than 50 historic buildings, according to Visit California. Nearby the city is the 93,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve, which is a great place to enjoy nature’s bounty. The city is also famous for its country music stars Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, according to Up Homes. Unfortunately, it has a crime rate of 47 per 1,000 residents, which is high compared to other cities that are the same size. Needless to say, it’s a good idea to avoid walking alone in the downtown area at night.
Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of one per every 21 residents. Its overall crime rate is 54% higher than the national average, and it has been increasing over the past few years. Some of the worst parts of the city are the following neighborhoods: Lakeview, Rio Bravo, East Bakersfield, and Southgate. The city also has a problem with pollution, which affects the air quality. Notably, Bakersfield is part of Kern County, which produces 66% of the state’s oil. As a result, Bakersfield is a dangerous place for people who suffer from asthma and chronic lung issues.