Bakersfield Neighborhoods You Should Know About
Bakersfield Neighborhoods You Should Know About
In the past 11 years that John and I have been serving the Bakersfield community and it’s real estate needs, we’ve gotten to know the various neighborhoods that make up the city we call home. Each neighborhood has it’s own individual personality, style and taste that reflects the people that put down roots in these neighborhoods.
With relocation services being one of my areas of expertise, over time I’ve had a unique opportunity to look at Bakersfield's neighborhoods through the fresh eyes of those moving and relocating.
Whether you’re a Bakersfieldian that’s looking to buy or sell a home, or maybe you’re new to our growing city and looking to put down roots, I’ve put together insights into some of the cutest neighborhoods (Seven Oaks, Downtown, Oleander, Westchester and Olde Stockade - listed in no particular order) to help you with your next adventure - wherever that may be.
1. Seven Oaks
Community:
Seven Oaks Home (Photo taken by Curtis Nemetz)
The neighborhoods of Seven Oaks are modern, affluent, manicured and well maintained by local developer Castle and Cook. Seven Oaks is a community that encompasses a variety of neighborhoods to serve a variety of preferences for homeowners depending on their stage of life.
While this area is brimming with growing families from newly married to growing kids attending school, it also serves seasoned neighbors with a 55+ only community called The Greens.
One of the top reasons that Seven Oaks is so desirable is due to their impressive Country Club complete with an expansive golf course that has an additional nine holes, making it a 18 hole course. Even for those that don’t play golf, the homes located on the golf course having gorgeous views of the green and lake.
Specs:
Majority of the homes are newer construction that were built around the 1980s to 2000s. Even now development continues to grow and expand this gorgeous area.
These homes are typically larger with generous square footage upwards to around 4,000+ square feet, spacious lot sizes that offer large yards with pools and patios for gathers and wide streets.
Majority of these neighborhoods are gated providing controlled entrances into the neighborhood while your kids ride their bikes or play outside.
Nearby:
Nearby is the Marketplace, a beautifully designed local shopping center with a movie theater, large fountains, restaurants, salons and a mixture of both chain and locally owned shops. In the Summertime you can find local bands and artists performing outdoors for families of all ages every Thursday night. Grab an ice cream cone from a local shop, bring a blanket or chair and dance to local jazz and cover bands.
There are plenty of national chain restaurants nearby, as well as developed and maintained parks with the largest being Riverwalk Park complete with a bike path, amphitheater, large grassy areas and play areas.
For those with older kids getting ready to attend college, your kids can stay home and attend California State University of Bakersfield (CSUB) that’s just a short 15 minutes or so drive away.
Seven Oaks Country Club (Photo taken from official website)
Seven Oaks Highlights:
Price Range: $350,000 - 2 Million
Schools: Buena Vista Elementary, Earl Warren Jr. High, Stockdale High School
Parks: The Park At Riverwalk
Gated: Most areas that are gated, though some areas are not.
Nearby: The Marketplace, CSUB
Additional Perks: Seven Oaks Country Club, The Greens (55+ Community)
Zip Code: 93311
2. Downtown Bakersfield (Oleander + Westchester)
Community:
Westchester Bakersfield Neighborhood (Photo taken by Gregory Cook with the Bakersfield Californian)
Ok, I’ll admit that this isn’t just one neighborhood. But can you blame a girl for loving these adorably quaint communities near Downtown Bakersfield? While there is a difference between the neighborhoods of Downtown, Oleander and Westchester, they all share the same area of Bakersfield and the rich architecture and history distinguishes these homes.
This area has a special place in our hearts. Downtown Bakersfield is where Mr. G and I decided to put down roots after we became empty nesters. It’s easy to love each of these Downtown neighborhoods with their central locations, unique architecture and not to mention the lush and mature trees that line most neighborhood streets. Although, there is one thing that John and I love the most: the neighbors.
Downtown Bakersfield, Oleander and Westchester communities all contain a slice of the American pie. You'll love these neighborhoods where generous neighbors hand fruit from their trees over the backyard fence and stay for a quick chat, where kids still play in the streets after school and community parades are organized every year.
An old fashioned lifestyle has definitely been maintained in this area of Bakersfield. These neighborhoods offer a mixture of families from a variety of backgrounds that results in an extremely welcoming neighborhood.
Specs:
Many of the homes that make up these communities are historic aged over 100 years old. For those that are not historic, they are chalk full of charming character with original hardwood floors and one of a kind architecture that make the curb appeal unbelievable.
Most homes in this area were built in the early to mid 1900s and have since been renovated to include modern amenities while maintaining the old charm. Even though these homes are older, lot sizes tend to be spacious with space to host, enjoy cooking outdoors and room for the kids or grandkids to play.
Nearby:
Downtown Bakersfield streets are incredibly walkable. Lined with locally owned family shops and restaurants that some of which have been in business for many generations. One of our favorites is Mexicali Restaurant and their delicious margaritas.
Local coffee shops are walking distance from some neighborhoods, while others are a short five to ten minute bike ride away. Some of these quaint homes have been renovated and turned into offices for local businesses for hometown dentists, private doctors and restaurants such as the Guild House.
Westchester Bakersfield Neighborhood (Photo taken by Gregory Cook with the Bakersfield Californian)
Downtown Highlights:
Price Range: $200,000 - $700,000
Schools: Award winning Downtown Elementary, Bakersfield High School
Parks: Mill Creek Park
Gated: No
Nearby: Local coffee shops such as Cafe Smitten, family owned restaurants such as Mexicali Restaurant
Additional Perks: Old fashioned community feel
Zip Code: 93301, 93304
3. Olde Stockdale
Olde Stockdale (Photo taken by Mark Nessia with the Bakersfield Californian)
Community:
Olde Stockdale is a neighborhood that has seen generation after generation of families raise kids, celebrate holidays, graduations and countless games of golf in the Stockdale Country Club. This community is one that is rich in history and tradition.
Some of the new homebuyers in this community are ones who grew up in this neighborhood and want to give their own kids a chance to play in the same streets they did, go to an award winning school, Stockdale Elementary, and stay close to family and friends. Neighbors know each other by name and might even know their families as well.
The Stockdale Country Club is where families go to hang out with friends and fellow neighbors on the weekends, or for holiday get togethers like the Fourth of July.
Specs:
Olde Stockdale has a warm community feel that balances a generational, established vibe with a range of architecture between the 1930s and 2000s. The architecture varies and really provides an individual feel and caters to the taste of each homeowner. You won’t find any two homes that look alike in this community.
The homes in this neighborhood have a larger square footage around 2,000 - 5,000, not to mention larger lot sizes with generous backyards.
Nearby:
This neighborhood has a mixture of new and established businesses, made up of both chains and locally owned. Aside from the Country Club, this neighborhood is also close to downtown shops, the Marketplace and the Northwest Promenade.
Olde Stockdale Country Club (Photo taken from official website)
Olde Stockdale Highlights:
Price Range: $400,000 - 1 million
Schools: Award winning Stockade Elementary, top rated Fruitvale Junior High, Bakersfield High School, Private Schools
Parks: Kroll Park
Gated: No
Nearby: The Marketplace, Northwest Promenade
Additional Perks: Stockdale Country Club
Zip Code: 93309
Conclusion
These neighborhoods and communities, (Seven Oaks, Downtown, Oleander, Westchester and Olde Stockade), are just a few of the tight knit communities apart of Bakersfield, CA. There's something for every lifestyle in our growing city.
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Bakersfield, or relocate to Bakersfield, California give us a call and we'll find the right community for you.