The town of Arvin, in Kern County California, has been a favorite filming location with Hollywood studios. Its locales and landscape have appeared in many a western and classics such as Grapes of Wrath. Remember the Weedpatch?
Located at the foothill of Bear Mountain, Arvin has a population of around 19,300, per the 2010 U.S. Census. The city is less than half an hour's drive from Bakersfield, the county seat. If living in an area with acres of orchards laden with citrus and grapes brings a smile to your face, then Arvin it is for you. The city's agriculture-driven economy is on target to continue developing jobs to help the surrounding economy.
Great! Here are the bare essentials that you'd want to know about Arvin before you call the movers and packers. You get a bigger bang for your buck in Arvin. The cost of living here is lower than the average for the country. It gets better -- property appreciates at 4.32 percent, more than double the average national rate. A useful tidbit to know--just in case you wish to invest in property here: with 43.95 percent of the residents choosing rental accommodation, there is a home for rent in Arvin for all comers to the city. While you wouldn't want leave home without locking your doors and a burglar alarm installed in your furnished apartments would help with your insurance rates, you will be living in a city with low crime rates. Almost seven out of ten commutes to the office are accomplished in under 30 minutes by car. Arvin Transit provides bus services for intra-city travel as well as regular ferries to Lamont and Tejon Ranch. You can even reserve rides courtesy of the thoughtfully provided Dial-a-Ride service. And do remember to carry exact change. The spacious and tastefully done Summerset Apartments at 668 S. Comanche Drive deserve a mention. Rents for three and four bedroom apartments are around a good percentage lower than the average for Arvin. Residents here can shop at Haven Market, indulge at Canton Caf, and work it out at either Smothermon Park or Di Giorgio Park.
City Center: The City Center is an in-demand residential address with a scant vacancy rate. A central location and lower rent prices than in other neighborhoods make it understandably attractive. If you prefer rental apartments in the urban setting of this neighborhood, then you have your work cut out.
E Bear Mountain Boulevard: Much of the action in Arvin is to be found in this neighborhood. Burger King outlets, Arvin Union School District, Arvin Dollar Mart and the ever-popular Jarritos Mexican Restaurant are just some of the useful spots within walking distance from furnished apartments in E Bear Mountain Blvd.
S Derby St.: Single-family homes and small apartments dot the real estate landscape of this suburban neighborhood. The friendly folks here are environmentally conscious and big on carpooling. Many people carpool, at a higher percentage than that of almost any other place in America.
Di Giorgio: Property rates in Di Giorgio have seen the highest rate of appreciation over the past decade. Vacancy rates are higher than in other neighborhoods. Constructions here are newer than in other parts of Arvin.
Living in Arvin offers the great attraction of year-round fresh farm produce. The Kern County Fair in nearby Bakersfield is hive of continual activity all-year round: fundraisers, expos, rodeos, music fests, auto shows -- the list goes on. The Indian Point Ostrich Ranch in Tehachapi is a short 30-minute drive from Arvin. Learn about the largest bird on earth while taking in the beauty of endless vistas of the Cummings Valley area. And if every once in a while you feel the itch to catch some excitement in The Big Orange, then you're less than a two-hour drive away from world-class entertainment, food, events and sport. Because L.A has enough of and more of everything for everybody.