"It has always been my private conviction that any man who puts his intelligence up against a fish and loses had it coming." -- John Steinbeck
There are great spots in Kings County to test your intelligence against those fish. Kings River in Lemoore, CA, is one and there are plenty more in nearby Yosemite and Sequoia. Lemoore itself was established on the northern shoreline of Lake Tulare in the San Joaquin Valley. The bad news is that the lake has been dried out for some time. The good news is that Lemoore didn't dry out with it, and more than 30,000 acres of rich, dark soil was left behind. Pistachios and almond trees are happy here, along with cherries, peaches, and grapes. Certified organic farmers markets are very popular and draw many of the 24,531 residents hungry for fresh produce and live music to downtown's historic Front Street every week.
Moving to Lemoore
How Much Will it Cost?
While really low rates and furnished apartments are rare, almost 44.6% of people in Lemoore are renters, so you won't be lonely. You'll have members of the military to keep you company, because many of the personnel from nearby Lemoore Naval Air Station will be looking there, and they'll have housing orders. Deposits are usually based on your credit history and the condition of the unit you choose. Most deposits are less than one month's rent. Water and trash are usually included, but if you want cable TV and movie channels, you're on your own.
When Should I Start Looking?
You should probably start your search for places to rent at least four to six weeks out from your proposed move-in date. You could find something sooner, but if you don't, you might find yourself spending a lot of time sparring with those fish.
What Do I Need to Move There?
You'll need the "usual" to secure apartments for rent in Lemoore. Have your credit score, letter verifying employment and salary and a copy of your last paycheck stub. When it gets serious, you'll need cash in the form of a cashier's or bank check. Prepare to pay first month's rent, which shouldn't be more than 30% of your take home pay, and that good old security deposit.
Where Should I Look?
City Center and Cimarron/Halls Corner: These two areas have larger houses to rent, but are a little on the pricier side. Many government employees and military personnel call these areas of Lemoore home.
Gepford: This area boasts a more rural atmosphere with room to stretch and space to grow. It offers mostly studio and two bedroom apartments and homes to rent. While it is a little distant from shopping and the downtown area, the space here sure is nice.
Your commute to work will probably be about the same from most areas in town if you work for one of the nearby larger employers. You can count on about 15-30 minutes of drive time.
Life in the City
There's not much to do in Lemoore. There is, however, a lot to do nearby. Fishing, camping, and hiking in the national parks surrounding the area are all favorite weekend past-times. Fresno is the largest city in the area and it's about 45 minutes away, which is just about right if you're going to kick up your heels away from your neighbors. Lots of shopping, dining, and nightlife await you in the "big city." Pismo Beach with its famous 4-wheel drive hill climbs is a two hour drive west -- close enough for day trips, far enough away for weekends.
Lemoore's Sarah Anne Mooney Memorial Museum is housed in a lovely vintage 1890s Victorian house formerly owned and donated by the family. It even has its original brick outhouse, re-plumbed for modern convenience. Museum exhibitions highlight Lemoore's olden times with replicas of a typical kitchen and changing exhibits about life in the past.
The historical downtown area near Front (E) and D Streets has recently been revitalized. Quaint cafes cluster in this area. Tempura spicy salmon rolls and boba can be found at Boba's Island on E street. For the best homemade tortillas in the Valley, La Iquana's on Lemoore Avenue is terrific. Great prices, great portion sizes -- if you're starving, this is where you want to be.
Things are looking up in Lemoore when you have a multiplex sporting 3D capabilities, THX, Dolby Digital, and Stadium Seating with reclining plush leather seating. It's like when Mayberry got its first filling station and Gomer got his first job pumping gas.
For more peaceful natural surroundings, Lemoore has some charming parks with shelters and gazebos to make your picnic perfect. There are also tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits and even an indoor walking track in the Parks and Recreation building at City Center Park.
The Lemoore Naval Air Station and the Laprino Foods Processing Plant add much to the community's economy and thriving workforce. If you like pizza, then you'll appreciate that Laprino Foods is where most mozzarella cheese comes from -- the company is the country's largest producer of the tasty pizza topping.
Getting Around
Cars are king here. This is a rural community and buses pretty much are confined to downtown. A car is a necessity here as in most parts of California.
You almost can't get there from here if you don't drive. How else are you going to stop at all those roadside stands selling fresh strawberries, grapes and corn?
