Fresno, Why Did I Come Back to You?

Some may call me a Fresnan boomerang, but let’s be real: Fresno feels more like a black hole, relentlessly pulling back those who dare to leave and ensnaring anyone who once called it home. I’ve worked in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Colorado, Indiana, and even Canada. You might say my young life has been like a .

Along the way, I’ve soaked in diverse cultures, had wild adventures, and truly felt the soul of North America. I miss the quiet charm of rural Kentucky, the vibrant food scene in Atlanta, the nightlife buzz of Tennessee, leaving Ohio, and the breathtaking beauty of Niagara Falls (from the Canadian side, of course). These experiences remind me that Fresno can be more than a place people feel compelled to leave.

It has the potential to be the city people want to stay in. Am I a Glutton for Punishment? Here, jobs don’t pay well while costs keep climbing compared to the rest of California. The housing market may seem affordable but when it comes to homeownership.

Renting is even worse with recent data shows that The sense of community feels elusive, outdoor activities are stifled by the relentless heat, and the food scene? It feels stuck in a time capsule, years behind any place outside the Central Valley (though the food truck vibes are amazing). Related Story: When I tell people I live in Fresno, they often apologize, expressing sympathy for my situation. Yet, t.