Moving to Tehachapi...How do you like the area?

My Husband is a Paramedic and was just offered a higher paying job in Bakersfield with Hall ambulance. So we'll be relocating from orange county to Kern county area. I was researching Bakersfield and was not happy with the crime rates and having to be alone at home for 24 hour intervals with two small children (8 months and 3 years). My husband and I were researching alternatives and found Tehachapi and we both really liked what we saw, it reminds us both of Oak Glen. I used to live in Flagstaff Arizona and love smaller communities. My question is how do you like Tehachapi? Do you feel it's safe, and a good family city? Are the schools good and which schools do you recommend (my daughter will be starting preschool next year). Do you like the churches? Thank you!

I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. I lived in Bakersfied for about 10 years. I moved to Tehachapi in 2005 and I love it here. I have 1 child in school at Tompkins Elementary and I think it is a far better school than those in Long Beach or Bakersfield. I can't vouch for all churches here but mine is a very friendly place. You'll be surprised by total strangers saying hello or good morning even just walking down the street. It's a small town, but we like it here!

We, too, are looking to relocate to Tehachapi...from San Jose, CA. My husband works in Bakersfield and will need to commute there and back Tuesday-Friday. What's the commute like? How are the teachers @ Tompkins? Tompkins is rated 6 out of 10 stars (reatschools.net ) and our chilrens'(5 and 7) current elementary school is rated a 10...(SUPER hih CST scores). We can handle a lower rating if the teachers really challenge each student. We are entertaining the idea of a home on a couple acres in a quiet, conservative, mountain town where people are serious about living Christian principles... Thanks for you input!