East Niles is a small town on the east side of Bakersfield. The city of Bakersfield is already known for having some of the lowest home prices in Southern California, but prices in East Niles are even lower. "There are so many options here for people looking for a starter single-family home," says Realtor William Gordon with Watson Realty, who was born and raised in Bakersfield and has been selling here since the early 2000s. The main reason prices are lower here is because it's a little less than 10 miles from downtown Bakersfield. However, recent development has made it feel less removed. "It's still a quiet, outskirts community, but now that state Route 58 connects this area to west Bakersfield, it feels closer than ever," says Gordon.
Plenty of starter home options
The city's median home price is about $320,000, which is less than Bakersfield's already low median of $400,000 — the median price across broader California is around $900,000. Residential streets make up most of the city, with ranch-style and small new traditional homes being the dominant options for the median price. They sit in a suburban layout on uniform midsize lots with a bit of front and backyard space. At the low end of the range, manufactured homes can be found for less than $50,000. Outside of the concentration of residential streets, some homes sit on an acre of land and cost around $800,000.
Strip malls and Mexican eateries
Niles Plaza on East Niles Street is the city's only shopping center. It has essential grocery stores, pharmacies and fast-casual eateries. The town's main thoroughfares are also home to some of the best authentic Mexican food in the Bakersfield area. "This corridor has some of the most legit Mexican food in town, and I don't say that lightly," says Gordon. A few miles north, there's a Target and other department stores around Country Club Plaza.
Community parks and hiking in the Sequoia National Forest
The region's arid climate isn't friendly to greenery, especially in July and August, when temperatures can easily reach 100 degrees. Still, East Niles has community recreation spaces like Pioneer Park, which has basketball courts, a playground and a Little League field. Bakersfield Country Club is a private option for golfers, a short drive north. Aside from golf, the club has a complete clubhouse, pool and tennis facilities. Hiking trails are accessible across the plains north and east of the city. Sequoia National Forest is 60 miles east. Its peaks, like Breckenridge Mountain, have miles of wooded trails.
Bakersfield City School District
Two school districts serve East Niles. Elementary and middle schools are part of the Bakersfield City School District, which is graded a C overall by Niche. High schools are within the Kern High School District, rated a B-plus. C-rated Foothill High is the city's central high school.
Medical employers in Bakersfield
East Niles is in Kern County, one of California's top oil and agricultural-producing counties, which can be seen across the farms and drilling fields surrounding the area. Healthcare is the other prominent field here, with multiple hospitals nearby. Kern Medical Hospital is a few minutes west of East Niles, and Adventist Health is less than 10 miles west in downtown Bakersfield. Driving is the typical transportation method here, but there are bus routes along the city's main thoroughfares. Amtrak travels through the Bakersfield Train Station downtown, while the closest airline outlet is Meadows Field Airport, 15 miles north. Los Angeles is the nearest major city, 120 miles south, by taking State Route 58 west to Interstate 5.
Fighting drought conditions
This region regularly experiences prolonged periods of drought, especially during the sweltering summers. Neighboring Bakersfield has implemented water conservation measures since 2021 to combat the lack of rainfall. East Niles also encourages residents to conserve water usage and provides tips on its website. The Bakersfield Police Department's East Bakersfield Substation serves East Niles. Specific crime statistics aren't available.
Written By
Ed Coombs
Video By
Mallory Nolte
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East Niles Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Niles, CA sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in East Niles, CA over the last 12 months is $289,990, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
William Gordon is a graduate of the University of California – Riverside with a degree in finance. William is the Team Lead of The Gordon Team at Watson Realty in Bakersfield, CA. By leveraging the latest in marketing tools and by utilizing a hands-on approach to the sale of each property, The Gordon Team assists their Seller clients in effectively selling their homes for top dollar. On the Buyer side, The Gordon Team provides concierge showing services for clients 7 days a week along with negotiation for the best price and terms once you find the best home for your needs! Give us a call today to start moving forward towards YOUR real estate goals!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
