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Vision 2020 Greater Bakersfield: Image in California

Vision 2020 Greater Bakersfield: Image in California. AUGUST 2002. www.cogentresearch.com. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY STRATEGIC SUMMARY RESEARCH FINDINGS Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield Attitudes of Consumers Tourism Relocation Retirement Attitudes of Businesses

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Vision 2020 Greater Bakersfield: Image in California

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  1. Vision 2020Greater Bakersfield: Image in California AUGUST 2002 www.cogentresearch.com

  2. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Businesses • Demographic Profiles

  3. OBJECTIVES This quantitative study is Phase II of a two-phase project. The purpose of this study is to measure: • The needs of California residents with regard to tourism, relocation, and retirement • The needs of California businesses with regard to relocation • California residents’ and business persons’ perceptions of Bakersfield

  4. METHODOLOGY • Population: Residents (Random Sample) • Business Persons (Expansion Management magazine subscribers) • Area: California • Methodology: Phone • Data Collection Period: July 9 - July 26 • Sample Size (error): Residents n=400 (+ 4.90 pp) • Business Persons n=400 (+ 4.90 pp) Residents were not asked all questions in the survey. For some batteries of questions, residents were split into “tourist,” “relocater,” and “retiree” groups. References to question numbers in two questionnaires, labeled QC# for the consumer questionnaire and QB# for the business questionnaire, appear throughout this report.

  5. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Businesses • Demographic Profiles

  6. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Familiarity with Bakersfield positively affects perceptions Confirming our qualitative findings, consumers who have spent time in Bakersfield, who have family and friends who live in Bakersfield, or who have had the opportunity to get to know the people that live there have a more favorable impression of the community. In addition, business people who have a favorable impression of Bakersfield most often attribute it to visiting the city. A significant proportion of both consumers and business persons report very limited knowledge of Bakersfield. In many cases, their lack of knowledge and experience results in their having little or no impression of the city. Over a third of both groups say that their overall impression of Bakersfield is neither unfavorable nor favorable.

  7. STRATEGIC SUMMARY As we saw in the qualitative interviews, people’s perception of Bakersfield changed when they learned more about what the city has to offer. For example, a common perception among consumers is that there is “nothing to do” in Bakersfield. However, when they are read messages about the various activities available, many say they would be more likely to visit the city. In addition, most business persons are unaware of the quality and availability of Bakersfield’s labor force. After hearing messages about the labor force, they say they would be more likely to relocate their company to Bakersfield. These misconceptions and lack knowledge present a great opportunity for Bakersfield to positively change its target markets’ perceptions through education and strategic communication.

  8. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Perceived Strengths of Bakersfield Cost of living and housing The perception that cost of living and housing is a strength of Bakersfield is held among people looking to relocate, people who may be retiring in the near future, and business persons. In particular, the message about the cost of housing makes business people more likely to consider relocating to Bakersfield. Friendliness of people The friendliness of the people who live in Bakersfield is perceived as better than in other communities. This is an important feature for people looking to relocate to another community. Ability to offer a “change of pace” This is a factor that tourists look for when choosing a community to visit and one which they believe Bakersfield can provide better than other communities.

  9. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Restaurants Bakersfield’s restaurants are perceived as being better than those of other communities. The quality of an area’s restaurants is important to tourists. Cost of land and labor Businesses are most likely to relocate in order to reduce costs and because growth of the company has created a need for a larger facility. In particular, the cost of labor weighs relatively heavily in their relocation decision. Bakersfield’s cost of land and labor is perceived as better than that of other communities. Accessibility to highways Accessibility to highways, which is important in business relocation decisions, is perceived as better in Bakersfield than in other communities.

  10. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Perceived Weaknesses of Bakersfield Weather Bakersfield’s hot, dry weather was found to have a negative impact on both consumers’ and business persons’ impressions of the city. Weather is perceived as being very important by all groups. In several instances, Bakersfield’s weather has prevented tourists from visiting and relocaters from moving there. Cultural and recreational activities Bakerfield’s night life, and cultural and recreational activities are perceived as being worse than in other communities. Such activities are very important to tourists, and influential in their decisions about where to visit. Importantly, when read messages about the activities Bakersfield has to offer, the majority of participants say that the information makes them more likely to visit. The fact that survey paticipants respond favorably to information about culture and recreation in Bakersfield is consistent with qualitative findings.

  11. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Career and higher educations opportunities Consumers who are likely to relocate within the next two years are driven to do so for career and educational opportunities. Those who are unlikely to relocate to Bakersfield cite the job market as one of the reasons. Not surprisingly, messages about the higher education institutions in Bakersfield make potential relocaters more likely to want to move to there. Medical care The availability of and quality of medical care are deemed the most important factors to people looking for somewhere to retire. In general, Bakerfield’s medical care is perceived as worse than that of other communities.

  12. STRATEGIC SUMMARY The quality of labor force Labor, particularly its availability, is among the most important factors that businesses consider when deciding where to relocate to. Work ethic of the labor force is important to businesses. However, the work ethic of Bakersfield’s labor force is not perceived as relatively strong. Not surprisingly, the message about the strength of Bakersfield’s labor force makes businesses more likely to want to relocate there. Location Businesses feel they need to be closer to other areas, or closer to their established markets and customer bases, and seem unsure about the business opportunities in Bakersfield.

  13. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Recommendations There are several areas in which Bakersfield is living up to consumers’ and businesses’ expectations and needs. We recommend that Bakersfield continue to concentrate on excelling in these areas and communicating its excellence in these areas to the appropriate groups. There are also a number of areas that are important to consumers and businesses which are perceived as being worse in Bakersfield than in other communities. In several cases, both consumers and businesses are simply unaware of what Bakersfield has to offer. These misconceptions can be corrected by educating people about Bakersfield’s true strengths. This study explored the needs and perceptions of several different groups of people including tourists, people looking to relocate, people who may being retiring in the near future, and business persons. We recommend addressing the disparate needs of each of these groups with the messages that will be most relevant to them. The specific recommendations for each of these groups follow.

  14. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Tourists • Educate consumers about the recreational and cultural activities Bakersfield has to offer. Let them know that there are, in fact, many “things to do” in Bakersfield and that there are many reasons to visit. • Highlight Bakersfield’s superior restaurants and the “change of pace” from regular life it can offer to tourists. Relocaters • Educate consumers about the abundant job opportunities and higher education opportunities in Bakersfield. • Educate consumers about the quality of Bakersfield’s public education. • Promote Bakersfield’s low crime rate, low cost of living, and low cost of housing. • Promote the friendliness of the people who live in the Bakersfield community. • Concentrate less on promoting Bakersfield’s central location.

  15. STRATEGIC SUMMARY Retirees • Educate older consumers about the quality and availability of medical care in Bakersfield. • Promote the affordable cost of living. Businesses • Educate business persons about the stability, availability, skills, and work ethic of Bakersfield’s labor force. • Educate businesses about Bakersfield’s accessibility to major markets. • Promote the affordability of labor, living, and housing in Bakersfield. • Promote the abundance of affordable land available in and around Bakersfield. • Promote Bakersfield’s accessibility to major highways.

  16. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Businesses • Demographic Profiles

  17. Perceptions of Bakersfield are consistent across both consumers and businesses. The largest proportion of consumers and businesses in fact have no impression of Bakersfield. In addition, those with unfavorable views outweigh those with favorable views. Overall Perception of Bakersfield CONSUMERS BUSINESS Subgroup analysis: Business persons who have been to Bakersfield within the past year have a more favorable impression than those who have not been there in the past year. QC2, QB1. What is your overall perception of Bakersfield, California? Please use a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “very unfavorable” and 5 is “very favorable.”

  18. Among both groups, perceptions of Fresno are similar to perceptions of Bakersfield. Perceptions of Los Angeles are slightly more favorable. Overall Perception of Other Cities CONSUMERS BUSINESS Fresno Los Angeles QC3, QB2. What is your overall perception of Fresno, California? QC4, QC3. What is your overall perception of Los Angeles, California?

  19. Factors Shaping Perception of Bakersfield Consumers with favorable impressions of Bakersfield seem to be most influenced by the people who live there. The majority of consumers with negative impressions of Bakersfield are influenced by the weather. They also mention a lack of “things to do.” CONSUMERS • FAVORABLE: n=80 • Family/friends there 26% • Good people/community 18% • Other activities 13% • Restaurants or shopping 11% • Hot, dry weather 10% • Only drove through 9% • Appearance/cleanliness 9% • A previous visit 4% • The cost of living 4% • Educational institutions 3% • UNFAVORABLE: n=165 • Hot, dry weather 55% • Dull/boring/nothing to do 23% • Dirty town 14% • Not impressed/don't like it 12% • Only drove through 8% • Crime/drugs 7% • Family/friends there 7% • A previous visit 3% • Never been there 2% • Other 11% QC45. You mentioned before that your perception of Bakersfield is (answer Q2). What experiences or information helped form this perception?

  20. Factors Shaping Perception of Bakersfield Business persons have favorable impressions of Bakersfield from visiting the community and from reading about it and are impressed by the business opportunities for their industry. Those with negative impressions cite the weather and isolated location as influential. BUSINESS • FAVORABLE: n=82 • Have visited Bakersfield 17% • Business opportunities/industry 13% • Have read or heard about it 12% • New development/nice housing 11% • Have only driven through 10% • Used to live/work there 7% • Rural community/not a big city 5% • Weather 4% • Family/Friends 2% • Agricultural/Farming/Oil industry 2% • Location 1% • Other 34% • Don't know/refused 4% • UNFAVORABLE: n=166 • Weather/hot/dry 42% • Location/desolate/isolated 22% • Bad business opportunity 14% • Have only driven through 12% • Have visited Bakersfield 10% • Agricultural/Farming/Oil industry 7% • Not a lot to do 4% • Have read or heard about it 4% • Used to live/work there 4% • Smog/fog 3% • Dirty/wasn't clean 3% • Too much desert 2% • Crime/corrupt police system 2% • Family/Friends 2% • Lack of education 1% • Rural community/not a big city 1% • Never been there 1% • Other 23% QB27. You mentioned before that your perception of Bakersfield is (answer Q1). What experiences or information helped form this perception?

  21. Over three-quarters of both consumers and business persons have visited Bakersfield. Over a third have visited within the past year. Visits to Bakersfield CONSUMERS BUSINESS Within last year37% Within last 5 years29% Within last 10 years15% Within last 20 years11% Over 20 years ago9% Within last year43% Within last 5 years30% Within last 10 years14% Within last 20 years9% Over 20 years ago5% Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) are less likely than older consumers to have been to Bakersfield. People who live in Los Angeles county are less likely to have been to Bakersfield than those who live elsewhere in California. Subgroup analysis: Business persons with a more favorable impression are more likely to have been to Bakersfield within the past year. Q40C, Q22B. Have you ever been to Bakersfield, California? Q41C, Q23B. When was the last time you were in Bakersfield?

  22. The majority of consumers and business persons feel “the southern part of the Central Valley” best describes Bakersfield’s location. Perception of Bakersfield’s Location CONSUMERS BUSINESS Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) are more likely than older consumers to feel “the northern part of southern California” better describes Bakersfield. QC42, QB24. Which of the following best describes Bakersfield’s location?

  23. The majority of consumers and business persons are aware that Bakersfield is located in Kern County. Awareness of Bakersfield’s Location CONSUMERS BUSINESS Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) are less aware than older consumers. QC43, QB25. Are you aware that Bakersfield is located in Kern County?

  24. There is a slightly larger proportion of people who have a more favorable impression of “Kern County” than those who prefer “Greater Bakersfield.” However, the largest proportion of people do not have a preference between the two labels. Impression of Location Descriptions CONSUMERS BUSINESS QC44, QB26. Which description of the area do you have a more favorable impression of?

  25. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Businesses • Demographic Profiles

  26. The vast majority of consumers travel between one and five times a year. Almost a quarter of them travel over five times a year. Frequency of Leisure Travel CONSUMERS Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) travel for leisure more often. QC5. How often do you travel for leisure?

  27. Factors Influencing Tourism Choices Tourists most often consider the cultural activities/entertainment and the weather when evaluating places to visit. CONSUMERS • The cultural activities/entertainment available 31% • The weather of the area 25% • The cleanliness of the area 17% • The safety of the area 16% • The scenery 13% • The outdoor recreational activities available 13% • The proximity/location 10% • The quality/friendliness of the people/community 9% • The restaurants 9% • The presence of family or friends living there 8% • The hotels and accommodations 8% • The historical sites in the area 8% • The population density/number of tourists 6% • The activities available for children and families 5% • The cost involved 5% • The shopping available in the area 5% • The traffic/roadways/transportation 4% • Other 11% Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) are more likely than older consumers to consider the safety of the area and the outdoor recreational activities. Older consumers(55+) are more likely to consider presence of family and friends. Single people are more likely than married people to consider the friendliness of the people. Married people and people 35-54 are more likely than other groups to consider activities for children and families. People from northern California are more likely to consider the scenery than people who live elsewhere. QC6. When you are evaluating a community as a place to visit, what are the most important factors you consider?

  28. Mean 4.22 The weather 3.82 The outdoor recreational activities available 3.81 The restaurants 3.73 The area's ability to provide you with a change of pace from your regular life 3.61 The cultural activities available 3.45 The activities available for children and families 3.50 The hotels and accommodations 3.59 The historical sites in the area The shopping opportunities in the area 3.35 3.15 The transportation available in the area 2.88 The night life the area offers The weather, the outdoor recreational activities, and the restaurants are most important to consumers when they are deciding what communities to visit. Factors Influencing Tourism Choices n=307 5- Very Important 4 Subgroup analysis: Outdoor recreational activities, shopping, “change of pace,” night life, and job opportunities are more important to younger consumers. Historical sites, cultural activities, friendliness of people, and weather are more important to older consumers. QC8-18. Now, I’m going to read a list of factors that might influence someone’s decision to visit a certain community. Please tell me how important each factor is to you. Please rate each factor on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “Not important at all” and 5 is “Very important.”

  29. The majority of consumers are very unlikely to visit Bakersfield within the next year, while over a quarter are at least somewhat likely to do so. Likelihood to Visit Bakersfield CONSUMERS Subgroup analysis: Consumers who have been to Bakersfield recently are more likely to visit again. People who live in Central and South Central California are more likely to visit Bakersfield than those who live elsewhere in California. QC46. How likely are you to visit Bakersfield within the next year?

  30. Reasons Preventing Visiting Bakersfield Consumers who are unlikely to visit Bakersfield feel they have no reason to do so. Other barriers, such as location and weather, are rarely top of mind. CONSUMERS n=338 • No reason to visit/not interested 66% • Location 11% • Will only come for family/friends 7% • Weather/too hot 7% • Family moved/no longer lives there 5% • Health issues/age 4% • Only go for business 3% • “Trashy” place 2% • Other 5% QC47. (If Q46<5) Why aren’t you more likely to visit to Bakersfield?

  31. Across most factors, in particular weather and night life, Bakersfield is perceived to be below average compared with other communities in California. Bakersfield’s strength as a tourist destination is its ability to offer tourists a “change of pace.” Somewhat worse Much worse Somewhat better Much better Ratings of Bakersfield TOURISTS n=307 Neutral categories not shown The area's ability to provide you with a “change of pace” The restaurants The shopping opportunities in the area The weather The hotels and accommodations The outdoor recreational activities available The activities available for children/families The cultural activities available The historical sites in the area The transportation available in the area The night life the area offers Subgroup analysis: Consumers who have been to Bakersfield recently perceive activities for families, shopping, and restaurants to be better. QC50-60. Now, I’m going to repeat a list of factors that might be used to evaluate a community as a place to visit. For each factor, please tell me whether you consider Bakersfield much worse, somewhat worse, about the same, somewhat better, or much better than other communities in California that you are familiar with.

  32. Importance vs. Performance The chart on the following page illustrates how well Bakersfield performs with regard to the factors which may influence a person’s decision to visit a community. Items are plotted from bottom to top in increasing order of importance and from left to right in increasing order of Bakerfield’s perceived performance. Upper-Left Quadrant: High Importance, Lower Performance. This is perhaps the most critical area for Bakersfield because it demonstrates areas that are very important to consumers and in which Bakersfield is perceived as worse than other communities. Upper-Right Quadrant: High Importance, Higher Performance. Items is this quadrant represent those for which Bakersfield is living up to consumers’ expectations. While there is no indication that Bakersfield’s performance is in need of improvement, it should continue to make these areas a priority. Lower-Right Quadrant: Low Importance, Higher Performance. Items in this quadrant represent those for which Bakersfield is exceeding expectations. Lower-Left Quadrant: Low Importance, Lower Performance. Bakersfield’s performance in these areas is relatively low. However, because they are less important to consumers, there is less reason to be concerned.

  33. Areas of high importance and lower performance include weather and outdoor recreational activities. Areas of high importance and higher performance include restaurants and ability to offer a “change of pace.” Consumer Importance/ Performance Matrix TOURISTS High Importance Lower Performance High Importance Higher Performance Importance Mean = 57% (Top 2 Box) Low Importance Lower Performance Low Importance Higher Performance Performance Mean = 14% (Top 2 Box)

  34. Potential tourists are more influenced by messages about the outdoor recreational activities and cultural activities in Bakersfield. Reactions to Messages Much more likely Somewhat more likely TOURISTS n=307 Bakersfield has abundant outdoor recreational activities such as golf courses, bike paths, white water rafting, camping, fishing, water sports, etc Bakersfield's cultural activities include annual Jazz and Film Festivals Bakersfield's entertainment activities include several race tracks, from NASCAR to drag racing, and concerts from a variety of entertainers such as Elton John, Jewel and Buck Owens to Korn, Blink 182 and Tool Bakersfield and Kern County are centrally located-no more than two hours from downtown Los Angeles-or four hours from either San Diego or San Francisco Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) found the message about entertainment more appealing than older consumers did. QC82-85. I’m going to read you some statements about Bakersfield, California. Please tell me whether each statement makes you less likely, neither less nor more likely, or more likely to consider visiting there.

  35. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Businesses • Demographic Profiles

  36. Almost a quarter of consumers are likely to relocate within the next two years. Likelihood to Relocate CONSUMERS Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) and single people are more likely to relocate than older and married consumers. QC7. How likely are you within the next two years to permanently relocate to another community beside the one where you currently reside?

  37. Factors Influencing Decision to Relocate Consumers who plan on relocating are most likely doing so for career or educational opportunities. CONSUMERS n=93 • Employment/career opportunities 35% • Schools/college 17% • Family reasons 12% • Population/crowding issues 10% • Weather/temperature 9% • Looking for a change/something better 6% • Cost of living 6% • Safety issues 5% • Age/retirement 5% • Looking for a new home 4% • Environment/scenery 2% • Want to move back to previous home 2% • Other 14% QC7a. What are the main reasons prompting you to consider relocating?

  38. The area's crime rate The cost of housing The job opportunities available The overall cost of living The area's air quality The friendliness of the people who live in the area The higher education opportunities The quality of the public education system The weather The outdoor recreational activities available The cultural activities available The shopping opportunities in the area The activities available for children and families The night life the area offers The ethnic and cultural diversity of the people The crime rate, the cost of housing and overall cost of living, and the available job opportunities are the most influential factors in a consumer’s decision to relocate to a certain community. Factors Influencing Relocation Choices 5- Very Important 4 n=93 Mean 4.38 4.29 4.22 4.20 4.18 4.08 4.06 4.03 4.02 3.67 3.66 3.58 3.52 3.42 3.39 Subgroup analysis: Job opportunities and nightlife are more important to single people. The weather and the friendliness of people who live in the community are more important to people over 55. The cost of housing is more important to people 35-54. QC19-33. Now, I’m going to read a list of factors that might influence someone’s decision to relocate to a certain community. Please tell me how important each factor is to you. Please rate each factor on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “Not important at all” and 5 is “Very important.”

  39. Among consumers who are likely to relocate within the next two years, just 5% are likely to move to Bakersfield. Likelihood to Relocate to Bakersfield CONSUMERS n=93 QC48. (IF Q7 = 4,5) How likely are you to consider moving to Bakersfield within the next two years?

  40. Reasons Preventing Relocating to Bakersfield Consumers who are unlikely to move to Bakersfield feel they have no reason to do so. They also mention the weather and the job market. CONSUMERS n=83 • Have no reason to move there 19% • The weather/heat 18% • The job market/business 17% • The lack of entertainment or activities 13% • The geographic location 12% • The location of family and friends 10% • Too far from the beach 6% • Not familiar with the area 6% • Other 15% • Don't know 4% Subgroup analysis: Younger consumers (18-34) are more likely to be prevented by the job market. Older consumers (55+) are more likely to be prevented by the weather. QC49. What prevents you from being more likely to consider Bakersfield?

  41. Bakersfield’s cost of living and housing and the friendliness the people who live there are it greatest strengths as a community to relocate to. Areas considered weaker are the job opportunities, night life, and cultural activities. Somewhat worse Much worse Somewhat better Much better Ratings of Bakersfield RELOCATERS n=93 Neutral categories not shown The cost of housing The overall cost of living The area's air quality The friendliness of the people The area's crime rate The weather The outdoor recreational activities The shopping opportunities The activities available for children/families The ethnic and cultural diversity The quality of the public education system The night life the area offers The higher education opportunities The job opportunities available The cultural activities available Q61-75. Now, I’m going to repeat a list of factors that might be used to evaluate a community as a place to live. For each factor, please tell me whether you consider Bakersfield much worse, somewhat worse, about the same, somewhat better, or much better than other communities in California that you are familiar with.

  42. As the chart shows, among perceived weaknesses, weather, job and higher education opportunities and public education are considered most important. Consumer Importance/ Performance Matrix RELOCATERS High Importance Lower Performance High Importance Higher Performance Importance Mean = 68% (Top 2 Box) Low Importance Lower Performance Low Importance Higher Performance Performance Mean = 16% (Top 2 Box)

  43. Messages about higher education opportunities, recreational activities, and Bakersfield’s ranking for business and careers were most appealing to potential relocaters. Reactions to Messages Much more likely Somewhat more likely RELOCATERS n=93 Bakersfield has several public and private higher educational institutions such as California State University and the University of California Bakersfield has abundant outdoor recreational activities such as golf courses, bike paths, and white water rafting Bakersfield is considered one of the best places in the United States for business and careers, ranked 53rd in the nation and 15th in California The median home sales price in Bakersfield is $105,500 Emphasizing youth and family activities, Bakersfield is a great place to raise a family Bakersfield is no more than a two hour drive from the mountains, rivers, beaches, wine country, and LA Bakersfield's entertainment activities include several sports teams Bakersfield's cultural activities include a 70-year tradition symphony and annual Jazz and Film Festivals Bakersfield is centrally located, no more than four hours away from either San Diego or San Francisco QC86-94. I’m going to read you some statements about Bakersfield, California. Please tell me whether each statement makes you less likely, neither less nor more likely, or more likely to consider relocating there.

  44. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Businesses • Demographic Profiles

  45. The availability of medical care The quality of medical care The overall cost of living The cost of housing Proximity to family or friends The social and recreational activities for retired people Medical care and cost of living are most important to older consumers when considering communities for retirement. Factors Influencing Retirement Choices 5- Very Important 4 n=175 Mean 4.37 4.31 4.09 4.05 3.81 3.67 QC34-39. Now, I’m going to read a list of factors that might influence someone’s decision to retire to a certain community. Please tell me how important each factor is to you. Please rate each factor on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “Not important at all” and 5 is “Very important.”

  46. Somewhat worse Much worse Somewhat better Much better Consumers consider the cost of housing and living in Bakersfield to be better than in other communities they might consider for retirement. However, for most, Bakersfield is not as close to their family and friends. Ratings of Bakersfield RETIREES n=175 Neutral categories not shown The cost of housing The overall cost of living The availability of medical care The quality of medical care The proximity to family or friends The social and recreational activities available for retired people QC76-81. Now, I’m going to repeat a list of factors that might be used to evaluate a community as a place to retire. For each factor, please tell me whether you consider Bakersfield much worse, somewhat worse, about the same, somewhat better, or much better than other communities in California that you are familiar with.

  47. Areas of high importance and lower performance are availability and quality of medical care. Areas of high importance and higher performance are cost of housing and cost of living. Consumer Importance/ Performance Matrix RETIREES High Importance Lower Performance High Importance Higher Performance Importance Mean = 74% (Top 2 Box) Low Importance Higher Performance Low Importance Lower Performance Performance Mean = 18% (Top 2 Box)

  48. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY • STRATEGIC SUMMARY • RESEARCH FINDINGS • Overall Perceptions of Bakersfield • Attitudes of Consumers • Tourism • Relocation • Retirement • Attitudes of Business Persons • Demographic Profiles

  49. About 12% of the business people interviewed say their company is likely to relocate within the next two years. Likelihood to Relocate BUSINESS QB4. How likely is your company to relocate to another community beside the one where you are currently located within the next two years?

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