Shafter, CA Real Estate

Every year, the day before July 4th, hundreds of Shafter’s residents crowd the local sports complex at dusk to watch fireworks with their friends and family. A pre-show concert and BBQ showcase the city’s communal atmosphere. Every Wednesday, the local Farmer’s Market showcases the area’s agricultural abundance; locals often forgo the grocery store to pick up the myriad of local produce made available by the community farmers. The charming town of Shafter, emulates all the greatest thing about living in a small town: friendliness, safety and familiarity. Locals are a first name basis, a small consequence of the many people who were raised in Shafter and stayed to raise their own families.

Shafter began as a small loading dock along the Sante Fe Railroad and was named for General William Shafter, a commander of U.S. troops during the Cuban-American War. Shafter Depot was opened in 1917, and now serves as the small city’s historical museum; the exhibits recreate a blacksmith shop, a potato packing shed, cotton equipment, a replica of the train agent’s office and more. Shafter is home to a small airstrip called Minter Field; during World War II, nearly 7,000 troops were stationed there. Today, its use is limited to crop dusters and other private aircraft.

A progressive city council has pursued business and tax incentive programs for the community; business development has increased over the last few years throughout the area as a result. While the city hosts the usual fare of chain restaurants, it also has a great number of locally owned restaurants original to the area. A small Mexican bakery, several delicatessens and cafes, and a collection of ethnic restaurants rank among local favorites. Small businesses prosper with the continued patronage of friends and word of mouth- another small benefit of small town living.

The most desirable real estate is in the Maple Elementary School area. Shafter’s expansive 1940s ranch homes offer a quiet, comfortable beauty, still at some of the most affordable prices in California. Custom built 1950s homes have maintained also their original popularity as abundantly sized, open floor plans continue to be popular features. Plans for a large home development in the area are currently in the works. Several small suburbs surround Shafter: Myrick's Corner, North Shafter, Smith Corner, Thomas Lane, many of which have seen new development.

A safe and vibrant community, Shafter offers safe small town living with the convenience of urban living given its close proximity to Bakersfield.