Ben

I'm elated to have just received a promotion making me a sales manager for the entire county of Riverside, CA. and will be moving over 2,000 miles....I've never been to Riverside County.
I'd love to hear from folks from Southern California who might recommend some nice cities in So. California. We will be looking for a home in an upper middle class area accessible to shopping and golf. No children in schools anymore, Price wise, we can spend up to $800,000. What are a few of the nicest cities in Riverside County? Thanks very much, Ben

steve

There are some nice areas in RIverside. Moreno Valley is a newer city. Hemet is a nice mtn community. THere are also other cities that are freeway close such as Redlands.

Info

Riverside County is not Southern California. It's in the Inland Empire to be technical about it. You can get a really really big house with your budget as the lots there are really big plus it may very well be new since there are lots of new developments there. I don't live in Riverside but I can only imagine it would be more rural than urban, more industrial definitely too. Some cities are where people off on parole [chronically in and out] live so be extra careful in picking.

Monique

I live here. I would first and foremost reccomend the eagle glen area of Corona. It has nice newer homes, if not brand new and its own golf cousre. It is adjacent to the City of Riverside. Other areas to consider are Whitegate, Mockingbird Canyon and Canyon Crest all in Riverside.

Ben

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. It sounds like Riverside County is REALLY a hot area....any areas that might be a bit cooler than others or are they all this hot? (been reading about the temps. in the Palm Desert area). Also, from some of the things I've read about Riverside County, there are lots of not too desireable areas, higher crime, lower income, ugly areas, etc. Sounds like there are some areas to avoid....??
Thanks! Ben

Native

Ben,

Bring your gas mask.

Native

mag

I used to live in Orange County, and some of the people I worked with lived in Riverside. Maybe you could do the reverse, live in Orange County and commute to Riverside. Just another thought!
Good luck!

Monique

I really really take exception at all the people from OC saying how awful our air is compared to theirs. I crack up. You are looking east. Well I am looking west and see the same haze driving into OC that I see heading east from OC. NO difference. I just moved here from a VERY desirable area of San Diego, Carlsbad a mile and a half from the beach. Anyway yes there are some bad areas here, just as there were in Carlbad, Oceanside, Vista area. I really like SUNSHINE so I like it here. No marine layer that doens't burn off til afternoon everyday. It is all in what you like. I like living here in many ways, prefer the less hectic area and less snobbish people as well. To each his own.

However commuting from OC back to Riverside would be a good option as well. You would be going against traffic.Just get a fast pass and you are all set. And you can see the smog in OC on your way back!!

xxx

Moreno Valley is a horrible town and Hemet is basically full of old retired people in mobile home parks and blue collar workers. Redlands is a very nice community, but is in San Bernardino County.

That said, Riverside County does have some nice communities. But it's a large county (Corona to Indio down to Temecula). Ben, we really need to know where your office is before we can give useful advice.

gbs

I agree. Scratch Hemet and Moreno Valley. MV is subdivision after subdivision, totally made up of commuters. No community affiliatin, bad schools, etc. There are some beautiful areas in Riverside. Contact a realtor. McIntosh Realty is a good, local one (no, I don't work there, but used to live there and can recommend them.) Yes, Palm Desert and the whole desert areas are VERY hot. Riverside is hot in the summer, very nice weather other times.

Monique

I agree with the sentiments on Moreno Valley and Hemet as well. Same with Norco and Ontario too. But there are pockets of great places to live you just have to know where to look. That is what a realtor is for.

Ben

Again, thanks for the input. I'm finding this very helpful. I will be working out of my home (or should I say my car) and covering the entire Riverside area. I would prefer to live in an area that is mostly ALL nice, not just an area that has some "nice" pockets thrown in with some lousy ones. I really don't mean to sound like a snob (I'm NOT) but I will admit that I've become a bit spoiled living in a nice family community of about 50,000, excellent schools, very low crime and each home is built on at least 1/2 acre with rolling green grass and large trees. Of course I know I most likely can't duplicate that but I'd like to come as close to possible. Certainly there must be towns where the entire town is nice, not just pockets within....right? I will definitely contact a Realtor but need to start somewhere since Riverside County is huge. I will be making a good income and would like to make the right choice the first go around. Renting first is not an option or I lose out on a "housing differntial".
Thanks again, Ben

Native

Ben, my best suggestion is to rent for 6 - 12 months so you can really see what you're getting into. If you want a place that's mostly all nice, you will need to be in Orange County. Riverside has little spots that are lovely, but one the whole, nothing in the world could make me live there.

And yes, the smog is horrible. The ocean breeze (prevailing) pushes it all out to Riverside/San Bernardino up against the SB mountains. It will be a rare day that you will be able to see the mountains.

Honestly, if you are coming from a community of only 50,000 people. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE IN FOR!

x

Where are you moving from? What size of home are you seeking? When you say shopping, do you mean a mall or are you seeking an upscale shopping with boutiques? Is a regular cultural schedule important or are you willing to drive in to LA for an occasional play? Do you need to be centrally located in Riverside County? What are the cities where most of your clients are located? Do you need to be close to an airport?

FYI: Norco has some nice areas and is quite popular with the horse crowd. Ontario is actually in San Bernardino County.

xxx

I would choose Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells or La Quinta over any of the Inland Empire west of the San Gorgonio Pass any day. About 15 degrees hotter in the summer than Riverside, but the air and the quality of life infinitely better.

If I had to live in West Riverside County I would look at Canyon Lake, Temecula wine country or the 'upscale' parts of Riverside off Van Buren near the I-215.

Monique

Hey that is where I am at. Glad someone likes it too. Love the orange crest area. Great homes, good schools, great people!!! NO snobs. But I forgot about Canyon Lake OMG. You have got to look that up. We had considered moving there but our kids would be in Lake Elsinore schools so we decided no as there were no nearby private schools. But if I had no kids there is NOT a better place to live in SO cal outside of Rancho Santa Fe IMO. Great private gated community with its own lake. I love it.

Also OC people please drive east and then back to you little no smogville. Please!!! My husband drives it everyday. Smog is just as bad going west trust me.

Ben

I should also add a couple more things....we really aren't into culture. We only go to a movie twice a year. We enjoy eating out once or twice a week. Our 3 children are now grown so schools aren't important (except for resale). We would like to become more physically active than we have been (don't we all).
I suppose we come across as pretty boring people. We just enjoy being home, bar-b-ques with neighbors, a trip or two each year to a gambling city, a cruise every few years. My wife enjoys a once a week Bridge club and I play poker once a month. I just enjoy coming home, watching a ball game with a nice cool one! I play a 1/2 way decent game of golf once a week. Canyon Lakes sounds interesting. I've never owned a boat but I would enjoy drinking my "cool one" watching a serene setting. Our family now consist of my best friend wife of 32 years, my 2 dogs and a feisty cat.
What about the "active adult communities"? I am 57 so I qualify. A possible option?? Truth: I'd love nothing more to retire in about 5 years, be lazy, work on my golf game and play video poker! Hey, just being honest. Curious about the differneces in areas of Orange County and Canyon Lakes??
Ben

Ben

By the way....I really appreciate you all! Ben

Monique

Ben you have got to look at Canyon Lake. It is a mix of ages but has it's own club house with great activities and a restaurant. Great walking areas, horse trails if you want them, boating a nice beach area. Safe. Quiet, a variety of houses, most very nice.
http://gate88.com/
http://www.canyonlakerealty.com/
http://www.canyonlake.com/
Pretty Central in Riverside county. Not too far from shopping and a great place. WE have friends who live there that we visit who love it and we can see why.

Trisha

You need to find the area in Riverside County that is as close as possible to an area in LA County called "Palos Verdes" (I live here). It is EXACTLY like what you're looking for. Of course you won't be able to match the climate or some of the ocean views etc. but the demographics would be perfect for you. I'm sorry I don't know anything about Riverside County so I can't even begin to help you. I've only lived in CA for 8 months myself.
Maybe you could post another message requesting an area in Riverside County that is similar as possible to Palos Verdes. There are probably natives that know both areas and can suggest the "Palos Verdes" of Riverside, County. Good Luck Ben.