Tehachapi (Lancaster, California City, Golden Hills: real estate, foreclosure, renter)

[toastee]

Cummings Valley elementary is great. Stallion Springs, Bear Valley and Cummings Valley area are served by this school. Lots of parent participation, very supportive community for this school.

[kitty3]

I have a couple of questions for anyone familiar with Tehachapi. First, when they do close down hwy 58, aren't there side roads you can use to get to Bakersfield for example (out of Bear Valley Springs or Stallion Springs). Also, HOW windy does it get? Only in spring? winter? or when? Is it windy all day and night? And is it windy EVERYWHERE or just closer to where those wind machines are? thanks....I've been there twice and I think Tehachapi is very pretty, but I don't want everyone to know it, it will end up crowded.

[toastee]

When 58 is shut down there are no side roads. None from Stallion Springs or Bear Valley, you take hiway 202 out of both places to get to 58. On old maps you'll see a road going down to Arvin from Stallion Springs, but that is just an old sheep trail. We have "blade"roads in case of fire evacuation but otherwise, nothing.
There is Tehachapi Willow Springs Road that runs into 138 going down toward Lancaster/Palmdale but if the hiway is closed it usually gets shut down as well.
Tehachapi folks know to stock up on groceries, medication, candles, and board games for winter. Our power goes out a lot!
I know it's not a pretty picture, but thats the trade off for living in a beautiful place.

BTW, too many people already know about Tehachapi!!! This used to be all orchards!! Now, it's houses where they used to be.

[toastee]

The wind is not so bad at all! If you live in Stallion or Bear Valley your pretty well shielded. The further West you go the more wind you get. It's not that noticeable on the East side.

[toastee]

KNOJ, sorry to hear you have had such bad experiences here in Tehachapi.

My husband and I, both born and raised here, have not had such troubles.
I've only noticed a few cliques but nothing to bother with. And never had a problem with the police, in fact we feel they do a great job.
Speeders are a problem at times until the enforcement comes in then the "speed trap" word gets tossed around a lot.

DAZY, Cummings Valley is a good elementary school. Junior High and High School are the same for everyone. Wells elementary was awesome but was shut down due to age. At Cummings Valley the facilty is very up to date and the parental support can't be beat!

The west side of Tehachapi is not as windy as the east. We stil have wind but the mountains block a lot of it.

The prison is max. with lower min. levels. It's very well secured, so nobody's gone awol from there for some time now.

Tehachapi has problems, name a place that doesn't.......

Some parts of town I would not live in. That seems to be the norm everywhere these days.

Tehachapi is beautiful, cooler weather, calmer and slower than surrounding areas.
The people are wonderful for the most part. We always have some transplants from the city who want to go back after one good winter.

If you look for the bad, you will find it. If you look for the good, you will find it.

[kitty3]

Toastee, I sent you a (private) Direct message.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by canibeyou

The longer that myth can be perpetuated... the less crowded it will be.

Amen to that, canibeyou.

Whoever said there were oaks and no pines in Tehachapi is mistaken. We have live oaks, blue oaks, ponderosa, and jeffery pines in abundance. It is a wonderful place to live, and... the school district filing bankruptcy?? That's a new one on me.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by KNJO

I would take Elk Grove any day over Tehachapi! You can Have It!

Don't let the county line hit your butt on your way out!!

[lisahartz80]

Originally Posted by california5

Tehachapi is a great little mountain town. People are friendly, the weather is great. It's a short commute to Bakersfield. My husband commutes to Edwards, it's about a 40 minute drive.
Getting around in the winter isn't bad. If the snow is heavy enough highway 58 does close. The temperatures are mild really. Not extremely hot, nor extremely cold. The only downside would be that it does get pretty windy!
We have really enjoyed the small town atmosphere here. We moved here from a small town in the Antelope Valley. That is where people were unfriendly and crime was high. We are so glad we moved up here, our only regret is not moving sooner!

My husband and I are probably going to move to Tehachapi the first of the year. I see your husband works at Edwards AFB. My husband works there too. Are there any carpools? We spend about $400-500 a month on gas commuting from Silver Lakes. Also, can you or anyone recommend areas in town not to buy a home. How is the real estate market? I know everyone is hurting but how much has homes depreciated? We want to buy soon but will probably wait until it bottoms out. Any other information will be helpful. I have a 8 week old infant boy.

Also, is Tehachapi as windy as the Antelope Valley and High Desert? My Husband has been working out of Edwards for 5 years now. We've lived in Victorville, Apple Valley and Silver Lakes. We refuse to move to the AV. We thought that everything within a 50 mile radius from the base was crap but after just visiting Tehachapi, I see hope.

[california5]

I've heard of a few carpools going to Edwards. Unfortunately for us, my husband works bizarre hours that aren't carpool friendly.
The housing market is great for buyers right now, prices are low. Our house went down about $100k in value. It is starting to come back up now, slowly.
On the wind, yes, it is as windy as the AV here.