Is Lancaster / Palmdale as horrible as they say?? (Rosamond, Tehachapi: rentals, hotels)

[alize001]

So far Tehachapi sounds the best of all for us. The schools look better and from what I see the community is small and not alot of complaints from residents (that I can find anyways). The area looks very pretty compared to the arid desert look of Edwards.

pbrkix maybe we will be neighbors I found a good site with info about Tehachapi called Tehachapi community guide in case you are still looking at moving to Tehachapi. http://www.tehachapicommunityguide.com

I hope that helps and would love to hear what you find! If anyone here lives in Tehachapi currently, how do you like it? Do you experience the same drug/crime problems as the Palmdale/Lancaster area? How are the schools? Opinions welcome!

[canibeyou]

Here are a couple more fun sites.

One is a live weather webcam: Live Tehachapi Webcam

And then here's the newpaper link: Tehachapi News - Tehachapi News

[canibeyou]

As far as the drugs and crime goes... there is both. But show me a city where there isn't! But not nearly as much as there is in Palmdale/ Lancaster. Not even close! I believe you can have access to the police blog thru the newspaper online. If not, subscribe to the paper and have it delivered. The police blog is printed in there each week (btw... their paper only comes out once a week, on Monday's).

And from people I know with kids in the Tehachapi/Kern County school system, the schools are way better too. Smaller class sizes, allowing for more teacher/ student interaction.

There's also private schools in Tehachapi, in case those don't come up in a search. I believe there are 3 or even 4 private schools in the area.

[nightingale220]

I'm in the same boat as Alize001. My fiance has just received orders to be at Edwards AFB in May. I'm researching like mad to find a semi-suitable place to live with an okay commute to the base but what I've read about the cities bordering Edwards is downright depressing and SCARY.

We're young and have no children. Thinking about living in Santa Clarita. Would that be crazy??

Would we go crazy in Tehachapai with no kids?

Would appreciate ANY help!!

[canibeyou]

I think you'd grow to resent the commute from Santa Clarita to Edwards. Really.

Having no kids in Tehachapi would just afford you more time to take advantage of the area. Whether it be thru volunteering to hiking (GREAT hiking trails in the moutians around there) to moutain biking. There's also a Moutain Search & Rescue group you could get involved with, if that's something you're interested in.

There's also lots of promoting of "the arts" in Tehachapi. If you're into performing arts, they have a great community theatre they just remodeled and reopend; painting and those types of arts are prevelant in the area. Lots of art classes; everything from pottery to painting. Lots of things to get involved with.

They also have new restaurants opening up like a wine and cheese shop geared towards adults and they have bands come in and play, get together nights for the adults, etc.

And if you're into animals and volunteering in that way, there's a large donkey rescue place, a large horse rescue place and many dog and cat rescue places that could use some volunteer help.


IMO, boredom comes from the lack of imagination, so I can't say if you'll get bored there or not. I'm sure you would if you never ventured out and tried anything in the town. Basically, there's a lot to do and if you have no kids, you can take advantage of that!


Good luck to everyone on their move!

[daddythreepointoh]

Originally Posted by alize001

Good'ay all - I have a question specifically for people in the Lancaster / Palmdale area of southern California. My husband may be relocating to an air force base close by and I was told to look for off base housing in Lancaster or Palmdale. Someone also recommended Rosamond or Tehachepi but I can't locate much info on the latter. Everything I have read about Lancaster and Palmdale has been BAD. Specifically section 8 etc.? Like this article: Lancaster Palmdale section 8 BS | Palmdale | Lancaster | Antelope Valley's Best Local Site Is it true that the area is so bad? Full of section 8? It's practically inconceivable that any area could be so bad and I hope it's not true because this is very depressing for us to have to think about living there if it's true. If anyone could enlighten me I would appreciate it! I am on the verge of begging my husband to turn down the job at this rate.

In a word, yes. If you end up in Lancaster/Palmdale stick to the west side and do some researching even then. Otherwise Tehachapi is very nice (in comparison) and about a 50 minute drive, give or take, to Edwards. Think mountain town vs. desert city.

[ebreezy]

i kinda of like the area i the part of palmdale i stay at with my ex and my son for the short time off palmdale blvd and 2nd street but overall i felt very safe and never had any problems.....only fall back there is lack of jobs that don't pay much unless you work for the county or the city. out there....and if you work in the valley or los angeles the commute is not really worth it.

[pbrkix]

alize001 we just might be neighbors some day! My husband has been in Tehachapi for a week now and it sounds like everyone he's met has been very friendly. He's been asking tons of questions and sending me lots of pictures.

Here's some more websites:
Main Street Tehachapi - Home

Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce - Home (they can send you a packet of info for minimal cost)

Tehachapi City Hall - Official Website

Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Parks District

nightingale220 check these out as well.

Looks like there are some good housing deals right now.

[alize001]

A quicky update! I have been doing more research and it looks as if Tehachapi is the best location for us. I REALLY like the Bear Valley Springs area (well without physically going there it seems very nice in photos anyway)!

Some links with photos of Bear Valley Springs:
Bear Valley Springs Association - Bear Valley Springs - Paradise Found
Bear Valley Springs | Tehachapi CA Real Estate | Homes | Rentals

It is further out than just living in the town area and the commute to Edwards is a little longer, but there is a lake and equestrian center there. It looks very beautiful I am now looking at homes to move to in Tehachapi and will keep you posted!

[elousv]

When I worked at EAFB, one of the guys was living in Bear Valley Springs and was very happy there. I have come across several other people that have lived there with similar feelings about it.