Which is better Riverside area or Palm Desert area to relocate (San Bernardino: condo, high crime)

[gingersnap72]

My husband and I are looking at relocating to Southern California from Everett, WA and want some information on which is better to live. We want to live in a warmer climate for our health problems and housing prices in Riverside county are a lot less than the greater Seattle area. We can't touch anything under $250,000 here and those home are in high crime areas and need so much work put into them. We are looking to buy a home that needs some work but where we dont have to worry about high crime. Any suggestions or advice where to look at for under a $100 grand would be great. Thanks in advance

[David Aguilar]

I grew up in Riverside, and my grandparents lived in Everett during my childhood. I loved WA growing up and looked forward to spending my summers up there. I just find it odd that you'd want to move away from the paradise I call WA.

There is a syndrome, where, when you get off a plane at Ontario (from Seattle), you'll be shocked at how dirty and ugly everything looks in CA. It wears off after awhile but it is definitely noticeable when comparing CA/WA aesthetically.

Now to the matter at hand, if you want to keep it cheap, maybe Riverside County isn't for you. You mentioned $100K, anything under $100K in RIV would be in a "high crime area". Also keep in mind, that a high crime area in WA looks like Mayberry compared to a high crime area in CA.

There are some great deals (sub $100K) in the Victor Valley (San Bernardino County) right now, that I would probably be jumping on if I were still in CA. The Victor Valley also has the warmer climate you are looking for. Hot in the summer time, mild in the winter, dry air year-round, and maybe a dusting of snow once or twice in the winter.

Read up on the cities of Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Pinon Hills, and Phelan.

[gingersnap72]

Summers are great in the Northwest, but my husband and I have problems with Bipolar, depression and arthritis and think warmer weather and sunshine would be better for us, especially in the winter here with the rain, gloom and cold weather here. Owning a home here will never be a reality here for us and since i'm on disabilty and he is a getting near retirement. What do you think of the Palm Desert area? And how is there crime rate? Thanks for the info on the Riverside area, I will check those places out

[Twinkle Toes]

I live in La Quinta (next to Palm Desert) and lived in Palm Desert for a number of years before moving to La Quinta. I train for dance in Riverside three days a week. I am extremely familar with both areas. I would highly recommend our beautiful valley as a place to live over Riverside any day.

We don't have the congestion, traffic or smog that Riverside has. While there is crime everywhere, we have less of it here. This is a very safe area. Although this is an affluent area, there are quite a few bargains to be had. You may be able to find a condo in your price range, but a single family residence is not likely in that price range in a good area. You will see what appear to be "good deals" or "cheap prices" in places like Desert Hot Springs or Cathedral City - trust me - they are not bargains - you might pay with your life.

If you've never actually physically visited either Riverside or Palm Desert, you will definitely want to come out and check out these areas for yourself. In the Coachella Valley, I would stick to Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and parts of Palm Springs. The newer part of Indio seems to be okay too.

I will warn you though, summers in the Coachella Valley are probably more brutal than any place you've ever been to. This is why we have "season" in our area and a lot of "snowbirds" during season. After season, they all fly the coop back to Washington or Oregon or Montana or Beautiful British Columbia or wherever it is they came from (usually the north).

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by gingersnap72

Summers are great in the Northwest, but my husband and I have problems with Bipolar, depression and arthritis and think warmer weather and sunshine would be better for us, especially in the winter here with the rain, gloom and cold weather here.

Your issues might not dry up in a warmer/drier/sunnier locale. There are bipolar and depressed folks in the IE and CV as well. The arthritis might get better, but I would go as far to say the other two issues have a pretty good chance of staying with you.

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

they are not bargains - you might pay with your life.

That seems a little harsh. Do random murders occur a lot out there?

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

I will warn you though, summers in the Coachella Valley are probably more brutal than any place you've ever been to. This is why we have "season" in our area and a lot of "snowbirds" during season. After season, they all fly the coop back to Washington or Oregon or Montana or Beautiful British Columbia or wherever it is they came from (usually the north).

Yes, it takes a special kind of person (IMO insane, the heat is not for me) to live through the summers out in the Coachella Valley. No thanks, but kudos to those that can deal with it.

Gingersnap, keep in mind that you would be moving from one of the mildest climates in the country to one of the harshest. Yeah, no precipitation and sun is great, but you might not like the constant 100F+ high days that the CV gets from March-November.
The IE's weather is much milder and more varied, but still pretty warm overall, and has a rainy (mildly) season.

I'd recommend checking out both places to see what suits you. The IE (Riverside, etc), is more suited for those looking for the daily grind, commuting and work. The CV (Palm Desert, etc), is more of a resort area, seemingly tailored for seniors looking to sunbathe, swim, and play golf everyday.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

That seems a little harsh. Do random murders occur a lot out there?



Yes, it takes a special kind of person (IMO insane, the heat is not for me) to live through the summers out in the Coachella Valley. No thanks, but kudos to those that can deal with it.

Tell you what ... check out the Desert Sun on a daily basis and you tell me if you still think I'm being "a little harsh". MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun | Palm Springs news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Palm Springs, California

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Tell you what ... check out the Desert Sun on a daily basis and you tell me if you still think I'm being "a little harsh". MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun | Palm Springs news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Palm Springs, California

I'll leave that up to you. I have no interest in the CV, nor what goes on there. I'll take your word for it, but I don't think the Coachella Valley could quite compare to Ciudad Juarez or anything.

[Twinkle Toes]

Are you kidding me? There's a bill in office right now - as we speak - to rename Cathedral City as Ciudad Juarez and Desert Hot Springs to Sinaloa!!!