LANCASTER CA, EDWARDS AFB what can you tell me about the area??? (Palmdale: low crime, new home)

[t3t2smart]

We have just learned that there is a possible chance of us moving to
Edwards AFB in California. Can anyone tell us about the area; high schools, no to low crime areas with fast fire and police response to live in, New homes and prices etc etc etc?

We know nothing about the area. What are best surrounding cities to live in for military families? We have a teen age son, that has lived overseas most of his life and has been very sheltered. Can anyone tell us where the closest hospitals are located from the base? Any Baptist churches with gospel services? Organized activities to do for teenagers? Are there any community colleges or universities in the area? Are there any good paying jobs?
I guess what we want to know, is how the area is in general and what to expect?

Thanks

[Charles]

Originally Posted by t3t2smart

New homes and prices etc etc etc? ....
Can anyone tell us where the closest hospitals are located from the base? Any Baptist churches with gospel services? Are there any community colleges or universities in the area? Are there any good paying jobs?
Thanks

For many of these things maps.google.com the area. Click on find "Find Businesses". Search for "hospital" or "church" or "massage parlor" or whatever.

[DanC33]

The west side of Lancaster is where to live, there are two hospitals, there are churches everywhere,and good shopping but the schools in Lancaster can be a problem.

You might also want to look at Rosamond a small town 10 miles north of Lancaster, it's right at the entrance to EAFB and a short drive to Lancaster.

[t3t2smart]

Originally Posted by DanC33

The west side of Lancaster is where to live, there are two hospitals, there are churches everywhere,and good shopping but the schools in Lancaster can be a problem.

You might also want to look at Rosamond a small town 10 miles north of Lancaster, it's right at the entrance to EAFB and a short drive to Lancaster.

Thank you for the info, I will look into Rosamond and surrounding areas.
Ciao

[jeffncandace]

I was born in Lancaster and raised just off the north gate of Edwards AFB in a little town with the creative name of North Edwards. There is a another town 10 miles east called Boron. In my humble opinion, both towns are crapholes. Very bad drug problems and high crime for such a sparcely populated area.
Another town north of Edwards is California City. I really don't like any of these towns. My advice would be to see them yourself before moving, then contrast and compare to your personal taste and feel of the areas.

Rosamond, just off the west gate of Edwards, would be closest in regards to commute, but is not a very nice town. It's more expensive than the other towns just mentioned, but like the old saying goes...you get what you pay for. Believe me, this definately holds true when you are considering the Mojave desert.

Tehachapi is a mountain town about 45 minutes west of Edwards. It is nicer than the aforementioned towns, but a bit far, although when you live out in the desert, you get used to frequently driving long distances.

As others have said, I would look into west Lancaster/Palmdale/Quartz Hill. It's still not the most ideal place to live but better than most of the surrounding area.

Good luck!

[t3t2smart]

Originally Posted by Charles

For many of these things maps.google.com the area. Click on find "Find Businesses". Search for "hospital" or "church" or "massage parlor" or whatever.

Thank you but no thank you for your advice "massage parlor" or whatever".

[canibeyou]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

Tehachapi is a mountain town about 45 minutes west of Edwards. It is nicer than the aforementioned towns, but a bit far, although when you live out in the desert, you get used to frequently driving long distances.

Good luck!

^5! The drive is farther.... but with no traffic, unless a cow gets out on the highway or a semi decides to jack-knife. Other than that, you're cruisin' at 70+ the entire time.. and sometimes 70 means you're the slow one!

[CJP]

I moved to Cal City last year, coming from Germany.
I cannot say that I like any of the surrounding places that are still reasonably close to base, at all. Crime & drugs high in relatively small towns, Cal City does not have ONE nice store and nothing that is convenient comes at a normal price.
I am thinking about moving to Tehachapi, whre the temperatures are much nicer, the air seems a little better and there are actually something like 4 seasons. It is a small town, but they have stores that are somewhat affordable and CLOSE BY! Cal City means, that every trip that needs to be made has to be done on a weekend, has to be planned, Lancaster and Palmdale are between 45-60 minutes away, north gate of the base takes about 20 minutes (but from there it is another 10 to the BX or Commissary), there are some neighborhoods that are known to be on the "not-so-friendly-side"... So far I have not met one person that actually likes this places and WANTS to live here. Actually that is not completely true, my nail tech likes it here, but also is starting to think about moving because of the recently VERY high crime rate.
To me this specific town is as inconvenient as it gets.

[canibeyou]

CJP.... am I correct in thinking that Cal City people have to grocery shop at the Stater Brothers in Mojave? Or do you finally have a grocery store all your own out there?

[midnightbirdgirl]

As long as you live in West Lancaster or better yet west Palmdale.
MBG