Mid-West/East Coast to California (Santa Clarita, Lancaster: good schools, living in, prices)

[ohiomomof2]

All help would be appreciated. I am looking for information about the area.

My husband has recently been offered a job in the Mojave area. He and I are originally for Pennsylvania and have been living in Ohio for the last decade. Neither one of us has ever been farther west than Chicago. I have no idea what to expect of Mojave other than it's a desert. We are used to four seasons and snow, lots of snow.

We have two younger children, so we are definitely concerned about what the surrounding cities are like to raise our family. Where is a safe, yet culturally diverse area to raise a family near/in Mojave?

As we are unsure of actual cost of living in the area, what are typical prices for everyday items, so we can get a comparison for where we are at now.

Thank you in advance for any feed back.

[Charles]

Well the weather will be better - a lot better.
Mojave is kind of out there but Palmdale Lancaster has more medium size city amenities.

Tehachapi and far west Lancaster seem to be the best bets for schools.

I'd probably look at Lancaster because if the job in Mohave doesn't work out (and you had bought a home) then at least a new ride to the LA area would be a possibility.

California School Performance Maps

Now, if you really want to go crazy (like me) you could consider Santa Clarita 70 miles away - should be very fast with no traffic but once or twice a year some weather problems at the top of the grade near Palmdale. Maybe there would be a vanpool or carpool. Santa Clarita has really good schools and full on amenities and it is close enough to LA for "Plan B" jobs.

[Curmudgeon]

Might I respectfully recommend a trip to Mojave and environs before you commit? Better yet, two - one in winter and one in summer. The desert isn't for everyone and after the green of PA and the agriculture and urban areas of OH, the desert could come as quite a shock to you. It's not for everyone!

[nighthouse66]

having lived out in joshua tree for a year myself, i can say that the desert is one of the most beautiful places i have ever been. but curmudgeon is right- it isn't for everyone. for one thing, in the summer it can get up to 120 degrees (and this is not something that only happens occasionally) and this necessitates a change in your ordinary schedule. anytime i had to have work on my car done out in the desert during summer they would ask you to bring the car in at something like 5 in the morning, because they stop work at noon. that's just one example. yeah, its a "dry heat", but its still hot as a mother. unless you have been curious and interested in the desert you might find it overwhelmingly inhospitable. that is a heck of a move to make without having visited- i moved to CA without having visited, but then again, i am a single woman with no children and can make my own way in a much different manner from a family. visit first.