Why is Palmdale rent so low? (Los Angeles, Santa Clarita: loans, travel, income)

[txspamom]

Why are rental houses (new ones too!) so much cheaper per month in Palmdale than places like Santa Clarita or places in Ventura County? I've heard some bad things about Palmdale and some ok things -- what is the deal there?

We are a family of 2 adults, 2 children ages 7 and 9 -- most likely moving from TX to that area of CA. (not by choice!)

[gypsystar]

I personally do not like Palmdale or Lancaster at all - they are high desert and ugly. But that is just my opinion. Also, they are very far out from L.A. and the commute would be extremely long.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Santa Clarita = nice and desirable
Ventura county = nice and desirable

Palmdale = 120 degree desert, lots of PWT and south central LA section 8 types, lots of defaulting subprime loans.

[JTGJR]

Palmdale is just kind of there. It's a place to stop, grab a bite, fill up the tank, and head on to wherever you're headed. HOWEVER, if SoCal ever adopts a truly regional approach to air travel and begins to use the space in Palmdale, I'll be kicking myself for not buying a few thousand acres.

[txspamom]

Is there gang and bad crime issues in Palmdale?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by txspamom

Is there gang and bad crime issues in Palmdale?

Yep. Pick your color: black, Mexican, white skinheads are all represented.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by txspamom

Why are rental houses (new ones too!) so much cheaper per month in Palmdale than places like Santa Clarita or places in Ventura County? I've heard some bad things about Palmdale and some ok things -- what is the deal there?

We are a family of 2 adults, 2 children ages 7 and 9 -- most likely moving from TX to that area of CA. (not by choice!)

Some people might argue (using the median income vs median home price comparison) that Palmdale is priced correctly and Santa Clarita, Ventura County and the greater Los Angeles metro area are overpriced.

But like the others have written, there are less high paying jobs per capita there (I think). The Antelope Valley (also known as the high desert) is more like an extended bedroom community to Los Angeles.

[BRinSM]

Palmdale is an hour from LA with no traffic and you're driving 80mph the whole way. During rush hour, this commute is GOD AWFUL, which is why it is cheaper to live there. There is a metrolink train though, so if you work anywhere along the route, it would be well worth it.

[blondie9779]

Palmdale, CA on LA Life

For an area that is a bit further from L.A. it has poor schools and is not very safe. So that is probably why it is cheap to live. Santa Clarita and Ventura County has some of the best schools in CA and also very low crime.

[GracieJJ]

They just luv shoving all those criminals over there. I aint all too fond of the fact that the 14 freeway is built over the andreas fault line lol...