Promotion to Colton, CA- Moving to Cali and looking for a place to call home (Anaheim: apartment, safe neighborhoods)

[primetime21]

I am currently a 24 year old, single guy working in NYC. I was offered a promotion to another facility located in Colton, Ca. Being young, I'm very interested in traveling and living in new areas of the country, especially near any big city since I grew up in Chicago. With that being said, I don't know much of anything in Cali. To be honest, although I would want to live somewhere close to work, I'm not willing to sacrifice living in a "young" area close to the city where I can have a nightlife and be around people my age. The extra drive is worth living in an area that keeps me busy and offers more than sitting around in my apartment. With the little research I've done it seems like the Orange County area is a good choice with Anaheim/Irvine/Huntington as possible locations. I know they are about 40-50 miles away from Colton, and traffic sucks out there, but how is the reverse commute? Any suggestions for places to live between the beach and Colton would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Mark

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by primetime21

I am currently a 24 year old, single guy working in NYC. I was offered a promotion to another facility located in Colton, Ca. Being young, I'm very interested in traveling and living in new areas of the country, especially near any big city since I grew up in Chicago. With that being said, I don't know much of anything in Cali. To be honest, although I would want to live somewhere close to work, I'm not willing to sacrifice living in a "young" area close to the city where I can have a nightlife and be around people my age. The extra drive is worth living in an area that keeps me busy and offers more than sitting around in my apartment. With the little research I've done it seems like the Orange County area is a good choice with Anaheim/Irvine/Huntington as possible locations. I know they are about 40-50 miles away from Colton, and traffic sucks out there, but how is the reverse commute? Any suggestions for places to live between the beach and Colton would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Mark

HB to Colton is a reverse commute but its still a hell of a long drive. And never underestimate the ability of one traffic stop of a couple of drops of rain to turn a 40 minute drive into an HOUR and 40 minutes. Colton is in the Inland Empire. You're much better off staying out there if that's where your work is. I heard Redlands is one of the best areas out there.

[OutOfSoCal]

There no way I would live in OC if I worked in Colton. Riverside would be the best area for nightlife considering where you work.You can always take a drive to Hollywood or Staples Centre on the weekends. I can't think of any real nightlife by colton, maybe 50 miles from LA. There is a new arena opening in Ontario that will have a ECHL hockey team next year

[primetime21]

Thanks for the help. Yeah the more I look into the Orange County area, the more it seems a little too far. However, everythiing I've heard about the Inland Empire area hasn't been too favorable. I'm sure there are some nice places to live, but any research I have come across has pointed me elsewhere. That's why I'm considering as east as I can get in Orange County towards Colton. Unfortunately I've always been a city kid so it's hard to imagine living anywhere but somewhere I can go out at night and grab dinner and drinks with a young crowd. Looking forward to my move to Cali, just gotta find the right place. Thanks for the suggestions

[SoCal Person]

Have you thought of Rancho Cucamonga? Victoria Gardens is a great new outdoor shopping center, and there's a lot of fun night spots there.

It's not that far from Colton, in the 'southern California' scheme of things.

We live in Riverside but I would recommend Rancho Cucamonga for a young person. It's a newer city and overall there seems to be more young people there when you're out and about.

[949-714]

Originally Posted by SoCal Person

Have you thought of Rancho Cucamonga? Victoria Gardens is a great new outdoor shopping center, and there's a lot of fun night spots there.

It's not that far from Colton, in the 'southern California' scheme of things.

We live in Riverside but I would recommend Rancho Cucamonga for a young person. It's a newer city and overall there seems to be more young people there when you're out and about.

I have to agree with Socal Person. RC seems to be a pretty nice place and there is also minor league baseball in RC. You are a short drive from the mountains and the deserts, and not far from vegas either. Use your weekends for day trips to OC and LA.

Save your sanity from any major commuting

[ethan5000]

I've lived in Colton for about 8 months, and now live in Irvine. If you live in South Orange County (Irvine, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, etc) then you have access to toll roads that will take you up to the inland empire in a fraction of the time. Huntington Beach isn't a very wise choice because it's far from toll roads, and it's not a very nice area.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by ethan5000

I've lived in Colton for about 8 months, and now live in Irvine. If you live in South Orange County (Irvine, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, etc) then you have access to toll roads that will take you up to the inland empire in a fraction of the time. Huntington Beach isn't a very wise choice because it's far from toll roads, and it's not a very nice area.

How is it not a nice area? Compared to what?

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

How is it not a nice area? Compared to what?

That's what I'm curious to know, too. I always thought most of Huntington Beach as a desirable area.

[RainydaysGirl]

I lived in HB for 31 years. Aside from the beach, pier, fine dining, great downtown, great schools, beautiful safe neighborhoods, what can be "not such a great area"? Has to be the words of a new South County transplant who thinks only the 949 is nice. Take a drive north of Irvine and find out for yourself.