where to live w/commute to pomona (Irvine, Orange: low crime, house)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

If you want to keep any sense of sanity, take Irvine off the table.

If the beach is that important, try Fullerton, etc. If it were up to me, I'd stay closer to Pomona and drive to the beach on weekends.

i think I would have to agree. If you are a more liberal family I would suggest LaVerne or Clairmont areas, if your family leans toward the conservative side I would look at Glendora. The beach areas seem great and many are, but the really nice ones or those close to the beach are going to be a bit of a commute even going against the traffice plus when you really start figuring out what the kids will be doing with their free time, the life you and your hubby will live etc, I think the beach scene may not be exactly what you want. Of course we don't know exactly what you want. Yes, Irvine is a great community, so is Mission Viejo.

Nita

[Runinthesun]

I understand what you are saying. Moving from Minnesota I naturally want to be able to spend some time at the beach. But the reality is with four kids your life basically revolves around their activities. We are an active family, love being outside, my husband and I both love to run and exercise. From time to time we would like to spend a day at the beach so I just want to be somewhat close. Which area do you like better, Fullerton or Yorba Linda? Which gets warmer in the summer? Better restaurants? Lakes for running/biking? Golf courses? I appreciate your help.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Runinthesun

I understand what you are saying. Moving from Minnesota I naturally want to be able to spend some time at the beach. But the reality is with four kids your life basically revolves around their activities. We are an active family, love being outside, my husband and I both love to run and exercise. From time to time we would like to spend a day at the beach so I just want to be somewhat close. Which area do you like better, Fullerton or Yorba Linda? Which gets warmer in the summer? Better restaurants? Lakes for running/biking? Golf courses? I appreciate your help.

Most anywhere in LA/OC counties is "somewhat close" to the beach. However, unless you live right by the beach, going to the beach is always a "trip", but is one that is fairly easily achievable.

I personally like Fullerton better, it is not as cookie-cutter as Yorba Linda.

Yorba Linda most likely gets a little warmer in the summer, but it's probably not a terribly noticeable difference.

Lakes?

Lakes?

Really, lakes?

Have you been to Southern California before? It isn't exactly the land of 10,000 lakes. More like the land of 10 lakes.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Most anywhere in LA/OC counties is "somewhat close" to the beach. However, unless you live right by the beach, going to the beach is always a "trip", but is one that is fairly easily achievable.

I personally like Fullerton better, it is not as cookie-cutter as Yorba Linda.

Yorba Linda most likely gets a little warmer in the summer, but it's probably not a terribly noticeable difference.

Lakes?

Lakes?

Really, lakes?

Have you been to Southern California before? It isn't exactly the land of 10,000 lakes. More like the land of 10 lakes.

I had to laugh a little at your comments cause you are so right. I can't really think of a lake except maybe San Dimas if you can call what they have a lake. Every town or almost has a good golf course and hiking is easy to find, great hiking but lakes, not within an hour or so from Pamona.

[MisterDuke]

There is a bike/running/horse trail along the Santa Ana River that goes from Yorba Linda to Newport Beach. Tri-City Park has a lagoon with a trail around it. Circumference is 1 mile. Nearby Yorba Linda there is Anaheim Hills' Walnut Canyon Reservoir, which has a paved bike/running trail around it. Chino Hills State Park has a lagoon with a trail around it, as well as several miles of dirt trails. There is also a paved trail that cuts through Yorba Linda for a few miles and dead ends near the Nixon Library.

A lack of places to bike or run isn't really a problem anywhere in north OC.

Yorba Linda has more newer homes and is more upscale. There has been a lot of new construction in the last 10 years. It doesn't have a bad neighborhood. All of the schools are very good. It was recently rated as one of the best places in the US by one of the places that rates such thing. On the downside, there are no really good restaurants there. It's mostly chains. There is no nightlife. If you want to go see a movie you need to go to Anaheim or Brea. If you live up in the hills, it can be a little bit of a drive to get to a freeway. It's a nice view, but you pay for it with additional commuting time.

Most of the housing stock in Fullerton is from the 50s and 60s and 70s. There are 3 bad neighborhoods, but there are a lot of historic buildings and houses too. It's got an old downtown. Old by OC standards. A number of good restaurants by OC standards. A metrolink commuter rail station. If you live in the west side of the city it can be a haul to get to the freeway.

Like David Aguilar said, unless you live next to the beach it is going to be a trip to get there. It's not next to a freeway and you will get stuck in stop and go traffic anytime you go.

[Paula Lynn]

I would consider Fullerton, Brea, Diamond Bar or San Dimas - not necessarily in that order. They are all good.

[johnLCSW]

Phillips Ranch is a community within Pomona which has a totally different feel. Phillips Ranch has nice tree lined streets. The schools are really good espcially the newer Diamond Ranch High School. Although Phillips Ranch is quiet, it is very convenient to the freeways. Neighboring Chino Hills is nice too, but not as convenient to the freeways.

[RobE]

Originally Posted by MisterDuke

Yorba Linda, Brea. If you don't need to live in OC, then Diamond Bar and Walnut would be outstanding choices as well. Claremont too, though that's north of Pomona and a farther drive to the beach.

+1.

[WestCoastRN]

Areas that are nice around Pomona are Diamond Bar, San Dimas, Phillips Ranch, Walnut, and Chino Hills. These areas are all within 10 minute drive to Pomona.

[ARA Appraiser]

Among the cities mentioned by WestCosatRN, Diamond Bar and Walnut share the best school district. Chino Hill was ranked 68th in Money Magazine's "Best places to live" in 2005 considering education, housing affordabilities, safety, etc. Further away from the coastline, within 10 mins drive to Pomona, Claremont is the city with reputable public school system and private schools.

Within 20-30 mins drive and stay in Orange county, Fullerton and Yorba Linda will be the choices. Yorba Linda was rated by CNN as the 21st best place in the US to live in 2005.

Within 40 mins drive in Orange county, Irvine will be your best bid with excellent school, well-planned communities good for outdoor livings, and closer to beaches.

Traffic from Orange County to Pomona could be much longer during peak hours, which you should take into considerations.