Riverside? (Ontario, Moreno Valley, Orange: appointed, houses, neighborhood)

[captain]

Planning to make a move here. How is it? Also, is anyone familiar with the Victoria Grove community? I'd like to buy a house in that area but would like some outside thoughts about that and the highschool it goes for (Arlington).

Honestly, I'm not much for gangs or thugs either. I drove around a bit and only noticed a few.

[lilsusieb]

Where at in Riverside are you or have you moved to? Just wondering, I'm also moving to a new commuinty in Riverside next month.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

We lived in Riverside for many years and are glad we've graduated from the Inland Empire. Its charms are overcome by its downsides -- high home costs, traffic, odd mix of residents and points of view, distance from real culture.

[rpd]

I live in Riverside. Don't do it! I will say that it is nice along Victoria Ave, but the city as a whole is pretty bad. Especially, if you have a child. I live in one of the more average areas, in the Arlington section. This area is not considered to be very bad, but I can not take it anymore. I am looking to get out. There are no safe parks to take my child. My wife can not even walk around our neighborhood without being attacked or yelled at by gang bangers. There are some nice areas if you do not have kids to raise, such as: Orange crest, Woodcrest, Victoria. Be very carefull about where you choose.

[compltlyme]

Originally Posted by rpd

I live in Riverside. Don't do it! I will say that it is nice along Victoria Ave, but the city as a whole is pretty bad. Especially, if you have a child. I live in one of the more average areas, in the Arlington section. This area is not considered to be very bad, but I can not take it anymore. I am looking to get out. There are no safe parks to take my child. My wife can not even walk around our neighborhood without being attacked or yelled at by gang bangers. There are some nice areas if you do not have kids to raise, such as: Orange crest, Woodcrest, Victoria. Be very carefull about where you choose.

I spent 6 years in Woodcrest and with my kids... I loved it back then. Could even cross Van Buren on horseback. But so much has changed. Our biggest challenge was driving down that hill so I could take my son to school IN Riverside (he went to a private school) and driving down into the smog... it was horrible. My son started devoloping "allergy induced athsma" due to the smog. Dr's recommendation... medication to include inhalers OR move... we went back to the Palm Springs area and he outgrew it.

When you mix the heat in that area with the smog... you can feel it on your tongue.. on your skin and on your hair. You can taste it and feel it burn your eyes. There are some really nice areas in Riverside just like anyplace else... but you will "pay" to live there. And you can't get away from that smog. Even living up on the hill... you still have to go down into it to do anything. And as for that 91 Fwy... THE WORST!!!!

[missg]

I just moved from the Inland Empire last May. While I really miss the weather (I'm in the NE now) I don't miss the traffic/congestion. Victoria Gardens is a newer area, and I believe it's rather expensive, but then it may be no more expensive than those surrounding areas. There's a lot to do (ie entertainment, shopping facilities, etc.) but sometimes the traffic on the freeway is insane. The beaches are about 1-1/2 hours away without traffic.
It's a very busy area, so if you're looking for a slower pace, you might be disappointed.

The best grocery store is Stater Brothers and there's a great JC Penny Outlet in Ontario.

Good luck.

[nwraider]

Originally Posted by compltlyme

I spent 6 years in Woodcrest and with my kids... I loved it back then. Could even cross Van Buren on horseback. But so much has changed. Our biggest challenge was driving down that hill so I could take my son to school IN Riverside (he went to a private school) and driving down into the smog... it was horrible. My son started devoloping "allergy induced athsma" due to the smog. Dr's recommendation... medication to include inhalers OR move... we went back to the Palm Springs area and he outgrew it.

When you mix the heat in that area with the smog... you can feel it on your tongue.. on your skin and on your hair. You can taste it and feel it burn your eyes. There are some really nice areas in Riverside just like anyplace else... but you will "pay" to live there. And you can't get away from that smog. Even living up on the hill... you still have to go down into it to do anything. And as for that 91 Fwy... THE WORST!!!!

You ain't kiddin'.. Lived in Moreno Valley/Riverside till I was 35. Left for Seattle a couple years ago, for that same reason, among many reasons. Smog & heat, not a good combo. And I remember Woodcrest when I was a kid, it was considered the "sticks". No more, it's just freakin blowin up like crazy. Friend of mine rents an apt in Orangecrest for about $1500/month.. And the houses you can't even touch with making big time dough..

Anyway, not too familiar specifically with Victoria Grove, but we lived near Arlington High School (right across the street from Don Derr Park) the last three years we were there, and although there a crappy places all over Riverside, we never really had a problem in that particular area. Still some decent homes and it's pretty close to Victoria Ave itself, and close to the freeways going the other direction.. Of course now I'm sure there's even more stuff being built and maybe even more of in influx of gang activity. Like I said, it's been a couple years since we've lived there.. There are some good parts of Riverside left, we just couldn't stand the traffic, smog, heat, price of housing, etc.. Good luck though, hope it all works out for you..

[compltlyme]

Originally Posted by nwraider

You ain't kiddin'.. Lived in Moreno Valley/Riverside till I was 35. Left for Seattle a couple years ago, for that same reason, among many reasons. Smog & heat, not a good combo. And I remember Woodcrest when I was a kid, it was considered the "sticks". No more, it's just freakin blowin up like crazy. Friend of mine rents an apt in Orangecrest for about $1500/month.. And the houses you can't even touch with making big time dough..

Anyway, not too familiar specifically with Victoria Grove, but we lived near Arlington High School (right across the street from Don Derr Park) the last three years we were there, and although there a crappy places all over Riverside, we never really had a problem in that particular area. Still some decent homes and it's pretty close to Victoria Ave itself, and close to the freeways going the other direction.. Of course now I'm sure there's even more stuff being built and maybe even more of in influx of gang activity. Like I said, it's been a couple years since we've lived there.. There are some good parts of Riverside left, we just couldn't stand the traffic, smog, heat, price of housing, etc.. Good luck though, hope it all works out for you..

Hey I recognize you from the WA forum I am now in WA too!!!!

[nwraider]

Originally Posted by compltlyme

Hey I recognize you from the WA forum I am now in WA too!!!!

Yep, recognized your handle too....

Very glad to be a Washingtonian now..

[compltlyme]

Originally Posted by nwraider

Yep, recognized your handle too....

Very glad to be a Washingtonian now..

Let me guess... you owned a CB in the 70's??? Haven't heard that in a while... "Handle."

Thanks for the memory!