Info on San Bernardino area (Los Angeles, Riverside: rentals, home, neighborhoods)

[PAMom]

Hubby and I are looking into some post-graduate training opportunities in this area. He most likely would be working at Community Hospital at San Bernardino or San Bern Medical Center, and I would be at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Riverside County Medical Center. We have 4 young children (oldest in pre-school). Where should we look to live? We would like something safe for the kids, in an area with a nice Catholic Church/school if possible, not horrible commutes for either of us, since we would be working long hours (and probably off-hours - i.e. in early and home late). Rent or buy? It would probably only be for 12-15months, but we would need something big enough for the 6 of us and my parents (they are moving with us to watch the kids).

Thanks for your info!

[dusesean1986]

Personally Pamom I Would Wait To Move...the Housing Market In Los Angeles Is At An Nine Year Low For The Month Of December In Los Angeles County...redlands, Yucaipa, Monclair Are Your Best Bets...just Remember I Live In L.a. County Live Close To Where You Work...but If You're Going To Be Working In San Bernadino County And Living There Also You Will Have No Problem With Traffic The Majority Of Traffic Comes Into Los Angeles County...stay Away From Moreno Valley, Fontana, Bloomington, Rialto Hope That Helps...before Moving To Greater Los Angeles You Want To Come Out And Visit The Area Because L.a. Is Definently For Some And Not For Other And Vice Versa...but We Have The Best Weather In The World...yep The 'world'

[PAMom]

Thanks for your info.

We would not be moving until next summer - to start July 1st or thereabouts - and would only be staying for 12-15 months. Are there reasonable rentals in the areas you mentioned? What about schools? If we move forward with this, I would most likely have an interview for the program in late Feb/early March, so we would fly out to CA to check out the area. Then I have to get accepted. Right now, we are just in the info gathering process. Thanks.

[Des_Demona]

Just so you know... the San Bernadino area is primarily latino (and a lot of illegal immigrants and gangs). It's a very dangerous place even to work. Just be prepared as a nurse to be treating a lot of non-english speaking persons. If you know Spanish I'm sure you'll be fine just don't wear any gang colors going to work and be aware of your surroundings. You definitely will not want to live in San Bernadino or most of the surrounding areas. You'll definitely want to live in the outerlying areas like Loma Linda or Redlands. Please do some very thorough exploration and researching prior to moving to that area with children.

[dusesean1986]

Hey PAMOM yeah go to muninetguide.com and you'll find the racial make up of each and every city in the San Bernadino County and the Median Household Income..(then you can know where to speak spanish and what gang colors to flash)...lol..only laughing at Desmona's comment..which are completely bogus and totally untrue...if you don't know the cities in San Bernardino County...go to wikipedia.org press English and then type in San Bernardino County it shall give you the cities and you can type them into muninetguide.com and it will give you information. Remember gangs and rough individuals don't live in upper class neighborhoods. Hope all goes well Pamom write me back for more information and more help!!!!!!!!!!!! OH by the way...they have information based on schools as well...
YOURS SINCERELY

[dodgerdogsforall]

Most of the city is very bad. If you ahve to live in SB go North towards the university. better there but still......I agree that Loma Linda is a great community, South of the 10 in that area is OK- NOT THE NORTH END unless you want to go to Northern rialto, Northern Fontana. Rancho Cucamonga is a great community to live in and you'd be 20-30 minutes from San Bernardino and most likely going against the typical traffic jams that go west towards LA. Upland is a nice city as well so long as you stay to the North end. Areound the 210 freeway you are OK, most of that is newer. Avoid anything too close tot he 15, you don't want your front door facing the freeway like I've seen. Yucaipa is also nice to the east, but that would give you an east to wast commute of the 10, and that's a no no unless you have to. Avoid Bloomington South Fontana and South Rialto, probably forget all of SB as well, and be very selective in Redlands. The area is all developed so you'll have established areas to look at.

[Nick Ondatje]

Hi PAMOM,

My name is Nick Ondatje, I am a lifelong resident of San Bernardino County and also a Realtor in this area. I would love to help you find a great place. I currently live in Redlands in a great neighborhood where my wife takes our 18 month old son on daily walks up and down our beautifully tree lined street. Indeed there are bad areas in San Bernardino but like anywhere else you go there are some great family orientated areas as well. [moderator cut - realtor advertising]

[Kin Atoms]

PA Mom, I've been living and working as a grad student in the community for 8 years. PM me for more info as a student regarding the area, as I can offer a realistic perspective as a student.
I also can affirm much of what has been stated re: gangs, neighborhoods, etc. You want to find a pocket of safety out here, and you should know the neighborhoods very well, as there is a difference sometimes in only 3 blocks distance. Those two hospitals get a lot of trauma cases (gun shot wounds) and persons who don't have primary medical care. Arrowhead is the county hospital in this area. And you should realize too, this is the desert.