How religious do I have to be to live in Loma Linda? (Redlands: house, safe area)

[123tomsk]

We are moving from out of state to Loma Linda (or surrounding areas if we have to). It looks like this town has its own ways based on religion. Is there room for a young couple like ourselves, who is still interested in drinking, partying, dancing and participating in fun activities. Is somebody going to burn our house and vehicles if we don't go to their church? If yes, what is the closest location that we should choose in order to feel safe.

[123tomsk]

I'm not familiar with the 7th-day adventist church and it seems like most of the people in this town belong to this Church. How aggressive are they about making you join their church and how negative are they about people from different religions? Would it be allright for me to move into this town or should I think about a different location?
Thanks,

[cynwldkat]

I wouldn't worry about it. My mother lived there for years and no one ever bothered her. Yes, it is/was a majority 7th-day adventist but I never saw it pushed on anyone personally! I loved Loma Linda. It's a nice smaller town.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by 123tomsk

Is there room for a young couple like ourselves, who is still interested in drinking, partying, dancing and participating in fun activities. Is somebody going to burn our house and vehicles if we don't go to their church? If yes, what is the closest location that we should choose in order to feel safe.

My husband and I stayed in Redlands for two months while he underwent treatment at Loma Linda Medical Center. We shopped in town at the local Von's. If we purchased a bottle of wine, we received snarky looks from the cashier and those in line every time. That was in 2006. This year we went back to Loma Linda as my husband needed to have a simple procedure done that he needed to be knocked out for. I asked the nurse if he was allowed to have one glass of wine later with his dinner and you should have heard the response I got. She berated me with the evils of wine and the benefits of juice instead. Her rant lasted several minutes until she noticed I was ignoring her. I certainly felt this was a little out of line. A simple yes or no would have sufficed.

My feeling is the entire town is down on drinking and besides that it is completely dead at night for young singles. If you are looking for a safe and younger area that you can still have a cocktail or nightlife without being sneered at, try Redlands. We love this little town. Just be sure to end up on the "right" side of town. I think it is the south side. The other side of the freeway can be a little rough.

Why the move to Loma Linda if I might ask? I may be able to offer more information.

[123tomsk]

Thanks for the reply and for the information. We are moving to Loma Linda, or surrounding areas because my wife got a job offer over there.
Thanks again, and if you have any more information please share.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I was raised a Seventh Day Adventist but no longer practice the religion.

I can tell you for sure that among communities that are SDA, Loma Linda is probably the more tolerant of them. However drinking is against the belief of the religion.

I would just ignore someone stupid enough to harass you about drinking. Drink your wine, if someone says something I would tell them to mind their own business.

Its been many years since I was in Loma Linda so I don't have current information on that town but SDAs are a different breed even for someone like me who grew up that way. Now I am away from them, they seem like such freaks.

If someone does approach you with religious tracts or with a can collecting money, just tell them your not interested. I am a little more snarky, I tend to tell them things like "I'm a Branch Davidian, I'm a devil worshipper, I'm a Catholic" whatever I feel like saying at the time.

Personally, I have felt that if you give them an inch, they will take a mile. Don't bother trying to be polite because it will be perceived as a way for them to gather in more souls for jesus.

On the other hand, you probably won't have to deal with things like loud annoying drunken parties. Adventists also don't smoke and many are vegetarians. Its unusual that they are foul mouthed as well. There are upsides to living among them as long as you can make them give up on your soul.

[123tomsk]

So, in order to be able to participate in night life and entertainment we would have to live in Redlands?
It’s not like we are heavy drinkers, but we do enjoy going out on weekends to a club, or abar, or a restaurant. Where do normal people hang out? How about all the students from LLU? Do they have any places to spend free time?
And about distances overthere: are Loma Linda and Redlands actual towns that you have todrive from one to another, or just some geographical names which in essence are two neighborhoods of five blocks each?
My wife is going to be working in Loma Linda, but we can live within 20 - 25 minutes drive, so, where does it get us?

Thanks
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[Beth56]

Originally Posted by 123tomsk

So, inordertobeabletoparticipateinnightlifeandentertai nmentwewouldhavetoliveinRedlands?
It’snotlikeweareheavydrinkers, butwedoenjoygoingoutonweekendstoaclub, orabar, orarestaurant. Wheredonormalpeoplehangout? HowaboutallthestudentsfromLLU? Dotheyhaveanyplacestospendfreetime?
Andaboutdistancesoverthere: areLomaLindaandRedlandsactualtownsthatyouhavetodri vefromonetoanother, orjustsomegeographicalnameswhichinessencearetwonei ghborhoodsoffiveblockseach?
MywifeisgoingtobeworkinginLomaLinda, butwecanlivewithin20 - 25minutesdrive, so, wheredoesitgetus?
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You can live anywhere you want. I am not suggesting you don't live there, it's safe. It's just that if the Adventist, non-drinking, vegan lifestyle is not for you, you might find another town more interesting. It's a personal preference. There is not much night life for singles in Loma Linda, that's why I suggested Redlands which is only a few miles away (10 minutes by car). I hope I clarified that for you.

And I have no idea where LLU students hang out or if they are Adventists.

[cynwldkat]

It's true...not a whole lot of night life in Loma Linda. It is a safe area and there are not so many drug/alcohol problems there. Redlands is very close to Loma Linda and is a larger town. Do your research on the areas close to Loma Linda. I can only say my mother never personally had anyone treat her badly or approach her about religion. I'm not saying it doesn't happen. Do your research before you make any decisions!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by Beth56

You can live anywhere you want. I am not suggesting you don't live there, it's safe. It's just that if the Adventist, non-drinking, vegan lifestyle is not for you, you might find another town more interesting. It's a personal preference. There is not much night life for singles in Loma Linda, that's why I suggested Redlands which is only a few miles away (10 minutes by car). I hope I clarified that for you.

And I have no idea where LLU students hang out or if they are Adventists.

Loma Linda University is an Adventist University.
Another thing that was an issue at the Adventist University in Texas were soda machines that sold caffeinated beverages. Parents kicked up such a fuss, they were all removed from the campus.