From Georgia To Rancho Cucamonga? (Ontario, Pomona: houses, neighborhood, purchase)

[oldhousegirl]

A Chicago native that has lived in Ga. for a few years coming from Arizona wants to know more about Rancho Cucamonga. It appears to be a nice family town. For those who know, is RC a good bet for an active sports family with a 12 year old son? Actually, I am open to suggestions. The house/area must be within 2-3 hours of LA, and priced between 400k-575k, can be a little higher. Would like some diversity, and a town with a local community flavor with a walkable downtown area or some walkable parts. I also looked into Temecula.

I prefer 60's houses and/or houses with open floorplans and big windows. I am spoiled from a 60's split level that I loved in Illinois. Or, I like the stucco and tiles similiar to Temecula, which is what I lived in in Az and loved. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Rancho is a great city. The housing is mostly newer. I think you will have few options for 1960's homes. The schools, I hear, are great. Rancho offers a wide-selection of shopping as well as access to nearby Montclair and Ontario Mills.

Claremont is also nice and family friendly. Claremont houses tend to be older than Rancho Cucamonga. Claremont HS just finished a large renovation.

Look into both these areas as well as Glendora, Chino Hills, Upland, and Diamond Bar. Good luck in your move.

[oldhousegirl]

Thanks Newport, appreciate it!

[Cami]

Originally Posted by oldhousegirl

A Chicago native that has lived in Ga. for a few years coming from Arizona wants to know more about Rancho Cucamonga. It appears to be a nice family town. For those who know, is RC a good bet for an active sports family with a 12 year old son? Actually, I am open to suggestions. The house/area must be within 2-3 hours of LA, and priced between 400k-575k, can be a little higher. Would like some diversity, and a town with a local community flavor with a walkable downtown area or some walkable parts. I also looked into Temecula.

I prefer 60's houses and/or houses with open floorplans and big windows. I am spoiled from a 60's split level that I loved in Illinois. Or, I like the stucco and tiles similiar to Temecula, which is what I lived in in Az and loved. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Hello Old House Girl,

Rancho has some areas with homes that fit the bill as far as split level, big windows and very nice floorplans, "BUT" you will have a nice price tag to go with it. Homes in those areas will run you anywhere in the area of 950K and up. If older homes are what you are attracted to you may want to look in areas like Montclair, Diamond Bar, Clairmont, Covina etc. However, be prepared to pay 700k and up. Many of these homes will be fixer uppers but in nice stable communities. Home prices in the IE are not what they use to be. In fact, all of your very nice areas are going to cost you some big bucks! You may be able to purchase a newer home in the Temecula /
Murrietta area for your price range. If you wouldn't mind providing more info of what is important for you in a home, square footage, bedrooms, family, work etc., I can point you in the right direction.

Take care,
Cami

[oldhousegirl]

Hi Cami and thanks. What's important to me is a house with a nice open floor plan with about 1900-2800sq. ft., don't really need a formal dining room. A family room with sliding doors to the backyard and an ajoining kitchen. Vaulted ceilings in the family room would be nice. A lot of atleast 8000 sq. ft. although I know that many of the homes are are smaller lots, so that can be compromised somewhat. Also a neighborhood or subdivision with sidewalks, and an excellent high school for my son. I am asking for the world I know!

As far as price, I can go up, but I truly would like something under 800k.

[cmarie]

Hi, As the other poster mentioned you may want to consider other areas. I live in Claremont. It is an awesome city. Very much a small town atmosphere. Also we are a college town. The Claremont Colleges look like they were plunked down from some east coast college town. Also Look up Pomona College (part of the Claremont colleges). It is one of the best colleges in the nation rated # 2 by U.S. News and World Reports. The schools are awesome, Claremont High School is one of the best 100 public schools in the nation. We have relatively little crime. We about 30 miles from downtown LA and about 15 miles from Pasadena. I live in a mid Century Post and Beam home(modern) on an Acre of Land. While my lot size is not typical there are a number of mid-century homes in Claremont. Also we have an area called the village. Most homes in the village are craftsman or spanish style and were built in the early 1900's. Claremont is a very close knit community I know most of my neighbors. Youth sports is a big deal here with soccor, basketball, tennis, little league etc. All that said, you might just want to give it a look-see.

[oldhousegirl]

Thanks cmarie. I am looking into Claremont, sounds like a nice place.