moving to twentynine palms (Riverside, San Bernardino: apartments, rental, credit)

[wishingLucy]

I'm moving down to Twentynine Palms to be w/ my fiance who is a Marine. Basically, I currently live in Seattle, and I know I'm in for a big change. Honestly, the only thing I'm worried about is work in the area. I've worked retail for a very long time and I'm not sure what I'll do for work unless I choose to commute, which isn't too horrible, I'm just not up for anything more than an hour. What the average wage around there? And what about housing, any good areas with nice apartments?

[surfbeat64]

Hi lucy,
I see that no one has replied to your post. I live in Riverside which is not to far from 29 Palms. But a pretty big difference in climate. I do service work, so I get to see many places in So. Cal. I don't mean to scare you, but I believe that you are in for a MAJOR change compared to Seattle. You will be going from green to burnt brown desert. Very hot summers, winters are probably tolerable. If you hate the cool, green and moisture, you may be OK. I may be wrong but I would believe that the majority of the residents are either retired or end up living there for the same reason that you are moving there (military). I would think that the small size of the town would make a very tough job market. Palm Springs is about 50 min away. I know that you may not have a choice at this time. Perhaps it will only be temporary until your husband relocates again.
That is only my opinion that I wanted to share with you since I did not see any responses.
Good luck with your venture,
Bob

[loyaltubist]

I lived in 29 Palms for about six months. I was able to finish my MS degree in psychology (online) and get a lot of things done while I was going through my divorce. I worked as a civilian at the Marine base.

Summers are extremely hot but it's a dry heat. Ah, they tell you that but you can trust me on this. Another thing that people don't expect during the summer is the rainstorm that takes place every other week, once for about two hours. It's not a friendly, calming kind of storm. It can cause flash floods and these can be deadly. More people are killed by summer flash floods than from the heat.

The desert is beautiful and it's full of life. It's not the same as what you have in Seattle but the people from here love it. There is the Joshua Tree National Park where you will see things that look amazing... huge rocks. (And don't pick up the chollas!) Palm Springs was mentioned but I never went there when I lived in 29 Palms. There are two other communities to explore:

Yucca Valley - - This is a town, not a city. They will correct you if you call it a city. It has a municipal government and some decent shopping, if you consider Wal-Mart decent shopping. It also has a movie theater. The Harley Davidson motorcycle dealer has an old fashioned diner that is very popular.

Joshua Tree - - This is an unincorporated town but it's where the local offices of the San Bernardino County government are located. If you call the police, it will be the sheriff's office at Joshua Tree that handles the call. Joshua Tree has Copper Mountain Community College. There is also a 1950s style coffee house that's lots of fun.

Twentynine Palms - - (be careful how you write it) It's the only "city" in the Morongo Basin. It's roughly the same size as Yucca Valley but it's much quieter. Most people think of the place as being dead. It has a couple of decent supermarkets, which is where most people want to go to kill time when they have nothing else to do.

[loyaltubist]

Average wage for menial jobs is about $8.50 an hour. If you're lucky enough to get a full time job, you might be able to afford a small rental place.

[msa76]

My husband was stationed there for four years. It was awful. Try to transfer as soon as you can!

[goldrazzledaz]

I have recently bid on a one bedroom, one bath, 400 square foot house in Twentynine Palms. From what I have previously studied, this city is one of the few in Southern California where a person of small financial means may be able to acquire a very low-priced fixer-upper home.

I am discussing the possibility of purchasing one particular home
on a Land Purchase Contract or Contract for Deed, as it is commonly
called. This kind of Contract usually requires just a small downpayment
and small monthly payments as well; without having to "qualify" by credit
or income through a bank or other financial institution.

I believe that Twentynine Palms represents a "unique opportunity" for low-income individuals and families to get into property ownership.

I represent GLMP INC., a private non-profit corporation, whose Mission is
to promote housing, food and business for low-income individuals and
families.

Good luck and God Bless you and your family in your relocation to Twentynine Palms, California.

[chosteve]

I live in LA area but I love to go to Joshua Tree National Park. The north entrance is located in Twentynine Palms. I have never seen such big rocks. Would you believe there is a lake in the park? When I visit JT, I normally stay at Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel. All of their suites have full kitchen and BBQ grill in the patio. As I said I love visiting JT and 29 Palms. I do not know if I would stay there though. I was just there this weekend and the weather was perfect. I plan to be back there again during Thanksgiving weekend.

[jmlowman]

My wife did her Master's research on the Pioneertown basalts, so we spent many a weekend in the Yucca Valley area. Before it was sold, we stayed at the Oasis of Eden (talking the 80s here) and even after she got her degree we would go out and stay in one of the theme rooms; usually the art deco room.

Yucca Valley has grown considerably since then. Now we stay at the new Best Western, which is very nice. We get a suite with a full kitchen, widescreen TV, wireless Internet, etc. We're going out there the weekend of November 7th, and I'm taking a class on photography of Joshua Tree National Park.

Last weekend we were in Palm Springs for a conference that my wife was attending, and I thought it was too much hustle and bustle for my liking. However, the number of good restaurants is staggering.