Work at Ontario-live inland or the beach? (Anaheim, Huntington Beach: apartments, crime rate)

[subsonic]

I'm moving to the LA area in a few months from Houston, and will be based at Ontario International Airport. I don't know much about the area, other than a few short trips to Disneyland and the beach. I have not heard many positive things about the Ontario area, and would naturally like to live closer to the coast. I will be looking for a 1-bedroom apartment, and can comfortably spend around $1500-1600 on rent. I'm looking for the usual safe, clean, decent area with some things to do. I'm in my early 30's and my fiancee will be moving with me. My main questions are:

1. Is living near the coast, such as Huntington Beach a realistic option? I need to be within an hour or so drive from Ontario. Mapquest says it's possible but I have doubts. Looks like I will be going opposite the traffic but I have no idea what advantage that gives me.

2. How is San Dimas? I visited some family there in the early 90's and remember it being nice, if a bit warmer than the coast. It seems to be closer to ONT airport. Any other nice areas around there? Is this still a nice area?

ANY advice at all is welcome, I've lived in Palm Beach, Vegas, NYC, DC and Houston and moving to LA seems like a whole different ball game.

Thanks!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Has 'the worst traffic in the country' fact not been publicized outside of SoCal?...(lots of posts lately about wacky commutes! ..lol)

There's no way to live in Huntington or anywhere near the beach-for that matter. Just no way..

San Dimas is pretty nice. It has a western-feel. It's pretty safe. There are some rougher sections. It's about 10-15 degrees warmer than the coast in the summer.


Glendora, Rancho Cucumonga, and Claremont are also good options.

[J1ndo]

Ontario is really far from the coast. Really really far. Even though it's only about 45 miles or so to Huntington, it may as well be on the moon. Traffic really is that bad during normal hours between these cities.
It's true that Ontario itself is not that great, but the cities that the poster above mentioned are all nice.

[Paula Lynn]

You may want to look into Diamond Bar. You could live in Huntington Beach if you don't mind driving 2 hours to ONT.

[subsonic]

Thanks for the replies. i do have a friend who lives in Newport Beach and does the commute to ONT. Since we only drive to the airport maybe once a week he says it's doable, takes 50 min on a good day and 1:30 on a bad day. But given the high cost and the potentially long commute I am looking further inland.

Any other ideas of nice places between Huntington/Newport beach areas and ONT?

Also, is any one area known for new construction apartments?

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Well, if it's once a week it's doable.

Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, and Villa Park are considered the crown jewels of eastern North County. I think Anaheim Hills probably has the most new construction..

Tustin Hills also has quite a few new homes(Red Hill, Tustin Foothills, Cowan Heights, Lemon Heights etc..)

Newport Coast is another 25/30 minutes away, and again(like Anaheim Hills) all very nice, new, luxurious, and master-planned.

[SoCal Person]

I would also add LaVerne to the list of nice inland cities in which to live. The crime rate is very low, and it is a stable community with many residents who stay there for generations.