Where to Live in Riverside? (Long Beach, Santa Ana: foreclosure, neighborhoods, luxury)

[Twinkle Toes]

Funny you should ask because I dance in Riverside!!!

I compete in ballroom, so I can tell you about the ballroom/latin/swing clubs and studios. D&D's on Spruce Street has the best floor, this is where I primarily train. They have a public dance every Friday night. Steppin' Out at the corner of Magnolia & Van Buren is pretty happening, but it's kind of a small floor and you have to walk up a flight up outdoor stairs to get to it. They do all the dances but it's primarily a hustle/west coast swing place. Buddy Schwimmer's 5-6-7-8 studio in Redlands on State Street is excellent for swing and latin - particularly for west coast swing. I train there as well. There's also Shake it Up in Redlands that draws a younger crowd on Saturday nights. Some friends of mine put on twice monthly dances at various locations around Riverside and the locations are usually announced in our newsletter a month in advance. There is also Sevilla in Riverside for salsa and flamenco.

I'll post more info as I receive it.

[Mr.Cat]

Do they do teach swing. I have been dying to learn how to swing. Cool beans. What other dances do they teach?

[Twinkle Toes]

All the ballroom dances - American Smooth (waltz, foxtrot, tango, viennese waltz); International Standard (waltz, tango, foxtrot, viennese waltz, quickstep); American Rhythym (cha cha, samba, swing, rumba, bolero, mambo) and International Latin (paso doble, samba, cha cha, rumba, jive).

There are a whole sub-set of swing dances though. The two main forms of swing being East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing, then from there you have lindy hop,charleston, shag, balboa, hustle, etc.

And there's salsa - which is kind of its own category.

[Mr.Cat]

Awesome. What are the requirements if any to enroll?

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Species 8472

So, why do I keep reading posts about Riverside being a gang infested, crime ridden slum that has few parks and out-of-doors venues? Is this inaccurate, or are people just overly grim?

Because people like to complain? Look at the posts about Fontana for example.... not very encouraging and most of them from people whose only exposure to this place is what they see on Cops. I live here and love the place, but I'm not going to flood the forum with glowing posts about Fontana in some misguided effort to counter the negativism , mainly because I don't care if anyone moves here or not. If someone asks, I'll offer up an opinion, but only then.

So what you're left with are the grim posts. Don't let them sway you.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cat

Awesome. What are the requirements if any to enroll?

Two legs might be good!

[Mr.Cat]

Do they have weekend classes also?

[Twinkle Toes]

Yes - there's something every day or night of the week at any of the places I listed. You know what's fun? When the Swing Dance camps come to Palm Springs! We just had a 6 day event here over New Years, but there's another one coming up. I can get you the details, if you want. It's literally thousands of swing dance enthusiasts from the different clubs all over the US. It's a great place to make new friends or re-connect with old friends - plus learn some new tricks and moves too.

[Species 8472]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Because people like to complain? Look at the posts about Fontana for example.... not very encouraging and most of them from people whose only exposure to this place is what they see on Cops. I live here and love the place, but I'm not going to flood the forum with glowing posts about Fontana in some misguided effort to counter the negativism , mainly because I don't care if anyone moves here or not. If someone asks, I'll offer up an opinion, but only then.

So what you're left with are the grim posts. Don't let them sway you.

This is helpful. Thanks

[sehnsucht5150]

Can anyone give some more places with a relaxed feel , not so much in a city, maybe just a little outside of a city in riverside county where one can breathe and not be stuck in traffic all the time. Greener the better.