Moving to San Bernardino (Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga: apartment complex, rental, big house)

[GirlGoinSouth]

I am currently living about 5 minutes from Portland Oregon and will be moving to San Bernardino...why? I would like to get away from EVERYTHING up here...Long story.

So my question is, where would you advise I look for housing? I am a single mother of 4 boys. I am also going to be looking for employment. Is it just as hard or harder to find a job down here? Any advise or feedback is appreciated.

Are there any programs through the county that can provide assistance with childcare, jobsearch etc?????

[cmac]

Hmm...there must be SOME reason you are headed specifically to San Bernardino so I guess it is pointless to try to dissuade you. As someone who is moving back down that way next month and who is also very familiar with Portland, I would recommend going on up into the San Bernardino Mtns (Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs). Big Bear would be even better, but if you are working in or tied to San Bernardino for some reason, the drive is way easier (and faster) up 18 or 330 to those three communities. You will be in less polluted air for your kids and in 15 to 20 degree cooler air. Our kids were all athletes and we had to drive them off the mountain for competitive sports, but there is plenty of skiing, hiking, mountain biking (designated areas) on the mountain. Big Bear is not that far away from the other communities and that is where you would do water sports (Lake Arrowhead is private). California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country right now and San Bernardino County's is higher than California's. Jobs on the mountain are scarce, so you would drive down every day for work, but it really is not that big of a deal - less traffic coming down than anywhere else in SoCal. San Bernardino is hurting right now - lot of crime, no jobs, air is VERY polluted and move over hell in the summer; however, new areas for shopping and eating are nice. Are you truly stuck on San Bernardino or would you consider other Inland Empire cities or Riverside or LA counties? Also, do your kids like 100+ degree heat?

[ocexpo]

I hope you realize it is really expensive to live in SoCal especially with 4 children. The cost of living may shock you.

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by ocexpo

I hope you realize it is really expensive to live in SoCal especially with 4 children. The cost of living may shock you.

Not if you live in the ghetto armpit of SoCal known as San Bernadino.

[GirlGoinSouth]

Originally Posted by cmac

Hmm...there must be SOME reason you are headed specifically to San Bernardino so I guess it is pointless to try to dissuade you. As someone who is moving back down that way next month and who is also very familiar with Portland, I would recommend going on up into the San Bernardino Mtns (Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs). Big Bear would be even better, but if you are working in or tied to San Bernardino for some reason, the drive is way easier (and faster) up 18 or 330 to those three communities. You will be in less polluted air for your kids and in 15 to 20 degree cooler air. Our kids were all athletes and we had to drive them off the mountain for competitive sports, but there is plenty of skiing, hiking, mountain biking (designated areas) on the mountain. Big Bear is not that far away from the other communities and that is where you would do water sports (Lake Arrowhead is private). California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country right now and San Bernardino County's is higher than California's. Jobs on the mountain are scarce, so you would drive down every day for work, but it really is not that big of a deal - less traffic coming down than anywhere else in SoCal. San Bernardino is hurting right now - lot of crime, no jobs, air is VERY polluted and move over hell in the summer; however, new areas for shopping and eating are nice. Are you truly stuck on San Bernardino or would you consider other Inland Empire cities or Riverside or LA counties? Also, do your kids like 100+ degree heat?

I would consider other cities, more so after hearing so many horrible things about San Bernardino. I realize that things are going to be WAY different than up here in the Pacific Northwest...but in a way I am kind of welcoming a big change. My oldest two kids are only 10 and 6...my 6 year old being the one that is sportsminded. Any info on surrounding cities and info on schools/sports programs would be nice. Also, what about colleges? I am interested in finishing up my schooling. No, my kids won't mind the heat...well I guess we only hit over 100 degrees up here maybe a handful of days during the summer though.

[cmac]

Well, since it's southern California, there are innumerable options for sports programs for kids (and colleges too). If you stayed in Inland Empire (which stretches across parts of Riverside/San Bernardino/LA counties) there are colleges everywhere BUT resident tuition is cheaper than out-of-state (except for private colleges and there are plenty of those too). Communities w/schools great for kids in IE would be Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Claremont (awesome college town but pricey). Montclair is supposed to be less expensive than Claremont but with similar environment. Remember, any of these places are in the middle of some of the busiest freeways in the country - count on traffic jams, smog, relentless city noise. Plus, as already mentioned, the cost of living in SoCal is EXPENSIVE - you will have to do major Craigslist time to find a place and probably will not be a house. Check the forums here for the safest neighborhoods of whatever town you decide on. The cities mentioned above would be more likely to have jobs. If you go further south, Temecula is a community often recommended for families, though I think it is too hot and windy; possibly more availability of big houses to rent and good schools - you would have to drive far for university, though. These forums are invaluable once you narrow down your choices; give us a little more info on what you are looking for and then people can respond.

[GirlGoinSouth]

Originally Posted by cmac

Well, since it's southern California, there are innumerable options for sports programs for kids (and colleges too). If you stayed in Inland Empire (which stretches across parts of Riverside/San Bernardino/LA counties) there are colleges everywhere BUT resident tuition is cheaper than out-of-state (except for private colleges and there are plenty of those too). Communities w/schools great for kids in IE would be Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Claremont (awesome college town but pricey). Montclair is supposed to be less expensive than Claremont but with similar environment. Remember, any of these places are in the middle of some of the busiest freeways in the country - count on traffic jams, smog, relentless city noise. Plus, as already mentioned, the cost of living in SoCal is EXPENSIVE - you will have to do major Craigslist time to find a place and probably will not be a house. Check the forums here for the safest neighborhoods of whatever town you decide on. The cities mentioned above would be more likely to have jobs. If you go further south, Temecula is a community often recommended for families, though I think it is too hot and windy; possibly more availability of big houses to rent and good schools - you would have to drive far for university, though. These forums are invaluable once you narrow down your choices; give us a little more info on what you are looking for and then people can respond.

Maybe everyone could start off by letting me know where NOT to live in San Bernardino and surrounding areas. I would like to keep the entire gang scene as far away from my impressionable boys as possible. My ex husband is an ex gang member...and I have finally instilled into my boys' heads that gangs are NOT the way to go. I also checked out the info on San Bernardino Valley College, and yes I will be paying quite a bit more because of my out of state residency. I have been searching craigslist just to kind of get a feel for rental costs. I am paying 950 a month for a large 2 bedroom 2 bath house...but its on 1/4 acre of nice fenced in yard. I am currently only making 10 dollars an hour as a temp. service coordinator/receptionist. My job would pay more but because of our 'booming' economy...we are in a salary freeze. What kind of pay could I expect to recieve if I were lucky enough to find an office/accounting/data entry job?

[that1guy]

Any reason in particular San Bernardino?

[GirlGoinSouth]

Originally Posted by that1guy

Any reason in particular San Bernardino?

The only particular reason is because my best friend lives there....and its far enough from where I am at now that I think I will be alright....

[puchica]

From what I hear, don't live below 33rd St in San Bernardino. We live up near Cal State San Bernardino and everything is fine. Rent in an apartment complex is about $1000-$1250 for 2 bedroom/2 bathrooms. I think it's a tough job market though. Suggest you call up temp agencies and see what their wait list is like.