moving to Barstow (Victorville: to rent, crime, house)

[AZM]

I once lived in Barstow and in Yermo and I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that the wind blows like a ****ing wind tunnel! Everything leans because of the wind, even the grass! It never stops, sand pits your windshield and drives you crazy. Blows so hard that they can't keep wind generators up because they blow down. A lot of the crime can be attributed to the people going to or from Las Vegas. Not much in the way of good jobs unless you work at one of the bases, even Yellow Freight closed its doors. The Barstow mall anchored stores like K-Mart and Sears and they closed because more was being stolen then bought. Bars suck, schools suck and so does the single life. The water in the area is contaminated from chemicals that Southern California Edison and the Marine base have dumped for generations.

[juju226]

I lived in Barstow between 1966-1986, from ages 10-30. My father retired there after being stationed at Ft. Irwin. He had grown up in New Hamphire and hated the winters so the climate in Barstow was just what he was looking for. It takes some getting use to but as you acclimate to it, it can be nice. The summers are dry and hot but most evenings a wind picks up and cools it down making it cooler than Palm Springs. The skies at night are beautiful and the stars are amazingly bright.
The area of Barstow is comprised of several communities: Barstow, Lenwood, Hinkley, Daggett, Newberry Springs and Yermo. Most people know it as "the little town on the way to Vegas" and are unaware that it is also home to Santa Fe Railroad classification "hump" yard; Marine Corps Logistics Base and is the closest city to Fort Irwin Military Reservation and Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex of NASA's Deep Space Network of radio telescopes.
Personally, I do not feel Barstow is a good place to raise a family because it is not family friendly because there is little for families to do and community resources are limited. Even when I was growing up, unless you were atheltic and participated in little league sports there was little to do. Barstow has a high incidence of drug and alcohol use/abuse and I believe it is due to lack of boredom. Shopping is limited, there is a Wal-Mart but to shop elsewhere you must travel to Victorville/Hesperia. Since I have moved, the town has gotten more and more run down looking.

[juju226]

Originally Posted by AZM

I once lived in Barstow and in Yermo and I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that the wind blows like a ****ing wind tunnel! Everything leans because of the wind, even the grass! It never stops, sand pits your windshield and drives you crazy. Blows so hard that they can't keep wind generators up because they blow down. A lot of the crime can be attributed to the people going to or from Las Vegas. Not much in the way of good jobs unless you work at one of the bases, even Yellow Freight closed its doors. The Barstow mall anchored stores like K-Mart and Sears and they closed because more was being stolen then bought. Bars suck, schools suck and so does the single life. The water in the area is contaminated from chemicals that Southern California Edison and the Marine base have dumped for generations.

The reason that K-Mart left was because WalMart moved in and took over the customer base. The pollution of the water was only in the Hinkley area (that's what the movie Erin Brockavich was based on). The water in Bartow has a high alkaline level and you can see stuff floating in the water but it is safe to drink. The winds that are the worse occur in March and are known as Hurricane Winds and yes they are nasty. Barstow also is home to the Edison Solar plan in Dagget, one of the very first solar plants.

[barstowgirl]

i was born and raised in barstow. My whole family is in the surrounding areas mentioned above. I will admit that the jobs are not great unless you work for santa fe (hubbys job), marine corp base, fort irwin, but it does have some opprotunity. we do have a local college, a movie theater, walmart, 4 or 5 large grocery stores. The area has been taken over by other races.

My hubbys job was transfered to kansas, talk about nothing to do. i miss the desert terribly. What i loved the most was everything from vegas, the river, snowboarding, the beach was all within a 3 hour radius. there is also rock climbing, 4 wheeling. 30 minutes out of yermo is baker and not to far from that is dumont. Huge sand dunes. There are a couple nice areas that have not been infiltrated. there is always silver lakes 15 minutes alont route 66. i lived there as well and loved every minute. I will take the wind, and heat over freezing temperatures, whicked thunderstorms and tornados for one night to see the sunset and sunrise in BARSTOW.

The bar life is not too bad. its certainly better then where i am.

[jeffncandace]

I grew up in North Edwards, about 50 miles west of Barstow. My ex-girlfriend grew up in Barstow and I used to spend quite a bit of time there.

Barstow really is a hole. It's a nasty, dirty town with absolutely nothing going for it. Visit and see for yourself if you don't believe us posters. The only positive thing I can muster up is that the old Santa Fe station has a marginally cool museum.

I would earnestly recommend living in Victorville or the surrounding area as opposed to Barf-stow.

[Janlea]

I have lived in Barstow since September 2006. My husband and I moved here from Michigan due to an opportunity for good employment at the local military base. Barstow has a little more to it than being a stopping point on the way to Las Vegas. Fort Irwin is a nationally recognized training ground for troops being deployed to Iraq. The weather conditions here are very similar-ugh.
There are a few nice neighborhoods to live, I was lucky enough to find a home in one of them. Yes, the rental rate is high, but it is in any military town. The turnover of residents is high due to soldiers being stationed here with their family for a time until they move elsewhere.
I would definitely stay out of any dark areas at night. Barstow has more than it's share of transients and homeless. Drugs are very prominent, so you need to turn a blind eye to that. As long as you stay within the nicer communities which are patrolled by both police and county sheriff's, it can be a decent place to live. A 30-45 minute trip to Apple Valley, Victorville, or Hesperia has plenty of shopping, restaurants, etc. Barstow is not exactly the best place to live, but you can live here comfortably if you do it right.

[germs]

I just registered to the site to be able to post a reply to this thread...hopefully I can give an unbiased opinion. I was born and raised in Vegas, went to college, joined the military, and came to Ft Irwin to stay close to home. I have a wife and a newborn.
I chose to purchase a home in Barstow due to its proximity to Ft Irwin and the fact that I refuse to commute on a 3 hour round trip to live in a "better" neighborhood.
THE BAD:
Barstow has its quirks. It is run down, mom and pop businesses are abundant as are abandoned buildings. Being the midpoint between Vegas and LA, and having route 66, Highway 58, the 40 and I-15 all intersect at Barstow make it a haven for drug trafficking...hence there are many folk ("the crazies") that have gone astray in the community. Crime is high, and unless you make an effort to assimilate, you will stand out like a sore thumb with your nice ride and prada shoes while shopping at Walmart...making you a target. You are guaranteed to be approached by a bum everytime you stop and get gas and possibly when leaving the grocery store. The silver Valley unified school district is in shambles, so unless you are or will be truly "involved" with your children's learning at home, they may suffer.
All that said, there are positives in the community
THE GOOD:
There is a real sense of community within Barstow. There is a small but rapidly growing population of upwardly mobile young adults that are drawn to the city by the opportunity of growth and the prospect of jobs (which there is no lack of if you have at least an associates or military experience). Tract houses are being built as we speak, and being sold almost as fast as they are put on the market. There are several houses that are easily valued at over 5-600K in the "upscale" neighborhoods in Barstow. A new home depot was built, and more growth is to come. If you are a young investor and a gambler, Barstow may be where to put your money at. Ski/Snowboard resort is less than an hour away where there is also a lake for the summer, vegas is 2 hours away as is the Beach in Cali. If dirt biking is your thing, just pull around your neighborhood and have at it. In short, Barstow has potential, especially with the possibility of the Indian Casinoes that may be built shortly. In my neighborhood, the neighbors are friendly, kids run the streets, and people walk at all hours of the day/night.

In sum, Barstow is ...ok. I do not plan on staying here more than 3 years, simply because I do not feel I can wait long enough for Barstow to develop. However, i do feel that it is slowly creeping in the right direction, and will become a Victorville in 10 -15 years. With more growth, there is more money, and with more money come better schools and resources.
Tips to the potential new Barstownian:
1. Go to the Post office in the morning to "see" the average Barstow citizen (truly an eye opening experience for me).
2. Arrange a Ride-a-long with the Sherriffs office...ride in the car with them for a day to get the low on the city.
3. Speak with a real estate agent (i.e. Coldwell Banker) to check out houses and developing communities in Barstow.

Apologize for the run on, but hope this helps a bit.

[99raptor]

Yea thats what barstow doesn't need "indian casino's".i lived in victorville ,worked in barstow so i'm qualified to say barstow is a 'hole.

[punkerbob]

I have lived in Barstow my whole life, I will soon turn 26 and am one of the lucky few to have a good paying job at Ft.Irwin. When I was growing up this town was growing too. The Barstow Mall was busy with K-Mart, KB Toys, and a few others. It was becuse of the coruption by the "Good Ol' Boys" that run this town that we are considered the armpit of the Mojave Desert. Through thier greed we suffer. Many business wanted to come in but those who own the land wouldn't sell for less the over top dollar, so said business went to Victorville instead. We do have a problem with illegal immigrants Boarder Patrol sweeps the town 4 times a year. Our crime is more then double the national average and according to the FBI not only do we have 16 active gangs, but we are short 3 police officers as well. We are in the Guiness Book of World Records for being the number one methanphedimine producer in the COUNTRY! I cant go to Starbucks on Main St. because a minimum of 5 crackheads/hobos will hit me up for money and they are very persistant even going as far to follow you to your vehicle. Barstow is trash. I stay because of my job and the cost of living. I try and buy local to boost the economy, but most people will just drive ti Victorville. When I retire or find more gainful employment i will be renting a u-hual and heading down the road never to return, not even for a visit. This is comming from a guy who lives here. If you are thinking of moving hear remeber the following: DONOT live anywhere other then Barstow Hights its the only place in town that doesnt have project housing within a one mile radius. Private or home school your children, our teachers are over paid babysitters will little intrest in chikdren except the ones going to jail for molestation. Our small town has 85 sex offenders at last count.. Our crime is more then double the national average, with robbery, rape, drug arrests, theft, and violent crimes on the rise. We have held steady with our 5 murders a year. Stay away from Riverside Dr. cops don't even go down there. Be mindful of what you wear and drive, someone will stab you for your coach bag, and finally this isnt a racist comment but if you are white and its past 11pm stay home a gallon of milk isnt worth you getting shot.

[ftgolfer]

I wish I had something good to say about Barstow, unfortunately I don't. Since that's the case, I'll just refer you to the locals and let them tell it. Desert Dispatch : Home Page, go here and go onto the forum's. You'll be able to talk directly to the locals.