Working in Barstow (Los Angeles, Victorville, Hesperia: rent, HOA, hotels)

[BigLuvins]

I am seriously considering taking a job opportunity with a government contractor located in Barstow. I would be relocating from the mid-west. Any suggestions on what areas I should check out when looking for places, I'm trying to cap my commute time at about an hour if I can but if I can find a good area a little farther away I would consider it. I have looked at places in the Spring Valley Lake area, which I am told is one of the few decent areas of Victorville. Any suggestions?

[LQQKOUT]

Not much to choose from ~ SVL in Victorville is decent. Depends on what your income is and what exactly you are looking for. Do you have kids? SVL is a HOA planned community so be perpared for the dues and maintances they require to keep up your property.

[Donn2390]

Barstow is 30 minutes from Apple Valley. Great place to live and raise a family. Many upscale areas. Stop by for coffeee, I'll show you around...

[BigLuvins]

Just a follow up to my post. It would be just myself, my dog and my bike. I've always enjoyed driving my bike in the mountains. It's kind of hard to do it on a regular basis in Illinois but if anyone likes to ride how are the roads and views in the mountains.

[LQQKOUT]

Mountain views are nice, the drive (the back way) up to Big Bear is beautiful. Although those hairpin turns are killer.

Hwy 2 to Wrightwood is a nice bike run to, just watch out for the idiot teenagers.

[twista6002]

There really isn't much around Barstow. I had to be a Debbie Downer but it's a very desolate and depressing area. If you've never seen it before you're going to be in a culture shock coming from the midwest

[Donn2390]

Originally Posted by twista6002

There really isn't much around Barstow. I had to be a Debbie Downer but it's a very desolate and depressing area. If you've never seen it before you're going to be in a culture shock coming from the midwest

It all depends on what you like. The desert is beautiful, and has much to offer, but it is different than NJ..!

[JohnG72]

I'm gonna make a few assumptions, first of which is that you will be working at Ft Irwin. IF thats the case, understand that its 35 miles between Barstow and Irwin and you absolutely must drive the speed limit(too many police on that road). So figure a 40 minute commute just from Barstow.

I agree about the culture shock thing. Barstow is a crap hole.

IF I were you, I'd live in Barstow as cheaply as possible, work my rear end off during the week, and just save like mad while planning to eventually move out of Barstow and have a bunch of money when I left. If at all possible, get on a 4/10 schedule or ask your employer if you can work extra hours M-Th so you are off work on Friday by noon.

I'd enjoy my weekends as much as possible. That is the bright spot. If you have a decent commuter car, Big Bear and Wrightwood are both about an hour-hour and a half drive from you and are pretty wonderful places. Also you are only about an hour and a half from Vegas. The low end hotels there are really cheap, even on weekends as low as $30 a night or so and there is plenty to do there. A few are even pet friendly.

I'd also get on eharmony or some other online dating site. Just put factual info about who you are and why you live where you live and plan on meeting up with people on weekends either in Los Angeles/OC/Inland Empire or in Las Vegas. Barstow is about 25,000 people, Apple Valley/Victorville is a few hundred thousand, but I'm guessing the dating pool of women in their 20's is extraordinarily small.

And good god do not buy a house. Your post seems to suggest you might if you are considering the areas you are. Unless you want to hold on to it for 10-20 years or don't mind taking a loss when you sell.

[BigLuvins]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

I'm gonna make a few assumptions, first of which is that you will be working at Ft Irwin. IF thats the case, understand that its 35 miles between Barstow and Irwin and you absolutely must drive the speed limit(too many police on that road). So figure a 40 minute commute just from Barstow.

I agree about the culture shock thing. Barstow is a crap hole.

IF I were you, I'd live in Barstow as cheaply as possible, work my rear end off during the week, and just save like mad while planning to eventually move out of Barstow and have a bunch of money when I left. If at all possible, get on a 4/10 schedule or ask your employer if you can work extra hours M-Th so you are off work on Friday by noon.

I'd enjoy my weekends as much as possible. That is the bright spot. If you have a decent commuter car, Big Bear and Wrightwood are both about an hour-hour and a half drive from you and are pretty wonderful places. Also you are only about an hour and a half from Vegas. The low end hotels there are really cheap, even on weekends as low as $30 a night or so and there is plenty to do there. A few are even pet friendly.

I'd also get on eharmony or some other online dating site. Just put factual info about who you are and why you live where you live and plan on meeting up with people on weekends either in Los Angeles/OC/Inland Empire or in Las Vegas. Barstow is about 25,000 people, Apple Valley/Victorville is a few hundred thousand, but I'm guessing the dating pool of women in their 20's is extraordinarily small.

And good god do not buy a house. Your post seems to suggest you might if you are considering the areas you are. Unless you want to hold on to it for 10-20 years or don't mind taking a loss when you sell.

Thanks for your input. And no, I have no intention of buying in that area. I would not be working in Ft. Irwin, I'm a tree-hugger (or cactus hugger in this case) and would be working for an environmental company in Barstow. I guess my point is, do I have any choice other than Victorville (visited Barstow and I don't disagree with the crap hole description). I'm just trying to find something where bars don't cover the shop windows and I can take my dog for a walk without being heavily armed or hassled by bums (a pug isn't particularity good at deterring criminals)

[LQQKOUT]

Originally Posted by BigLuvins

Thanks for your input. And no, I have no intention of buying in that area. I would not be working in Ft. Irwin, I'm a tree-hugger (or cactus hugger in this case) and would be working for an environmental company in Barstow. I guess my point is, do I have any choice other than Victorville (visited Barstow and I don't disagree with the crap hole description). I'm just trying to find something where bars don't cover the shop windows and I can take my dog for a walk without being heavily armed or hassled by bums (a pug isn't particularity good at deterring criminals)

You will find that in places of the Victorville/Apple Valley/Hesperia areas.
Although, there is some nice areas you can still find, you just have to weed through. There is not really much else out there worth considering. Take the advise of the above poster and rent and be a pack rat and save like the dickens. I wouldn't recommed the Victorville-Barstow commute due to the High gas prices....that way you'll never get ahead in life.

Good luck to you!