Job in Barstow...Where to live? (Los Angeles, Riverside: to rent, home, employment)

[Huskell]

Hello all, My wife and I are trying to decide where to move. She has an employment offer in Barstow but we don't want to live that close to the middle of nowhere. We would like to live in downtown Riverside as we have friends there and like the area. However, we really have no clue if that commute is possible. If it's just over an hour as google maps says than it's a possibility, but we would love to hear from some folks in the area.

Is there any public transportation between Barstow and Riverside? Are there any cool areas (coffee shops, restaurants, safety) in San Bernardino? All we have heard from our friends who grew up in the IE is that SB is really sketchy... Is this true? Please give us some advice on what will be the least painful compromise. How does one work in Barstow and have a good home life that is near you know....something?

For the record, we are in our late 20s, liberal, and I surf. So, being closer rather than further from the ocean is a consideration.

In advance, thanks so much for your input.

[Gandalara]

Riverside to Barstow is approximately 80 miles one-way, up and over the Cajon Pass.

That would be a *miserable* drive. There is no public transportation (ie, city buses) between the two.

Barstow to Newport Beach is about 115 to 125 miles one-way.

Riverside to Newport is about 45 miles through some of the worst traffic Southern California has to offer.

I don't think you're going to get your wishes.

[City Boy]

Whatever you do, don't move to Barstow.

[Huskell]

Yeah, Barstow is out for sure. Is the Cajon Pass drivable throughout the winter? I assume most commuter traffic goes away from Barstow...

Concerning the drive to the coast, I know it is pretty hellish. I have done it a handful of times when visiting.

Any good neighborhoods in Victorville/San Bernardino? Near the college perhaps?

Thanks again.

[Gandalara]

Originally Posted by Huskell

Yeah, Barstow is out for sure. Is the Cajon Pass drivable throughout the winter? I assume most commuter traffic goes away from Barstow...

It depends on the winter -- I can't remember the last time it was closed for the whole day, they usually open it up within in a few hours.

But it can also get closed down *completely* during fire season too.

I got stuck in Hesperia once when they closed it due to fog (late night).

LOL - I don't think there is any commuter traffic in Barstow. Between Apple Valley/Victorville and San Bernardino there can be some. It's 2-4 lanes on both sides all the way over the hill.

If you look for housing in San Bernardino (that'd still be too much of an everyday drive for me, to Barstow) -- choose your neighborhoods very very VERY carefully. Oh, and SB has a city utility tax. Phone, power, gas, water, cable, etc. It was 8%, they're *lowering* it to 7.93%. It adds a LOT to your utility bills.

[MissLariss]

You might check out one of the mountain towns like Crestline or Lake Arrowhead. That would save you a trip up the mountain every day... It still seems too long of a commute to me though.... Good luck finding something!

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by Huskell

She has an employment offer in Barstow

Originally Posted by Huskell

For the record, we are in our late 20s, liberal, and I surf. So, being closer rather than further from the ocean is a consideration.

These two things are not compatible.

The only reason you should accept that job offer in Bartsow is if you intend to use it to save money like mad and promote your further careers. Weekends in Vegas or Los Angeles. Longer weekends = better(ie a modified work schedule to 9/80 or 4/10 is preferable).

Barstow is an armpit. There are a couple nice neighborhoods. Many people live in Apple Valley or Victorville. Those are still a combination of cookie cutter desert suburbia and white trash meth hoods. It doesn't sound like you would be happy at all out there.

I don't think anything in the IE is a reasonable consideration due to the drive. Same thing with the mountain communities. Its about an hour from Big Bear to Barstow and the road WILL be closed during some days in the winter.

[Count David]

Most people that are willing to take a job in Barstow are also those that are willing to live in Barstow. There isn't really much of a way around it. Life will slowly evaporate if she chooses to commute from RIV or SB.

What's more important? The job, or the life?

[smilinpretty]

There are some very nice neighborhoods in Apple Valley, Victorville and Hesperia. Please, please consider living closer to work. Do not buy property but rent.

I agree with the rest of the posters, you would not be comfortable living in Barstow.

Cajon pass can become very foggy and very dangerous to drive. Not uncommon for cars to hit each other during the foggy conditions. I have driven that several times, where we were driving 25 miles an hour..hoping we would not run into a car.

My advice is to rent, live closer to work, and enjoy the surroundings. You have the San Bernardino Mountains nearby that are fun to explore. You are within 3 hours of the ocean. Not far from Vegas. Lake Silverwood is within a 40 min commute. Enjoy!!

[fiercemom]

Check out Spring Valley Lake (SVLA.COM) it is one of the only places I would live in the desert as it is a higher income community.

Good Luck