The Inland Empire's Affluence (Los Angeles, San Diego: middle-class, real estate, custom home)

[LivingInExiles]

Originally Posted by that1guy

Temecula: Wine Country

I'll elaborate a bit more on Temecula. Even though the wine country areas of the city have some of the largest homes in the Inland Empire, other very affluent areas of Temecula also include Morgan Hill, Santiago Estates, Meadowview, and to a lesser extent Crowne Hill.

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by LivingInExiles

I'll elaborate a bit more on Temecula. Even though the wine country areas of the city have some of the largest homes in the Inland Empire, other very affluent areas of Temecula also include Morgan Hill, Santiago Estates, Meadowview, and to a lesser extent Crowne Hill.

There is also Bear Creak in Murrieta. Exclusive, very rich area.

Temecula has unique characteristics because it is geographically seperated from most of the San Bernardino/Riverside metropolis which has a large Los Angeles influence (and feel). Temecula has been largely inhabited by folks from San Diego and Orange Country and have thus demanded a life style similar to that.

Temecula is also unique in the fact that we actually get ocean breezes through the Rainbow Gap (it is the reason we can actually grow grapes good enough for wine). We're also fairly close to the coast (about a 25 minute drive to Oceanside with no traffic) I don't know of any other IE city that shares those qualities. Because of that there are far more affluent neighborhoods in Temecula than other cities in the IE.

[that1guy]

Originally Posted by eclipxe

There is also Bear Creak in Murrieta. Exclusive, very rich area.

Temecula has unique characteristics because it is geographically seperated from most of the San Bernardino/Riverside metropolis which has a large Los Angeles influence (and feel). Temecula has been largely inhabited by folks from San Diego and Orange Country and have thus demanded a life style similar to that.

Temecula is also unique in the fact that we actually get ocean breezes through the Rainbow Gap (it is the reason we can actually grow grapes good enough for wine). We're also fairly close to the coast (about a 25 minute drive to Oceanside with no traffic) I don't know of any other IE city that shares those qualities. Because of that there are far more affluent neighborhoods in Temecula than other cities in the IE.

Chino Hills and Canyon Lake are technically more affluent.

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by that1guy

Chino Hills and Canyon Lake are technically more affluent.

I agree. I am not sure why Chino Hills has constantly stood out from the rest of the IE but I am inclined to think it has to do with the proximity to Brea/Fullerton/etc as well as having geography that demands a premium (hills/view lots) and good city planning? These are all guesses however.

Canyon Lake is a special case, being a "private" gated city has it's advantages when it comes to affluence levels.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Affluent and expensive, especially when it comes to the Inland Empire, are not one and the same. Yes, there are areas in both counties that have high-end homes and incomes. But I would say that there aren't any areas that would be considered affluent in the general sense. Where are the limos? top-of-the-market boutiques? celebrities? penthouses? True affluence needs an aspirational quality.

[that1guy]

Originally Posted by LivingLikeAGradStudent

Affluent and expensive, especially when it comes to the Inland Empire, are not one and the same. Yes, there are areas in both counties that have high-end homes and incomes. But I would say that there aren't any areas that would be considered affluent in the general sense. Where are the limos? top-of-the-market boutiques? celebrities? penthouses? True affluence needs an aspirational quality.

Affluent in the general sense is not limos, celebs, penthouses. If this were, this would exclude old money (I've seen old money, it's not celebs and limos. It's more business/dignitaries/politicians and more subtle forms of transportation).

Santa Barbara, for example, has few high end stores (go on State St. or Coast Village Rd. in Montecito). Yet, the mansions would indicate that it is a wealthy area. The big purchases are not done in Santa Barbara, but the day to day or simple luxury purchases are done here. This is because the area can't sustain a Chanel, there are simply too few people living here. OC and LA have numerically more people, thus can sustain a Chanel.

Affluence is simply being significantly above the norm financially. With that said, high million dollar listings and strong incomes are affluent. Chino Hills has a median income that is significantly higher than the national median. In fact, it is slightly lower than Beverly Hills. It is slightly lower than Yorba Linda's and Newport Beach's (104k Chino Hills, 110k BH, 113k YL, 150k NB). Since the median income is considered at the top 20% mark of the nation, it would be considered affluent. Because it is the median, that means 50% of the population make more than 104k. Snoop Dogg lives in Chino Hills, so I guess that is a celeb.

The IE has affluent areas, but, since they do not contain a lot of people they can't sustain the very very very high end shops. But, still there are some affluent areas.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by US-Traveller

If you had a choice between living in Phoenix, Arizona and the Inland Empire, which would you select?

Tough call ... both are really hot and smoggy during the summers.

[ConsideringLA]

Originally Posted by that1guy

The IE has affluent areas, but, since they do not contain a lot of people they can't sustain the very very very high end shops. But, still there are some affluent areas.

Truly, the exception and not the norm.

There are some enclaves (The Country in Diamond Bar, for instance) that are quite deluxe. Claremont has some posh stuff. A more common/accurate stereotype of "affluent" IE dwellers consist of ex-OC and LA poseurs that want to live the luxe life and suffer the commute consequences.

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by ConsideringLA

Truly, the exception and not the norm.

There are some enclaves (The Country in Diamond Bar, for instance) that are quite deluxe. Claremont has some posh stuff. A more common/accurate stereotype of "affluent" IE dwellers consist of ex-OC and LA poseurs that want to live the luxe life and suffer the commute consequences.

Not everyone commutes. From my experience the majority of "affluent" folks out here (Temecula/Murrieta) or local business owners or have been in the valley for 20+ years and held land before the area grew exponentially.

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by ConsideringLA

Truly, the exception and not the norm.

There are some enclaves (The Country in Diamond Bar, for instance) that are quite deluxe. Claremont has some posh stuff. A more common/accurate stereotype of "affluent" IE dwellers consist of ex-OC and LA poseurs that want to live the luxe life and suffer the commute consequences.

Diamond Bar and Claremont are in Los Angeles County so would that be considered part of the Inland Empire though?