Where to live near IT jobs, safe area, but not so expensive (San Diego: high crime)

[mommyfirst3]

Hello. I am coming from the Northern CA where there is no jobs in Sacramento with a large commute 1.5-2 hours each way) for low pay. We were looking at Thousand Oaks, and Lake Arrowhead. Lake Arrowhead has no jobs nearby, and Thousand Oaks is like 400,000 for a really old cookie cutter house. We also considered Irvine, but again, too expensive. I am now looking at the Inland Empire, but San Bernardino and those areas are too high crime for me, plus no jobs. I am looking for an area that my husband can find many jobs in IT architecture/programming/developing. And for myself, HR/customer service within 30-45 minutes drive for me (an hour is ok for his IT job if needed), that is a decent city to live and to raise kids. LA pays really well. But I cannot find a city that is less than 500,000 and up for an ok home. In the safe Sacramento suburbs, the newer homes are 300,000 and up, but it is hot and I miss Southern CA and all there is to do. Help please for any ideas! I am looking to stay away from gangs and a bad environment, as that is super important to me.

[bhcompy]

Look at Corona, particularly southern Corona. You'll push commute times, but you can find opportunities in IT and HR/CS in OC and north in western Riverside/SB and eastern LA county.

You could also look at Temecula/Murrieta, but I would expect longer commutes. Temecula/Murrieta will give you access to northern San Diego and southern OC(via Ortega Hwy) and up the 15 corridor in Riverside and San Bernardino(not too much tech presence, but lots of other companies related to shipping or distribution and they need IT people too).

You may want to look at Santa Clarita as well. I think prices would probably work for you there, and being along the 5 north of LA you have plenty of access to jobs.

Those areas have newer homes. Most of So Cal is not full of newer homes in your price range. You can find nice houses under 500k in Lakewood(for instance), which is a nice family suburb, but they will be from the 1950s-70s. Sacramento has the luxury of land to expand with newer homes that the greater LA area hasn't had since the 70s or 80s. The High Desert, IE, towards Ventura, Santa Clarita Valley, and way south in OC are where the newst homes are in the area.

[that1guy]

Corona, Riverside, Upland, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga...All have relatively good commutes.

[richardlo]

Your best bet would be to see where the job is first and then decide which area. The places you have suggested may not seem to far on a map but taking commute times into consideration will change the picture dramatically.
Ideally he can find a job that lets him telecommute then it doesnt matter where you chose to live.

[chuck22b]

Originally Posted by that1guy

Corona, Riverside, Upland, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga...All have relatively good commutes.

Especially when they finish the extra lane on the eastbound 91 in a year. This would greatly help those Chino, Chino Hills, Western IE folks on their commute from Irvine/South OC as the 241 would practically have a dedicated lane to the 71.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/freew...-closures.html

The Chino Valley also has the added benefit of being fairly easy access to Brea through Carbon Canyon, and downtown LA via metrolink in Pomona.

If they someday extend the 71 to the 10 (not anytime soon), it'll definitely help out commuters that go to Pasadena.

-chuck22b