Reviews & Comments
Lancaster, CA
I did 18 years time in the Antelope Valley... -
6/10/2006...and yes, it was like a prison sentence.
Moved there in 1985, left 2003,now live in Granada Hills CA with 3 of my kids, nobody is 'homesick'.
Health: there is more asthma and respiratory distress in the Antelope Valley (henceforth referred to as 'AV') than in any locations to the south and west. On my allergist's 'respiratory distress' map, on a rating of 1 to 10 (10 being worst), the AV pulls a solid 10. Some people moving there will soon find themselves in an emergency room with their child gasping for air due to the blowing dust, and especially due to the winter blooming of the pigweed. Been to ER more than once for this with one of my kids, but no more in our new location.
Afternoon Backyard Barbecues:best from mid-October to mid-december, since these are the months when you can NOT set your clock by the roaring afternoon winds that start at 2PM. I have seen in summer 110 degrees and 35MPH winds from the west. $500 summertime electric bills (if you use air conditioning) are not uncommon.
House values: When the housing bubble bursts (and it will), the AV will be the first to feel it in the Southern California housing market. Write this down...when the market slows, and all the ARM loans make their presence felt, you will see a lot of people upside-down in their houses up there. I witnessed this in 1989-1991...sharp spike upward in 'value', then it plummets. Boom-bust up there, and the real estate professionals know how to exploit this cycle. Sell when the market is hot, and buy the forclosures when it's not.
Family life: Higher than average divorce rate up there because it is INDEED a bedroom community, a human storage facility for the worker bees who slog themselves to the San Fernando Valley and beyond. 2 hours commute each way is not uncommon...do the math. 4 hours on the road, 9 hours at work,7 hours sleep, leaves you 4 conscious hours to recover from your 13 hour day and do WHAT exactly?? It wears people out, frays nerves and fractures families. This is even WORSE when Mom works too...unsupervised kids is a problem WAITING to happen.
Housing affordability and Crime: Crime is ever on the rise, pay no mind to politically-motivated statistical presentations made by local officials and paid for by the real estate interests... the AV is still one of the few places left in Southern California where you can afford both your apartment/HUD home payments and STILL have enough money left over to buy drugs. Years ago the local newspaper
Simi Valley, CA
Vandalism will continue to rise... -
5/27/2006...as long as governments keep subsidizing 'affordable housing' in Simi Valley. Look at who it attracts ! On weekends, where are all the cop cars? Are they in the neighborhoods with large houses, or at the apartment complexes and HUD homes?