Robert

has written 2 SperlingViews. Currently, Robert is living in Stephens City, VA and has a little something to say:

Corona is ok Posted On: 7/22/2007 2:06:37 PM

Like all places Corona has positive and negatives and whether or not you will like the place depends on what you’re looking for.

The housing, while expensive, is moderately priced based on Southern California standards and is much better than neighboring Orange County. Most of the newer areas were built within the last 20 years so a lot of areas are clean and in good shape. It seems to be a family oriented city with lots of nice subdivisions, all done in the California style. There’s quite a few chain stores and restaurants close by so it’s the typical CA metropolis suburb. The city is mostly on the grid system so it’s easy to navigate your way around. The view of the mountains is really nice and you can get to Palm Springs, Vegas, etc. easier than you can other areas around L.A. Neighboring Riverside has some additional attractions.

The main negative is that the air quality there is terrible, even by L.A. standards. Do your research on air quality before moving here (or anywhere in CA) or you’ll be sorry. Riverside County routinely ranks as having some of the worst air quality in the U.S. (but better than San Bernardino County) and breathing in this air 24-7 has to have long-term health affects. There’s a brown/gray haze that covers the area particularly in the summer. Summer weather can also get quite hot (much more so than the rest of L.A.) but at least it’s not humid. Traffic can be a killer on the 91 especially if you’re commuting east towards Orange County or L.A. I have no idea how people are able to make that commute each day. It’s also a long way from the beach during the summer weekend rush hour.

If you have to live in this area then Corona is by far the best place to be in Riverside County. If you can afford it Yorba Linda is in the O.C. and has better air quality. If you can live further south also check out Temecula.

Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.

Washington DC Guy Posted On: 7/22/2007 2:05:22 PM

Like all places Rancho Cucamonga has positive and negatives and whether or not you will like the place depends on what you’re looking for.

The housing, while expensive, is moderately priced based on Southern California standards. The city is relatively new and so for the most part it’s clean and in good shape. It seems to be a family oriented city with lots of nice subdivisions, all done in the California style. There’s quite a few chain stores and restaurants (just about every one you can imagine) close by so it’s the typical CA metropolis suburb. The city is on the grid system so it’s easy to navigate your way around. The view of the mountains (Mt. Baldy) is really nice along with the sunshine, palm trees, etc. You can get to Palm Springs, Vegas, etc. easier than you can other areas around L.A. and Ontario airport is close by.

The main negative is that the air quality there is terrible, even by L.A. standards. Do your research on air quality before moving here (or anywhere in CA) or you’ll be sorry. San Bernardino County routinely ranks as having some of the worst air quality in the U.S. and breathing in this air 24-7 has to have long-term health affects. There’s a brown/gray haze that covers the area particularly in the summer. Summer weather can also get quite hot (much more so than the rest of L.A.) but at least it’s not humid. Traffic can be terrible if you’re commuting east towards L.A. It’s also a long way from the beach.

If you have to live in this area then R.C. is a good place but do you have to be in this area to begin with? A place in close proximity that has a little better air quality and is a little less cookie cutter suburbia is Corona (I-15 & 91) to the south in Riverside County. I would highly recommend Corona over Rancho Cucamonga if your situation allows it.

Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.