Apple Valley Desert Living
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12/3/2019
I've lived in Apple Valley for 11 years. The town is poorly managed, but still an okay place to live. In your climate rating you say average rainfall is 14 inches per year. Records kept from 1947 to 2019 show five inches per year is the average. This is the High Desert, 3000 to 4000 feet elevation. It snows at my house about 3 times a year, with the maximum being about a foot. About 25% of the population is in section 8 housing, and on complete welfare. They come from the inner city because all the welfare housing there is full. A large number of illegal alien families live here, making a heavy load on local welfare rolls. Fully 35% of the population are retirees, who moved here to escape the high cost of housing, and high L.A. taxes. Cultural opportunities are few, and mostly far, far away. Other than government jobs, opportunity to earn decent wages are also far away, requiring long, long, daily commutes. There is no mass transit, as the rail lines are full 24 hours a day with freight trains. We do have all the franchise Burger fast food, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, CVS, Walgreens, B of A, Chase, etc. There are many good places to eat out, but no fine restaurants. There are hospitals nearby and healthcare clinics, but the ratings for all of these are in the middle at best. Many people have to travel 50 miles or more to see their doctor or for hospitalization. (Kaiser, VA, etc.) Lots of Car Dealers, tire shops, Auto parts stores, and mechanics. Also lots of Thrift Stores, yard sales and estate sales. The climate overall is pleasant, with hot summers but very, very, dry. Winters are cool but not real cold, with very little rain. Spring and Fall are really wonderful seasons, just about as good as it gets. The crime rate is not a low one, but not the highest either. Lock your doors, and keep a weapon handy. The mountain resorts are quite close, less than an hours drive. Lots of over 55 mobile/modular home developments, lots of old folks homes, lots of full care facilities, lots of Hospice places. There is a golf course, bowling Alley, and a few parks. Also a senior center, and a public swimming pool. Mojave Narrows Park in the Mojave river bed is a very large park, with camping and two small fishing lakes and lots of trees. To sum up, if I could afford it, I would live in many other places, but this place is okay, just not outstanding.
robert | Apple Valley, CA