Moving back to California - What is Apple Valley like?

[CMV]

I would like to move back to California to be near my family, but am afraid that things have gotten so bad there, that it could end up being a huge mistake. A friend suggested Apple Valley, Hisperia area, housing is affordable. The problem with "affordable" is that an area that is poor tends to be filled with drug problems galore, bad schools and violent crime. Since that is everywhere anyway, I am willing to take a chance but only to a degree. Whats life like in this area? I want to hear from the people who actually live there. My friend lives in San Dimas.

[Second Thoughts]

I love it. Aside from the riff raff, the Welfare mamas, and the increased gang member lowlife disease that this economy has exported up here from down below. I find it a good place (assuming that you are a responsible person).

However, keep in mind, that increased public housing and Section 8 will only further increase the trash that migrates up here from down below.

[CMV]

Second Thoughts wrote:

I love it. Aside from the riff raff, the Welfare mamas, and the increased gang member lowlife disease that this economy has exported up here from down below. I find it a good place (assuming that you are a responsible person).
However, keep in mind, that increased public housing and Section 8 will only further increase the trash that migrates up here from down below.

Yeah I hear ya....that is what I am afraid of. Yes I think that I am a respectable person, don't do drugs, only a social drinker which is few and far apart. Just trying to get back to my family and raise my kids in a nice area. Hard to do these days and I think that its going to get harder! Well I will keep good thoughts that things will change for the better and keep doing my research. Thanks for the reply!

[Second Thoughts]

CMV wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah I hear ya....that is what I am afraid of. Yes I think that I am a respectable person, don't do drugs, only a social drinker which is few and far apart. Just trying to get back to my family and raise my kids in a nice area. Hard to do these days and I think that its going to get harder! Well I will keep good thoughts that things will change for the better and keep doing my research. Thanks for the reply!

Don't get me wrong. I love it here. That's why I commute 150+ miles per day (75 each way). I've lived downhill, but love the space up here. Apple Valley will not sell any lots less than 1/2 acre.
I, too, have a family and the area that we live in only has 1 section 8 family. My neighbors are awesome. We just stay away from the decayed areas.

[CMV]

Second Thoughts wrote:

<quoted text>Don't get me wrong. I love it here. That's why I commute 150+ miles per day (75 each way). I've lived downhill, but love the space up here. Apple Valley will not sell any lots less than 1/2 acre.
I, too, have a family and the area that we live in only has 1 section 8 family. My neighbors are awesome. We just stay away from the decayed areas.

Ok so what areas should we stay away from? WOW 75 miles each way for work!!! That is quite a distance....how is the traffic these days? I used to do a commute similar to that....60 miles one way but it didn't last long for me....a year and a half later I was looking for another job.

What about the schools? Which ones with good reputations...anything on Granite High School? We will have one child in elementary school and one in high school by the time we make our move.

Thanks for the input and help!!

[Second Thoughts]

CMV wrote:

<quoted text>
Ok so what areas should we stay away from? WOW 75 miles each way for work!!! That is quite a distance....how is the traffic these days? I used to do a commute similar to that....60 miles one way but it didn't last long for me....a year and a half later I was looking for another job.
What about the schools? Which ones with good reputations...anything on Granite High School? We will have one child in elementary school and one in high school by the time we make our move.
Thanks for the input and help!!

Stay away from Felony Flats. Any realtor worth their commission knows where that is. Apple Valley is attempting to upgrade that area with new stores and shops, but even though you wash a pig it's still just a pig. It's north of HWY 18 behind and around the new Super Target.

Alot of the grade schools are great. In fact, most of them are. The kids are too young to do any real damage and the parents haven't learned to defend their kids and justify their antisocial behaviors, yet.

The middle schools are the schools that need the most help. Most of them are training grounds for the next generation of inmates.

The high schools are between middle schools and the grade schools. By the time the kids enter them, they've already chosen the life they'll lead and usually have their parent's backing and support for their choice. I know good kids that have graduated from both Granite and Apple Valley High.

[Second Thoughts]

Also, stay away from Navajo Road between Bear Valley Road and Highway 18.

[Lew]

Check into the cost of utilities. Water is higher than a camel back.
With the delta smelt well established all the rest of us two legged types will soon be gone. Lake Silverwood is (accroding to Barb Stanton) polluted. This polution is goint to Barstow, Yucca Valley and Lake Perris. NONE for this area.We have been in a drought situation since 1950 ---- think I'am wrong ----- ask MWA, Lahontan a/o and city official. City officials should know since they are spending $1000/day for that damn golf course water. just to keep the Indians happy.(dots not feathers)

[California Native Man]

I think anywhere in California has problems now with water quality. I am interested in moving to Apple Valley myself. Is this area dubed "Felony Flats" a trailer park so to speak? How is it out on the 4-5 acre ranches outside of town?

[Second Thoughts]

California Native Man wrote:

I think anywhere in California has problems now with water quality. I am interested in moving to Apple Valley myself. Is this area dubed "Felony Flats" a trailer park so to speak? How is it out on the 4-5 acre ranches outside of town?

Felony Flatsis the area north of HWY 18 behind the new Super Target. It's about a few square miles, or so. aV is planning to build a Stadium and a Skate Park here, so some property values will rise. It's already been approved.

[LEW]

Keep in mind ==========
On larger parcals that require a well the Mojave Warter Agency is planning/ going to try to TAX you on the ammount of FREE water you use.
In Apple Valley try to get a/o look thru USGS water report 93-4317 and see how the sewers have screwed-up the water supply

[CMV]

LEW wrote:

Keep in mind ==========
On larger parcals that require a well the Mojave Warter Agency is planning/ going to try to TAX you on the ammount of FREE water you use.
In Apple Valley try to get a/o look thru USGS water report 93-4317 and see how the sewers have screwed-up the water supply

Ok we sure will ck into that.....but on a whole, do you love to live there or how do you really feel about Apple Valley. No place is perfect I know, but if most of the residence living there consider it a really nice place to live....then I am willing to take the risk just to get back home.

[Second Thoughts]

CMV wrote:

<quoted text>
Ok we sure will ck into that.....but on a whole, do you love to live there or how do you really feel about Apple Valley. No place is perfect I know, but if most of the residence living there consider it a really nice place to live....then I am willing to take the risk just to get back home.

Every place has it's ups and downs. As I've told my children, regardless of where you're at, or what you do, you get out of it what you put into it. It's easy to be an armchair quarterback. But it's quite another thing to invest time and effort to make a change in one's little world on Earth.

Those who sit here and rattle off a laundry list of everything bad about this place will be just as inclined to rattle off a list of negatives of almost any place. And most haven't lifted a finger to make it any better.

[AAE MOM]

CMV wrote:

<quoted text>
Ok so what areas should we stay away from? WOW 75 miles each way for work!!! That is quite a distance....how is the traffic these days? I used to do a commute similar to that....60 miles one way but it didn't last long for me....a year and a half later I was looking for another job.
What about the schools? Which ones with good reputations...anything on Granite High School? We will have one child in elementary school and one in high school by the time we make our move.
Thanks for the input and help!!

You should enroll your kids at AAE (Academy for Academic Excellence)/Lewis Center...it's the best school out here in AV. It's a charter school k-12. You don't want your kids going to AV High or Granite. Trust me. There is a waiting list so you should enroll your kids now. As far as Elementary...Rio Vista is #1 as far as API score. So if you can't get in AAE yet, go there. Good Luck!

[LEW]

Back in the "good 'ol days" prior to incorporation. Felony Flats was a nice "air force enlisted mans" multi-family area. With the closing of George it became a dumping ground for all sorts of prolees.
Prior to that the parolees were place in that area between Yucca Loma School and Safeway.
Now we have Animal Controlpeople acting as Code Enforcement invading private property under the guise of seeking unlicensed bow-wows.
Yes, I bitch a lot because thats the thing to do--- just like in the Army.

[Second Thoughts]

LEW wrote:

Ba
Now we have Animal Controlpeople acting as Code Enforcement invading private property under the guise of seeking unlicensed bow-wows.

It sounds to me like you got caught.

[LEW]

No It's that damn airplane that flies over taking pictures.
Some pictures were posted in the Daily Press some years age. They showed the property South of BV rd. near Kiowa running a business.
Then the issue of "invading privacy" came up
Another one was in the area of Kiowa and YL rd. I understand the Town got hit with a large suit
Then there was the guy near the airport that was crippled by the local gestapo. That one cost the Town a pile.

[Second Thoughts]

Those who are innocent have nothing to hide.

[Second Thoughts]

LEW wrote:

No It's that damn airplane that flies over taking pictures.
Some pictures were posted in the Daily Press some years age. They showed the property South of BV rd. near Kiowa running a business.
Then the issue of "invading privacy" came up
Another one was in the area of Kiowa and YL rd. I understand the Town got hit with a large suit
Then there was the guy near the airport that was crippled by the local gestapo. That one cost the Town a pile.

I've been up here going on 5 years and guess what, I've ave had no run in with the law. Why? Because I don't run around looking for it. I don't challenge the police with my actions, or body language. I abide by the laws. I don't live in the edge then blame everyone else when I fall over it. I assimilate into my community and attempt to become an integrated asset to it, not a liability.

[LEW]

Just FIVE years????? Time will tell