Just east of the ever-encompassing Los Angeles metropolitan area is the Inland Empire. Not quite on the coast, cities in this area such as San Bernardino offers California residents and immigrants a more affordable option than its metroplex neighbor. In fact, according to a recent report, San Bernardino is among California’s housing hotspots for both new homebuyers and tenants.
If you’re among the many who are moving into town, here are four tips for moving to San Bernardino:
1. Consider your housing options in San Bernardino
To be more specific, BestPlaces, shows that while San Bernardino is still slightly more expensive than the national average, it is significantly cheaper than the average of California. For instance, the median home in San bernardino is barely under $300,000, while across the state it is more than $550,000! The savings also can be seen in apartments, as a studio apartment in San Bernardino is nearly $400 cheaper than the state.
You should also know your San Bernardino neighborhoods, from the family-friendly Loma Linda to the mountainous outdoors in Arrowhead Springs.
2. Be mindful of crime in San Bernardino
While we like to keep things positive, it’s worth noting that there crime in the city, significant enough to be among Neighborhood Scout’s top 100 dangerous cities, with a violent crime rate of 15.3 per 1000 residents, and a 1-in-65 chance of being a victim.
While this is important to know, many residents say its similar to most big cities and the key is knowing which areas to avoid. You can also take some easy steps such as avoiding leaving expensive items in your car and just overall having a mindfulness of what’s going on around you.
3. Get a car or hitch a ride—either way, be prepared for a commute
Long commutes are a way of life in California, thankfully, the majority of San Bernardino and other Inland Empire cities see a relatively quick commute of less than an hour—though there is a significant group of people who have a commute of more than two hours. This makes owning a car a bit more practical and feasible.
And for those who don’t own a car, checkout the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, which offers everything from busses, rails, and even the ride-sharing service Lift.
4. Get out and enjoy life in San Bernardino
On a happier note, there are plenty of things to get out and enjoy that the locals and tourists both love. You can test your luck at the San Manuel Casigno, hit the water at Silverwood Lake, or checkoff a must-see at the First Original McDonald’s Museum.
And if you’re looking for places to eat, you gotta try out the favorites such as the chicken wings at Fire Wings, cantonese options at Yang Noodle House, or some good barbeque at Carrie’s BBQ.
One final, if not official tip, would be to utilize San Bernardino self storage. While housing is cheaper, land and space can come at a premium. For more information on how San Bernardino self storage can help, click here.
