So much of California housing is out of range for middle-class and working-class families looking to buy (or rent, for that matter). Fontana, which is part of the Inland Empire region, has much lower prices than the regions north, south, and closer to the coast. Plenty of people have fled the coasts to the IE (Inland Empire), and Fontana in particular, to make homeownership a reality. 

Your point of view about Fontana and crime and other issues will depend on where you've come from. If you move here from LA or San Francisco, then you will laugh at the idea that Fontana has a big issue with Crime and/or Homelessness. If, on the other hand, you move from some quiet little suburban burg, then sure, there are neighborhoods and areas of Fontana with homeless and typical urban crime. Needless to say, these are areas to be avoided. Generally, the north and west parts of the city are the safest, and the center/downtown areas are the least safe. 



Housing Prices are Nice-ish

LookyLOO Review of Fontana

Fontana is a hardworking town with strong ties to the automobile, motorcycle, racing, and mobility cultures. NASCAR’s [**Auto Club Speedway**](https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/auto-club-speedway,-fontana.html) is the premier attraction in Fontana, and it brings tens of thousands of fans and plenty of money into the city each year. While most of us won’t get to drive in NASCAR, the [**Allen Berg Racing School**](https://www.allenbergracingschools.com/) gives novices a shot at open-air car classes on the Speedway.

Fontana is also the birthplace of the Hells Angel’s Motorcycle Club, so you can imagine the cycling culture here. Additionally, the [**Fontana Car Show**](https://www.fontanaca.gov/1106/Fontana-Car-Shows) is a major ongoing event, taking place one Friday each month throughout spring and summer. 

Finally, it is important to remember that Fontana is at the intersection of three freeways that lead to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. A stunning amount of traffic moves in and out of the city, and that culture of mobility permeates the city (and most of California). Overall, much of the lifestyle of Fontana involves taking advantage of the central location between these big cities and staying on the move among them. 

If none of that floats your boat, there is plenty of Art happening here via the Art Depot, a Fontana institution that possesses a gallery, classes for all skills and ages, open studios, and constant events that bring in both the artists and the voyeurs. The city is also connected via the Pacific Electric Trail to cities to the west and east by a smooth bike trail that is used recreationally and for commuting between the cities. It is also located quite near three major ski resorts: Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Mountain High, so in winter or summer, you can get your fill of the mountains. 

If you want to see what happens in Fontana, check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.fontana.org/155/Events).



Lifestyle 

The fact that Fontana is at the intersection of three major freeways connecting Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Central Valley means it is a heavily trafficked regional hub of the trucking industry, and this drives a chunk of the regional economy. It’s home to product distribution centers for several large national companies, including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Sears, Target, Avery Dennison, and Home Shopping Network. As with the lifestyle of Fontana, much of the work here centers on mobility and the fact it is a crossroads city. 


Worklife

Fontana generally draws people who are looking to downsize their budgets but remain in California. This includes young families who want to buy their first home, empty nesters looking to reduce the size of their home and have a convenient launching pad for frequent travel, and retirees looking to save some bucks but aren’t ready to go all the way to Arizona.


Downsize Your Budget

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**FULCAN_FALCON**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I currently live in North Fontana, we found a place in a heritage village. Nice area, with classic suburban homes. With some walking trails throughout. We're located just east of the 15 freeway and baseline. housing here will continue to grow because of people doing exactly what you're doing. We are cheaper than OC, but housing has significantly increased since we moved here in 2019. Winds are no joke though. We underestimated how windy it can be. But usually only in the fall.

For more reviews of what living in Fontana is like from locals, check out: [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/fontana/reviews).




Reviews of Fontana from Locals

Fontana is part of San Bernardino county on the western side of the Inland Empire region. This is a massive stretch of land that is larger than ten states and stretches from just east of Los Angeles to the borders of Nevada and Arizona. It was originally much like its Central Valley neighbor to the north, dedicated to agriculture and filled with produce and dairy farms. Over the years however, agriculture declined in the face of rising populations and development, primarily driven by affordable housing opportunities east of the coast.


The Area

Fontana tends to pull in families more than young professionals due to the quieter social scene but lower housing prices and remote work may be pulling in more over time. Additionally there is development happening in Downtown and if housing is a component the youngsters will choose that area. 
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Downtown

Young families target West and North neighborhoods Fontana due to the strong school districts and great neighborhoods. The Etiwanda School district in the north is one of the best in the state and that has great appeal although housing prices move up with the quality of the school district of course. The north has additional appeal due to proximity to Rancho Cucamonga, and the San Bernardino mountains - Big Bear and Arrowhead. Start north, see if you can afford and move west as you continue your search. Neighborhoods like Rancho Fontana which are on the southern side of the northern neighborhoods are good places to look as the homes are a bit smaller but still have great schools. 
- Etiwanda
- Rancho Fontana
- Citrus Heights


Young Families

Etiwanda

As noted in Young Families, North Fontana is a big pull due to the school district, beautiful homes and being at the base of the mountains. Sierra Lakes is a golf club community in the north that of course has the added benefit of big new construction homes lining the fairways and all the amenities a club provides. Summit Heights, 
- Sierra Lakes
- Etiwanda
- California Landings


Established Families

Sierra Lakes

Fontana has made a big push over the last 20+ years in revitalizing the downtown area for seniors. This includes the building of numerous affordable senior housing developments that benefit from proximity to medical facilities, a community center, the Center Stage Theater, restaurants and public transport from the Metrolink rail station and Omnitrans bus system. Fontana is unique in the ways it has developed its central downtown with seniors in mind. 
- Downtown


Retirees

Fontana

**FULCAN_FALCON**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I currently live in North Fontana, we found a place in a heritage village. Really nice area, classic suburban homes. With some walking trails throughout. We're located just east of the 15 freeway and baseline. housing here will continue to grow because of people doing exactly what you're doing. We are cheaper than OC, but housing has significantly increased since we moved here in 2019. Winds are no joke though. We underestimated how windy it can be. But usually only in the fall.

**dj6790423**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

We live between Base Line/210 fwy & San Sevaine/Hemlock. I really like the area. Heritage is nice with the paseos, park/pool though. My wife lived in Heritage when her two boys were school-age. I believe Etiwanda HS is decent as well. People have made comments about the winds, and my opinion is quite different. From about November-April (opposed to just one month), there can be days when the winds reach 60+ mph. You will be fetching your trash cans from down the street! The one thing I really dislike about the area.

**aizerpendu1**
2y ago
🦉🦉

I'd pick Coyote Canyon. Nice Mountain views, and City of Fontana is adding Several New Master Plan Communities, one of which is the Arboretum which will have a HUGE park on the north end, as well as the a new Tuscan Village called The Ventana, which will have Paseos to walk through. Eastvale seems very stale, and Suburbia for Miles. At least Fontana would have mountain views, hiking trails ( I think), and ...the new amenities.

**dj6790423**
1y ago
🦉🦉

We live between Base Line/210 fwy & San Sevaine/Hemlock. I really like the area. Heritage is nice with the paseos, park/pool though. My wife lived in Heritage when her two boys were school-age. I believe Etiwanda HS is decent as well. People have made comments about the winds, and my opinion is quite different. From about November-April (opposed to just one month), there can be days when the winds reach 60+ mph. You will be fetching your trash cans from down the street! The one thing I really dislike about the area.

Fontana, California

Where Angels Get Their Wings

Looklyloo Score: 83

Reviews

What's it like to live in Fontana?