217,671
Population
Sunny Days: 280
41100 Affordability
79100 Schools
60100 Diversity
44100 Safety
If they can’t do it in California, it can’t be done anywhere. – Taylor Caldwell
San Bernardino, California
San Berdoo
Best Part About San Bernardino?
Great Bones
Realtors will tell you that a house has “great bones” when it has some rough edges but underneath, and in some obvious ways, it could blossom to become a beautiful home. People say the same thing about San Bernardino. It is built on the edge of several mountains and the San Bernardino National Forest so the view is spectacular. It has beautiful neighborhoods on the north side of the city nearest these mountains and forest. It also has plenty of inventory of unique mid-century homes ripe for conversion at, for California, inexpensive prices. Again, while the city has some rough elements, it feels like a place with great bones.
Here's a review from a local who inspired our "great bones" note:
I live on a gorgeous Hill, little mountain, have an amazing adobe home built in 1946, all restored and modernized, with amazing views from every window. It’s a great neighborhood of older unique custom homes, great neighbors that look out for one another, and the weather is pretty awesome all year, except for maybe August through September when it’s so hot. San Bernardino is actually a city that has great bones, and under the right leadership, could be just like Redlands or Highland. It is centrally located smack dab next to major freeways, has really beautiful views of the mountains, has a huge natural ground water supply, and some really nice neighborhoods in the North End.
For more reviews of what living in San Bernardino is like from locals check out: The Buzz
Worst Part About San Bernardino?
“Great Bones”
As was noted when a realtor tells you a house has “great bones” there is also a downside. If the house is in perfect condition no one has to note that it has these great bones, you can see them. When we say San Bernardino has great bones the same qualifier is in place because depending on what part of the city you’re in you might not see them. San Bernardino is rated one of the most dangerous cities in California and the cause and impact of this crime is evident in much of the city. People from LA or SF might not be stunned by the “city” qualities of poverty and homelessness but if you’re coming from a small town the visual impact and the feeling of being unsafe can be profound.
Here's a local with a point of view about the cons of San Bernardino:
There is a lot of homelessness and the city doesn't take very good care of the city. It is really a shame too because San Bernardino is located in a beautiful part of California and has a lot of really great people living here. It is just so undeserved and neglected.
Lifestyle of San Bernardino
Your lifestyle in San Bernardino is going to depend in part on where in the city you live. The northern neighborhoods are in the foothills of the mountains and the national forest and so your lifestyle can be very centered on the outdoors. You have three ski mountains: Lake Arrowhead, Snow Valley and Big Bear all within an hour’s drive. You’re also similarly close to other outdoor resorts whether you ski or want to simply hike, ride trails, or anything else the great outdoors might beckon you to do. The northern neighborhoods are also linked across the northern neighborhoods of the cities of Highland and Redlands and Fontana. This stretch has its own shopping and bars and restaurants isolated from the downtown areas that some might want to avoid.
If on the other hand you are looking for lower cost and living closer to downtown then you trade some grit for access to three performing arts venues and a beautiful theater. It is the greatest concentration of access to arts in the Inland Empire. Downtown San Bernardino is going through a major economic redevelopment and so if you have patience and likely some experience living in cities then you can construct and urban lifestyle with some downtown energy.
If you want to see what's happening in San Berdoo check out the calendar of events: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ca--san-bernardino/festivals/
Workstyle of San Bernardino
Work in San Bernardino is a mix of industries including: Grocers like Stater Bros. Markets, Tech like Aegis Communications, Health and Education. While some brave folks do make the commute into Los Angeles most residents work somewhere in the Inland Empire. The “middle class” San Bernardino housing prices (by California standards) means more residents are working more blue collar jobs but the rising wfh culture could drive more white collar workers to the northern neighborhoods where great homes, tree-lined streets and easy access to the mountains prove irresistible compared to the traffic of LA.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
Escape From LA
San Bernardino, like the rest of the Inland Empire, has historically drawn people who are looking to downsize their budgets from LA 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. Given the high and rising prices of San Bernardino by national standards this is getting hard to justify but still: if you want a “fancy” and active lifestyle from neighborhoods like those in the north but much more reasonable pricing than LA this is your spot.
Living in San Bernardino
Neighborhoods in San Bernardino
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The Area
San Bernardino 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 Inland Empire is located an hour+ east of Los Angeles, approximately an hour and a half north of San Diego, and around 3 ½ hours to Las Vegas. Many who choose to live here do so to take advantage of the short distances to the beaches, mountains, dessert, and gambling!
Kendall Hills
Students/Young Professionals
The neighborhoods around Cal State are your best bet if you’re in school or a young professional. Lots of rental options for apartments. Plenty of bars and restaurants for going out and you’re close to the mountains for outdoor adventures.
- Kendall Hills
- Hudson
Northpark
Young Families
Young families gravitate to the great homes and schools on the northern side of the city or if the pricing is a bit high for them they’ll stay along the east side near the University. There is a concentration of young Hispanic and Black families on the west side of the city as well and housing gets cheaper south and west in the city. Depending on your price point the best Elementary schools are north and east and that may be where to start to see what is affordable.
- Northpark
- Arrowhead Farms
- Cajon
- Cimmeron
- Muscoy
Verdemont
Established Families
The north side dominates target neighborhoods for families looking for bigger homes & yards, more parks, proximity to golf and recreation, and the best schools in the city. As was mentioned, you’re also next to Wildwood Park, at the foothills of the mountains and have beautiful views from everywhere. These are the neighborhoods where you start.
- Verdemont
- Belvedere
- Nena