Southern California is arguably one the most diverse places to live in the entire United States. Within a short drive, one can experience the desert, beautiful beaches and scenic mountains where activities abound. Surfing, skiing, hiking, stargazing and much more are available to residents within only a couple of hours, which is what makes Southern California one of the most desirable places to call home.
While homes along the coast of California can be very pricey there are great suburbs throughout Los Angeles county that offer all the amenities of the California lifestyle at a fraction of the price. One such community is the Antelope Valley, which is located just an hour north of the Los Angeles basin. The Antelope Valley’s largest cities are Palmdale California and Lancaster California, which combined, are home to nearly 450,000 residents. The Antelope Valley or “The AV” as locals call it is far less expensive than it’s metropolitan neighbor to the south (Los Angeles) with less smog, less traffic congestion and a lower cost of living; while still maintaining a city atmosphere. Because the Antelope Valley is located in the Mojave desert it can get very hot and dry during the summer and temperature’s can be pretty unpredictable at times. Temperature’s may rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during summer and dip to just below freezing in the winter. Snow can fall at the Antelope Valley elevation as well, although it rarely does. The Antelope Valley is a true bedroom community, with many residents commuting into the Los Angeles area each day for work.
If the desert is not your cup of tea, there is a lovely California mountain community just North of the Antelope Valley area called Tehachapi. Located just about 3 minutes beyond Lancaster and 45 minutes north of Palmdale, in Kern county, the Tehachapi community is a rare gem where one can experience all four seasons, none of which are ever extreme. Summers are mild and winters generally bring snowfall just about 4 times per year on average. Tehachapi was named one of the best places to retire in California by several magazines and is truly has a “small-town” feel. Tehachapi real estate is at all time lows due to the present economic state, as such there are some fantastic bargains to be had on both tract and custom homes in Tehachapi. The area is known for its spread out homes and scenic views, with small communities within the main city, such as Stallion Springs, Bear Valley Springs and Golden Hills; each offering a unique appeal. From Tehachapi to Hart Flat, the are is dotted with oak trees along a skyline of scenic golden hills. If you choose not to live in Tehachapi, it’s certainly a great place to take a nice, relaxing, vacation in Southern California.
