Cities like Claremont (Pomona, Pasadena, Upland: apartments, renting, neighborhoods)

[dc_gooner]

I just interviewed for a position at the Claremont Colleges, and am preparing for the possibility of moving out this way with my wife and 2 young children. I love the small town feel of Claremont - especially the walkability of the Village area. (Might be a bit expensive though. We'd be renting upon arrival.)

If there are other neighboring cities that have this similar feel, I'd love to hear what they are. I hear maybe Glendora and La Verne fit that bill. Any other recommendations? To make things easier, I don't want to have more than a 30 minute commute, each way.

Thanks for your help!

[CA4Now]

Don't rule out Claremont; the areas furthest from the Claremont Colleges are less expensive. It's a wonderful city and has excellent public schools (which many surrounding areas don't have).

This is an informative thread on Claremont and its nearby communities: https://www.city-data.com/forum/los-a...claremont.html

[SalParadise]

Pasadena and Sierra Madre are both big in the charming town department.

Maybe a little to far for you but the gold line (light rail) will link claremont to pasadena in the next couple of years.

[ragnarkar]

I lived in Claremont when I went to school there..

You probably won't find any similar areas nearby.. maybe the Upland downtown is the closest thing.

Brea might be another option although it could be 20-30 minutes away in traffic.

Avoid Pomona and Montclair.. most areas aren't that good in those cities and even their nice neighborhoods are suburban and nothing like the Claremont village.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by dc_gooner

I just interviewed for a position at the Claremont Colleges, and am preparing for the possibility of moving out this way with my wife and 2 young children. I love the small town feel of Claremont - especially the walkability of the Village area. (Might be a bit expensive though. We'd be renting upon arrival.)

If there are other neighboring cities that have this similar feel, I'd love to hear what they are. I hear maybe Glendora and La Verne fit that bill. Any other recommendations? To make things easier, I don't want to have more than a 30 minute commute, each way.

Thanks for your help!

Glendora, San Dimas, and La Verne are excellent cities for families--they are small-town cities like Claremont, but their downtowns are nothing compared to Claremont's.

Their downtowns are walkable for sure, but they are much smaller in size and more less active.

Monrovia has an excellent downtown. Monrovia's schools aren't the best in the region, but it's right next to the city (Arcadia) that does have the best schools in the region.

Always live north of the 210 in the foothill region. Not that south of the 210 is bad--north is just better.

[dc_gooner]

Thx everyone. It seems like Claremont is the place. Everything else seems like the (sub)urban sprawl that I know we won't like. I'll check out Glendora and drive through La Verne again. Any other thoughts are welcome!

[Jeremy Rivera]

Well, if you're looking for apartments since you're going to be renting, then consider the El Sereno Apartments which are technically in Pomona, on Towne ave. but the rents cheaper than the complex right next door which IS in Claremont. Also might check out La Verne which is just on the other west side of Pomona.