Work in Fullerton, live in Corona, San Dimas or Hacienda Heights? (Orange: condo, crime rates)

[cbsand]

My husband works in Fullerton and we live in Corona, however we are both getting tired of the commute since we cant afford the fast track option so he has to brave the "corona crawl" coming home. We were thinking of moving and some areas surrounding Fullerton are either not in our price range or areas we've been told to keep away from....so after looking at all possible areas, factoring in costs, schools, crime rates and proximity to family (Whittier/Covina) we've thought about relocating to Hacienda Heights, San Dimas or Claremont. Corona is nice and some schools are ok, but just wondering if we have a better option. We're a family of 6, looking for preferably a house but will consider condo, have 1 child in middle school and 2 in elementary, budgeting $2000 for a 3bdr but preferably a 4bdr. Anyone have any experience with the above mentioned cities, I welcome your input, thanks

[genjy]

San Dimas is a very pretty suburban town with lots of trees, hills, and nature. Claremont is even prettier, but it's a bit too far from Fullerton, IMO.

With either city, live as north as you can afford because that's where the really charming neighborhoods are.

All of the nearby foothill cities are very safe and have good schools, except for Azusa.

You can also try Rowland Heights. I think its school district maybe a bit better than Hacienda Heights'. Rowland Heights should also be closer to Fullerton.

[BRinSM]

the 57 is a pretty awful freeway as well if i remember correctly. none of those options sound much better as far as commuting goes.

[cbsand]

Yeah my husband did mention the 57 being bad too, but I figured if we were in surrounding areas of Fullerton, he could always take the street...for the record he'd like to stay in Corona because its affordable and you can get a lot of space for the price, saying because of that, he doesn't mind the commute, but my priority is schooling and Corona's schools are starting to go downhill IMO...there are 34 kids in my son's kinder class> I'm considering Norco or Eastvale if we can't move closer, but again, farther commute

[genjy]

From Rowland or Hacienda Heights, you can drive on local streets to Fullerton... it's only about 8-12 miles of driving. Orange County is literally just on the other side of the hills.

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by cbsand

but my priority is schooling and Corona's schools are starting to go downhill IMO...there are 34 kids in my son's kinder class> I'm considering Norco or Eastvale if we can't move closer, but again, farther commute

as i understand it, this is the case for schools everywhere except in wealthier areas. it sounds like you and your husband need to have a serious discussion about schools vs home size. unfortunately for you, unless you up your budget fairly significantly it is unlikely you'll get the good schools and the big home you are looking for.

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by genjy

From Rowland or Hacienda Heights, you can drive on local streets to Fullerton... it's only about 8-12 miles of driving. Orange County is literally just on the other side of the hills.

This.

[Marv101]

Walnut is right next to Hacienda Heights and their schools are very good, but I don't know if you have to live in the city to send your kids to school there, so you might want to check that out.

[HB2HSV]

You should consider Diamond Bar as well. Good neighborhoods with good school district. Your husband can take local, Brea Canyon Road (without going on 57) or take Pathfinder to Fullerton Road that turns into Harbor Blvd just the other side of hill.

The other option is Chino Hills. You can take Caron Canyon that goes into Lambert and into Fullerton that way.

I used to live in OC and my folks still live in Walnut so I know the area. Just came back from visiting them during Christmas. The 57 was crowded just like the 60 Fwy. They reminded us another reason to leave California.

[mrsltd]

Originally Posted by cbsand

My husband works in Fullerton and we live in Corona, however we are both getting tired of the commute since we cant afford the fast track option so he has to brave the "corona crawl" coming home. We were thinking of moving and some areas surrounding Fullerton are either not in our price range or areas we've been told to keep away from....so after looking at all possible areas, factoring in costs, schools, crime rates and proximity to family (Whittier/Covina) we've thought about relocating to Hacienda Heights, San Dimas or Claremont. Corona is nice and some schools are ok, but just wondering if we have a better option. We're a family of 6, looking for preferably a house but will consider condo, have 1 child in middle school and 2 in elementary, budgeting $2000 for a 3bdr but preferably a 4bdr. Anyone have any experience with the above mentioned cities, I welcome your input, thanks

Don't forget La Habra, which is north of Fullerton and the first town on the OC side as you come down the hills. You can find some deals there. Brea would work too but is more expensive.