Ontario, CA
The Los Angeles metropolitan area is sprawling, and its home to more than 17 million people. If you're considering a move to the eastern end of the metro area, Ontario should definitely be on your list of communities to investigate. This is a city with fun and adventure written into its virtual constitution! Whether you love shopping at the arcades, museum-hopping, hitting the golf courses, or hiking in the mountains, Ontario is a great place to call home.
The massive network of freeways that crisscross the eastern section of the LA metro area means convenient travel no matter which portion of Ontario you call home. The city is also home to one of the region's five major international airports. Ontario International handles more than 5.5 million passengers each year, and the more than 100 daily departures send passengers across the entire world.
This is not your typical bedroom community. The city boasts more than 110 million square feet of industrial space and more than 10 million square feet of office space. More than 120,000 workers perform their daily duties within the city limits.
Of course, you'll need dependable transportation to get from your home to the rest of the city, and for that matter, to get to the rest of the SoCal metropolis. However, you need not travel all the way to the ocean to get some sun and enjoy water sports. The city maintains several large parks with lakes and ponds, and thousands flock to these parks every day to catch some rays.
If you love outdoor adventure, the San Gabriel Mountains are close by. A multitude of hiking trails take you to high altitude, and the vistas are stunning. The city also has a number of biking trails, and it's not difficult to locate major outdoor equipment outfitters. The city also has a good number of spas, salons, extreme sports venues, and public golf courses.
The Ontario Mills Fashion District is the largest mall-style center in town. In addition to the usual chain store outlets, the main mall also contains movie theaters, on-stage performance theaters, fine dining establishments, and high-end retail including fashion outlets featuring the newest styles from Europe.
The weather here is warm throughout most of the year, and rainfall is sparse except in winter. The Santa Ana winds provide a cooling effect, and that's good because this part of the LA metro area is pretty far inland, so the marine influence is rarely felt. However, humidity is generally very low, so the atmosphere is similar to the desert.
If you're planning a move to the region, keep in mind that the housing market is pretty tight. Rental prices are above the national average, and home prices vary considerably from one neighborhood to the next. Once you've found your dream residence, however, you won't have any trouble settling into this family-friendly yet upbeat community. Ontario is a big town with a residential heart of gold.