The Big Question
Where should I move to?
That is the question I get most often from those living in the Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, or Inland Empire wanting to move to a more affordable area. And, my answer is always, the High Desert!
The High Desert has a great selection of affordable housing options to choose from. For instance, it is commuter-friendly, with fresh air and clear blue skies. The dramatic landscapes and exquisite sunsets are a delight to see. Some say the dry desert air is a cure for ailments of all sorts, including tuberculosis, joint issues, and asthma. The cities of the High Desert are close to recreational areas like Mojave Narrows, Hesperia Lakes, Johnson Valley, Big Bear, Wrightwood, and more.
Now after that answer, there is usually a follow-up with this next question,
“What cities are in the High Desert?”
Benefits Of Living In High Desert
As you can see on this map the high desert is spread out to 10 major areas.
● Oak Hills, Hesperia, Pinon Hills, Phelan, Victorville, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Helendale, Barstow, and Lucerne Valley
Living in the High Desert area you will hear the terms “down the hill” or “up the hill” by locals. It refers to traveling down or up the I-15 Interestate
to get to and from the High Desert. The elevation is around 3,000 to 4,200 feet with higher elevations in Wrightwood and lower in Barstow. There is less pollution in the High Desert which is why you have clear blue skies.
Weather
Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 34°F to 95°F and is rarely below 26°F or above 101°F.
There is a chance of snow, but it usually melts within hours. Kids do have time to make a snowman and play in the snow before it is all gone.
If you live in one of the communities closer to the mountains it may stay for a few days. One big surprise about living in the High Desert is the
wind. Year-round you could have from 5 miles an hour to 15 on average.
Major Freeway Connectors
The Cajon Pass is the major corridor through the High Desert. This is the 15 freeway and the cities are located either East or West along Interstate 15, the 395, or the 138 The communities that are close to these major connectors makes them desirable for commuters that travel down the hill to work. Or that travel north towards Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Edward’s Air Force Base, or Big Bear mountain.
Types of Communities
Within each of these cities, you will find numerous kinds of communities that offer specific lifestyle amenities to choose like, gated
communities, 55 plus communities, communities with large lots with open spaces, or communities with sidewalks and parks. Victorville and
Barstow are two cities that offer community colleges. Business and shopping has grown tremendously in the last 7 years in all areas. That along with road
improvements and highway expansions to accommodate the booming growth in the High Desert, make it a favorable living place. You can find the perfect home in Oak Hills, Hesperia, Phelan, Pinon Hills, Apple Valley, Barstow, Lucerne Valley with two or more acres. One of the huge benefits of owning more property is the option of adding a mother-in-law home or an apartment to increase the value of the home.
Ten Most Popular Areas
Oak Hills, Hesperia, Pinon Hills, Phelan, Victorville, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Helendale, Barstow, and Lucerne Valley. Below we will cover five of the ten cities on what makes each unique and desirable to the people living there and next time we will finish up the rest.
Oak Hills
Oak Hills is considered the Gateway to the High Desert. It Is located along the Interstate 15 freeway both east and west and State Highway 395. Oak Hills has the advantage of being located at the summit of the Cajon Pass, making it the closest of the Victor Valley communities to the more populated cities (and job centers) in San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. The Community of Oak Hills is an unincorporated community. Housing development opportunities in the City are varied and range
from estate-sized lots to equestrian lots to standard single-family lots. The Oak Hills community presently consists of estate-sized lots of a minimum of 21⁄2 acres down to single-family lots of a quarter acre. Oak Hills High School with very high education rankings was opened in August of 2009 and remains the only education facility within the planned area. Other school services, Park and Recreation are provided by Hesperia. See this video for more information on Oak Hills 
Hesperia
Hesperia is the next city and here the Aqueduct traverses the areas.
Hesperia has become known, not only for affordable housing but for diversity in housing. There are a variety of housing opportunities available including large-lot residential zoning (enjoy a rural lifestyle with the benefits of City services), to single-family homes on a one-quarter acre or less. Hesperia is located on the East side of Interstate 15 and is considered like Oak Hills the gateway to the High Desert. Hesperia is close to the freeway, there is space between neighbors, new shopping and dining hubs, and new custom-built villas overlooking Hesperia Lakes as well as modern, amenity-rich subdivisions Hesperia’s growing population has prompted an increase in business growth throughout the City, including the High Desert Gateway Retail Center shops at Topaz and Topaz Marketplace. Some of the Things to do: include Hesperia Zoo, Hesperia Lakes- fishing and camping, and Hesperia golf and country club.
Click to visit the city of Hesperia website
Our next city is Pinon Hills
Pinon Hills
Pinon Hills California includes 2,044 nearby mines. Living in Pinon Hills offers residents a suburban rural mix feel, and most residents own their homes. Many retirees live in Pinon Hills where the Median Home Value is $306,300 Some of the things to do in Piñon Hills: is visiting the Forever Wild Exotic animal sanctuary, and the Zip-Lines at Pacific Crest. Pinon Hills is next door to Oak Hills on the West side of Interstate 15 and is in the tri-community that consists of Pinon Hills, Phelan, and Wrightwood. One of the largest Military Simulations Airsoft events in the United States, Operation Lion Claws, is held in the mountains of Pinon Hills, on the Jubilee Boy Scout Ranch.
Phelan
Now the city of Phelan is below Pinon Hills and also on the West side of Interstate 15 and east side of the 138. This is a rural area with two-acre lots minimum, many dirt roads, and a spacious spread out environment. From Phelan, you will have easy access to Wrightwood and the Mojave Desert Recreation areas and the 138 Hwy for commuting to the I-15 Freeway or Wrightwood mountain. Phelan’s history dates back to the days of the Mormon Trail when settlers passed the area on their way to San Bernardino and points beyond. It was named after Senator James D. Phelan. For more information on Phelan watch this video here.
Victorville
Victorville is on the east and west side of interstate 15 starting at Bear Valley Road. Victorville is an ethnically-diverse city. Click to visit the city of Victorville’s website.
Some Things to do include: activities at Mojave Narrows Regional Park, The park offers year-round activities like camping, hiking, and fishing, there is also the Green Tree Golf club and it is close to Johnson valley and Barstow for desert play locations.
Restaurant Row runs through the center of Victorville just blocks off Interstate 15. It features nearly two dozen individual establishments catering to nearly all tastes and budgets. The typical home values in Victorville are as low as $290,000 to above 500K for luxury homes in the highly sought after area in the Spring Valley Lake community. 
Let’s stop here so you can digest all that information.
I finish up the next four towns in the high desert next week.