a place in socal?

Question

I'm looking for a place in southern california to raise my daughter in.The schools really dont matter(she's homeschooled)& public transportation would only be a tiny factor,but the place I'm looking for,it's reeaally important that it have these qualities(not in any specific order)
1.NOT in a big, "bustling", or suburban type city
2.don't have to have your nose in the air or a reeaally fat wallet to live there.
3.can go from said place to any wooded mountains that get winter snow within 1 1/2 hours driving.
4.can get from said place to the beach(preferably venice or surrounding areas, but any ocean beach will do.) within an 1 1/2 hours driving.
5.can get to major movie studios/centre of enertainment industry type area within an hour driving.
6.can get to cultural opportunities such as public gardens, plays & museums within an hour driving.
I know this is a lot, but PLEASE, if ANYONE knows a place that fits this description PLEASE let me know.No rude or pointless answers either.

Thanks, it's really important so relevant input is greatly appreciated! :)

Answer 1

I would check out the areas of the "Inland Empire" which include San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Of the Greater LA area, the most affordable housing would be in this area. You would be very close to the mountains and driving to LA would only take about an hour or two depending on traffic. Also as far as public transportation Metrolink trains service several cities with routes that go into LA and Orange county. San Bernardino also has its own cultural opportunities, such as the California Theater and Orange Show. Redlands has the San Bernardino County Museum and at Glen Helen is the Hyundai Pavilion, which hosts many outdoor concerts.

Answer 2

I live in Upland, CA which is an hour or so away from LA studios and museums, an 1 1/2 from the local mountains such as Big Bear and Wrightwood. An hour from the beaches (depends on which ones exactly) and even an hour from the desert! Upland is in the Inland Empire.. so any city in this area would be good, there is Chino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana... Claremont. Ontario, I would say is the most affordable. Chino is good too.. some places still have farms if you really want to get away from the city.
If you really want to go less suburban.. it will start getting you about 2 hours to get to LA... but Colton, Temecula are nice places not to surburba (still has wine country and cow farms).. affordable but only two freeways get you there... and the 91 freeway is probably one of the worst to travel on at anytime of the day- always packed with traffic. the other freeway is the 15 which can get pretty bad too.

I would say Chino is your best bet!

Answer 3

I live in Oak Park for the above said reasons. My housing development backs up onto the trail head of the Santa Monica Mountain National Park and recreational area. It does not have the congestion of Simi Valley. The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts plaza has plays and concerts. We are twelve miles from the beach. Some people are snooty but for the most part we all have to work for a living. There is also Newberry Park. Now my sister lives in Mission Viejo and that is nice too but a little more congested

Answer 4

Redlands is a great town. It is in San Bernadino County. It is about an hour from Los Angeles. Close enough to beach and close to Big Bear and snow. Check it out.

Answer 5

North Orange County fits your description pretty well. Anywhere decent in SoCal is a bit pricey. I grew up in Placentia and had everything you are looking for.

Answer 6

Ontario California is pretty cheap. It's in the middle of the coast and the mountains.

Answer 7

the "not having a fat wallet stipulation" is the tough one for southern california, but check out these cities..

Sierra Madra
Arcadia
Monrovia
Thousand Oaks
Pasadena
South Pasadena (need fat wallet here)

Answer 8

your criteria describes nearly every suburb in so cal.

i'm partial to the valley.

just pick the place you like best