Moving to San Bernardino Area - Suggestions?

My partner and I are climbers moving out from the northeast for a job at CSUSB. We're looking for rentals within easy commuting distance to the campus. We'd like to be in the mountains and are leaning towards Crestline. Any beta on this area and/or other places to consider living as climbers/outdoorsy folks would be super helpful! Or if you know of a place opening up over the summer, we'd appreciate the help. Looking forward to exploring the local crags and being close to J Tree and Tahquitz! Thanks!
-Kasey&Dan

Congrats on the new job. You'll love the climbing in CA. The San Gabriel mountain communities are beautiful but it's probably worth keeping in mind that those roads often end up closed for considerable periods due to either fire, snow, or landslides. People up in Idyllwild are dealing right now with 2 of the 3 roads into their town being closed. If your jobs require showing up in-person most of the time you might want to really investigate what others have experienced before moving up the mountain.

Years ago, I lived in Crestline....wouldn't suggest it to anyone. Most of the community is low income, the elevation is right at the smog level so that equates to some of the worst air quality in SoCal. Also, the lower elevation means considerably less snow over the towns higher up. I'd go with Running Springs [resided there too] if you want to live in the mountains, but as Mr. Rices says, road closures happen....some seasons more than others but it's typically not that big of a deal.

*Tourists aka "Flatlanders" love coming up the hill, so expect to be irritated on the weekends*

Plenty of great climbing up there. Really, there's a ton of granite. JT and Tahquitz are of course excellent and relatively close.

If you can find something in Forest Falls, it's very quiet there, literally at the base of the mountains, and a very easy commute to San Bernardino. Frustration Creek climbing area is also there, which perhaps holds the distinction as the worst place I've ever climbed.

I would suggest looking into Loma Linda or Redlands for best of both worlds. Yes you will be in Suburbia, but both cities are pretty quiet, safe and close commute to CSUSB. It also puts you closer to Jtree and Tahquitz. Others have already mentioned the road closures. They suck and can increase a commute by 1 hour one way very easily. Southern California is a weird place, make sure you visit the area before you pick a place. A "nice" neighborhood can easily be a block or two from a "ghetto" one, especially in the san Bernardino/riverside county area.

Echoing what others have said:  1. the mountain communities look appealing on paper but the road closures can be problematic.  2. You have to be VERY careful picking your neighborhood.  Crime statistics can vary hugely over a mile or two.

Thanks for all the beta. We’ll be out in a couple weeks to look around. Thanks for the ideas of other neighborhoods and things to consider with Crestline. Sounds like Crestline isn’t as ideal as we’d thought and mountain options within a short commute are limited. 

move again...as fast as  possible

It was only briefly mentioned but wildfires are becoming more frequent every year. I wouldn’t live in the mountains based off that alone.

Moving here from the southeast last year, I agree with what everyone has said about the “rough areas”. Make sure you visit where you’re going to move into. Redlands, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, Yucaipa and Riverside are good places. 

Ashton Micaela wrote: It was only briefly mentioned but wildfires are becoming more frequent every year. I wouldn’t live in the mountains based off that alone.

Moving here from the southeast last year, I agree with what everyone has said about the “rough areas”. Make sure you visit where you’re going to move into. Redlands, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, Yucaipa and Riverside are good places. 

Note: we have always had fires. In the old days they just burned the hills. Now we let folks build homes in the fire zones- so we burn homes- that makes the news! 

I've lived in Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead my entire life as well as commuted to CSUSB the past four years for school and have to say road closures and wildfires are a small concern when compared to the beauty and isolation of the mountain. The crags, albeit underwhelming in size, make up for it in character and lack of crowds with a plethora of hidden treasures. Feel free to send me a message if you ever need a partner!

Look up Rim of the World Climbing Club - http://rowcc.com/

They're great people, climb hard, do some evening climbs as well as weekends and larger trips, very fun to go hang out with, and maybe one day someone from there will put out a replacement for the Hidden Treasures: East book. Hopefully. Please. 

I wouldn't want to live up on the mountain.   Fire danger, twisty narrow roads and just too many tweakers in the local population.  Loma Linda, Redlands, Yucaipa or Riverside would be my choices.  If you are ok with a longer drive and want to be closer to LA then I would check out Rancho Cucamonga or Upland.  The greater SB area and parts of Riverside county can be really, really scary so make sure you check out wherever you choose carefully, especially if you are renting an apartment.  Generally speaking the area north of 210 in SB is a lot nicer than the rest of the city.

+1 on ROWCC

Solid and strong.

I've been here for 37 years, we call it the SB,s, over 2,000 routes on Pinnacles, Spires, Domes, from Crestline to Big Bear. The views are great!  The rock is similar to Josh but better. The climbs are short but you are climbing as soon as you leave the ground till you top out! Don't be scared, try it out!

I live in Big Bear Lake (the town). I chose that area because it has a couple of super close ski resorts and of course as mentioned earlier lots of lovely small granite crags in the forest, also probably easier access to San Gorgonio Mountain trails/backcountry skiing. But it's probably too far away to commute daily into the valley. Although from a rental point of view you might have more options. More restaurants there than Crestline/Running Springs.

Hey Kasey message me if you want more info about ROWCC.  check out the FB and IG pages they are more up to date with climbing than the website.

 https://www.facebook.com/rowcc https://www.instagram.com/rimoftheworldclimbingclub/

I've lived in Big Bear for 5 years.  LOL don't let Matthew Lee scare you its great up here.  Climbing, hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, back country, clean fresh air etc what more could you want!  Unless you like hot disgusting weather and smog don't live down the hill.  Only thing is a further commute down the hill and flatlanders in the winter who cant drive.