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Cali Living by CBHine

Cali Living by CBHine ---- Moving decisions

Posted Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at 1:53 PM

One of the most difficult decisions to make when moving to another part of the country is: What community will best fit the needs of my family? Many different aspects make up these decisions, some of which are schools, location, make up of the community, real-estate values, population, safety and the list can go on and on. In Southern California, with a population of around 17 million people, there are many communities to choose from. In our situation, schools, availability to club swimming and real estate prices were at the top of the list.

After hours and hours of looking and investigating we felt Claremont met most of our criteria. Claremont is located about 35 miles east of LA. With a population of around 35,000, it honestly feels like a little oasis protected from the world around it. Recently Claremont was selected by Money Magazine as the 5th "Best Places to Live" in the U.S. The article highlights the top 100 smaller cities with populations between 7500 and 50,000 across the nation with criteria ranging from education and economic opportunities to levels of diversity and crime rates. Other factors mentioned were access to health care, arts and leisure activities, weather and economic opportunities. Claremont was the highest ranked California City on the list, followed by La Palma in the 16th sport.

So, how did it happen that we ended up in a community like Claremont? Some would say it was just "lucky". But I can tell you it was prayer. Prayers of many family members, good friends and loved ones. Just ask Joan (my Mom), she will tell you it was a miracle. And she would be right!

More from this blogger · Cindy Hine

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Claremont has changed a lot since I was growing up in the OC. Does the college still have the community plays. We would go each season to see some GREAT shows. Great antiques there! We would drive to Claremont on Sunday AM for a wonderful breakfast at Griswalds (sp) wonder if it is still there?

-- Posted by myheart on Wed, Sep 12, 2007, at 7:27 PM
yes, they still have plays at the college which are wonderful and some great concerts as well. jackson brown was there sometime ago, as well as ben harper. the griswalds is undergoing a renovation and i think the old diner you are referring to is gone. it's a beautiful old building and will even more so soon. sunday am's there is an incredible farmers market downtown claremont, the downtown area is always packed with people, day and night. they are in the process of building a new downtown area just west of the orginal one. very high scale resturants and shopping, art gallaries etc. it's still a cool place. one of my favorite sat nights is the cruise night when all the old cars come into town and park up and down the street. one would think it was back in the 1940's..... so nice.

-- Posted by cbhine on Wed, Sep 12, 2007, at 7:42 PM
I guess most folks in MO don't much care for SOCA??? Are you doing OK with the fires in Big Bear? I know the smoke gets crazy.

-- Posted by myheart on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, at 6:36 PM
The fires are not bothering us right now. The weather has cooled off and the wind is blowing taking much of the smog etc out of our area. Plus, the marine layers are coming in again in the am, which does help keep the air quality better. Southern Cal has its perks as any other part of the country, we enjoy it for the diversity, plus within one hour a person can snow ski, got to the beach, hike, sight see and most anything you have in mind. The weather is really wonderful too (most of the time).....it also has its not so perky side.... but we are just enjoying where we are, right now. God Bless!

-- Posted by cbhine on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, at 8:26 PM
I really miss the diversity of SOCA. I remember driving to Death Valley one afternoon, then being at the beach the next. I REALLY miss the beach. Guess it's time for another trip. I was just there in May and had a great visit with my brother and sister. (one in Redlands the other in Orange Park Acres)

-- Posted by myheart on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, at 9:57 PM

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