Why live in Rancho Cucamonga? Well, let’s see . . .

• Award-winning architecture nestled up against the San Gabriel Mountains
• Breathtaking views just outside many residents’ windows
• Low unemployment
• Great weather
• Abundant recreation opportunities
• Good schools
• Low crime rate

And these are just some of the things that have led to Rancho Cucamonga’s ranking as one of the happiest towns in the entire country. So let’s see what else there is and in more depth.

Overview of Rancho Cucamonga, California

“Considered the ‘crown gem of the Inland Empire,’ Rancho Cucamonga is a beautiful, growing suburb of San Bernardino. It’s about 37 miles east of Downtown LA and just south of the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains. With a rich heritage in winemaking, and home to famous spots like Joseph Filippi Winery and the hugely popular outdoor mall of Victoria Gardens, this affluent city is considered one of the happiest cities in the US, particularly for single, educated, and young professionals.”

Referred to by locals as just “Rancho,” Rancho Cucamonga has a population of around 177,000, which makes it the nineteenth most populous city in southern California. It has a long history with grape growing and winemaking. And owing to the proximity to major transportation hubs, airports, and highways, Rancho Cucamonga has become a big draw for businesses and major corporations.

Benefits of Living In Rancho Cucamonga

Really, it’s difficult to know where to begin, but some of the major benefits of living in or near Rancho Cucamonga are . . .

The Weather

Rancho Cucamonga residents enjoy about 287 days of sunshine every year. Although summers can be pretty warm and winters cool, spring and fall are mild and extremely pleasant. “In the fall, September, October, November, the temperatures are a high of 89 degrees and a low of 47 degrees, and in the spring, March, April and May, the climate averages a high of 79 degrees and a low of 47 degrees.”

The Neighborhoods

Rancho Cucamonga is a 40-square-mile municipality comprising approximately 30 neighborhoods, with “residential districts and commercial land mixed together.” The many neighborhoods provide a wide choice of places to live, offering just about anything anyone could want regardless of preferences, for example . . .

• Hillside Road, East Avenue, and Banyan Street – Boasts “some of the most expensive homes in the region”
• Haven Avenue – “home to upscale shopping centers and well off office parks”
• Alta Loma – “a lovely locale to live, with the scenic snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains as the neighborhood backdrop”
• Etiwanda – “has elementary, middle and high schools on its streets, making the vicinity popular among families”

Employment Opportunities

Rancho Cucamonga has an unemployment rate a full percentage point below the national average, so there are plenty of jobs and employment opportunities. The top employers in the area are “the Etiwanda School District, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Mercury Insurance Company and Macy’s.”

Schools/Education

“All four of Rancho Cucamonga’s high schools have received a Silver rating from US News and World Report. In addition to its traditional public schools, Rancho Cucamonga is also home to charter schools and the Upland Christian Academy.” And for higher education, you have several options, including Caffey College, located within the city limits, as well as satellite campuses of several other colleges such as Cambridge College, University of La Verne, University of Redlands, and Everest College.

Outdoor Activities

California in general and Rancho Cucamonga in particular provide abundant opportunities and venues for outdoor activities and recreation. “There are 30 parks within the city limits, offering amenities for every taste. There are reserved picnic areas, playgrounds, dog parks, and golf courses. You can also find skate parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, shuffleboard, and more.”

Cost of Living

What about that very important consideration in choosing a place to live . . . the cost of living?

Here’s how living costs in Rancho Cucamonga compare to the national average by category:

• Energy – 28.4% higher
• Food – 3.3% higher
• Healthcare – 0.6% higher
• Housing – 6.6% higher
• Transportation – 2.5% higher

Those figures can be a little misleading, though, if you don’t take into account how the cost of living in Rancho Cucamonga stacks up against the cost of living in other major cities. For example . . .

• San Francisco – 82.6% lower
• Washington, DC – 52.6% lower
• Miami – 8.1% lower
• Chicago – 11.5% lower
• Boston – 47.5% lower
• New York – 76.9% lower
• Dallas – 6.2% higher

So although living costs for Rancho Cucamonga seem to be pretty high on the face of it, they’re actually lower – and in some cases substantially lower – than in most other major cities in the US. The only exception is Dallas, which edges out Rancho Cucamonga only slightly.

Offsetting Factors

The cost of living for Rancho Cucamonga may be a little higher than the national average, but it’s still fairly low for California. And then there are the offsetting factors, both concrete and intangible, that make the cost of living actually fairly insignificant.

In 2006, Money magazine ranked Rancho Cucamonga 42^nd nationwide on its list of “Best Places to Live.” In addition, four Rancho Cucamonga high schools “earned the Silver distinction in a 2015 ranking of the nation’s high schools by U.S. News and World Report. In 2017 the California Department of Education announced that all four high schools were being named California Gold Ribbon Schools.”

In addition . . .

• In 2018, Rancho Cucamonga was named by WalletHub as the 14^th happiest town in America, based on wellbeing, income and employment, and community and environment.
• The climate is fantastic – “a year-round Mediterranean climate.”
• The crime rate is exceptionally low, “less than half the average in both the state of California and the United States.”
• The city is conveniently centrally located, offering easy access to “Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, world-class beaches, [and] snowy mountains.”
• Rancho Cucamonga is at the same time both family friendly and “economically, ethnically, and culturally diverse.”

The Verdict?

All things considered, then, Rancho Cucamonga is a great place to live. Still not convinced? Then listen to what residents have to say . . .

• “I’ve lived in Rancho Cucamonga for about a year now and I have fell in love with it! My neighborhood and neighbors are the sweetest and everything is nearby! All the shopping and dining you can ask for!”
• “I like the many parks and trails that are available to the public, they are well maintained and have been nice to use.”
• “It’s a beautiful city with friendly neighbors and great community schools. The city residents are of all different cultures and backgrounds and seem to care about the community. Its a fabulous place to raise a family.”

If you’re ready to make the move to one of the happiest towns in America, contact the premier Rancho Cucamonga agents – the ones who make the purchase of a home as fast and easy as possible.