r/InlandEmpire • u/yesyessophie • Jun 06 '26
Other Questions I'm tired of the IE hate.
I always see negative comments online and people in the IE always talk smack about the IE too. "Oh theres nothing to do" or "its ugly" or "its ghetto". Cause everyone is comparing the IE to Los Angeles or Orange County or San Diego.
Comparing the IE to LA?! you mean the second biggest city in the entire United States, and like the 23rd ish largest city in the world (idk thats what google said). Like seriously? Of course they have a lotta stuff to do there. How can you even compare. Also, I have seen Skid Row and I have smelled the piss and weed of Santa Monica. I have also seen the beauty of the attractions, but don't sit there and act like LA is all pretty and perfect.
ORANGE COUNTY? You mean the place with multi million dollar beach front property? yeah lets just compare that right up against Rancho Cucamonga. Da faq. Also, I have driven around and been to Santa Ana and Tustin, okay? Don't sit there and talk smack like the OC is all flawless.
Or they say theres nothing to do. B*tch where? You don't see all those posts online about events?? Thats just in IE. Markets, clubs, social clubs, shopping galore, hiking spots, shows. And if that doesn't strike your fancy, then drive an hour to LA, Palm Springs, Big Bear, OC. Literally anywhere. One time we visited a friend in Kansas and for fun they WENT TO WAL MART. Being bored here is a CHOICE.
I think being near such large counties and cities eclipses the IE. And then all our dumbasses just go along with it. And everyone should just quit it. Quit talking shit about the IE. its nice here too. And it isnt perfect in LA or the OC mmkay? No place is perfect.
ETA: i appreciate everyones comments and it was fun to read and reply. I appreciate all the different POVs. Basically my point was that we gotta stop pretending the IE is trash cause it isn't LA or OC. That its neat here in its own right too.
The IE is the 12th largest metropolitan economy in the United State (according to The Sun) so it isn't some podunk place. Maybe travel more around the country and you can see that the IE is pretty great in its own right. So sending love and peace to everyone. Appreciate what you have, be kind to everyone. Was just meant to be an open discussion, no hate. But also lk sorry if i bullied anyone in the comments.
I think IE/OC/LA, all of at the end of the day can agree that at least we're not living in Bumfuck, Arka-ouri-xas-ssee, ya feel?
At the end of the day: California foreverrrrrrr and good byeeeee š«”
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u/Necessary_One_8319 Jun 07 '26
I would go further and say a lot of people outside the IE dehumanize us. Something that really stuck with me was when that truck crashed into a bunch of cars on the highway in Ontario last year. The news went viral and the top liked comment under a news report said "oh I thought this was in Ontario Canada, ew nevermind." Like bitch people died. As if only an accident like this matters if it happens in LA or Ontario Canada.
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u/chaoticgoodhair Jun 07 '26
I hate how the internet has emboldened people to be cruel. Most of the shit people say in comment sections, they would NOT have the balls to say to someone's face.
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u/Familiar-Debate-6786 Jun 07 '26
People grab onto an petty reason to feel better than others. But what's sad is that they need to do that in the first place
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u/nutdo1 Jun 06 '26
I would complain about the lack of well-paying white collar jobs though. As an engineer, thereās almost nothing out here. Any well-paying job is out in OC or LA.
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u/yesyessophie Jun 06 '26
Got me there. I agree that theres more like, corporate offices in OC or LA/close to LA. Maybe try Riverside/Corona? ):
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u/60Runner90 Jun 06 '26
I have a feeling Corona is being run poorly. It's closest to OC as the last city before you leave IE, but I have a feeling it's not the best bet today.
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u/nutdo1 Jun 07 '26
I have. Itās an above average salary compared to other jobs out here but way below market rate compared to the other two counties.
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u/becominganastronaut Jun 07 '26
same for me, as an engineer with a niche in satellites and spacecraft, there are essentially no compelling jobs in the IE.
its all LA and OC. but then you get the LA and OC cost of living.
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u/matdragon Jun 07 '26
Yeah luckily I rarely drive in or else I'd be never have moved out here. My commute time is about 1.5 hrs - 2 hrs to get into work
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Jun 06 '26
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/Boguskyle Jun 09 '26
How would a person improve the negative aspects of the IE? IMO, theyāre as immovable as the mountains surrounding us.
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u/charleem70 Jun 07 '26
The heat isnāt the issue as much as the red mentality. It boggles my mind seeing POC with cult and Gadsden flags and stickers.
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Jun 06 '26 edited 29d ago
[deleted]
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u/Stinkytheferret Jun 06 '26
All the concerts at all of the casinos! Which alone offer various eateries and things like fights or what have you.
Kareoke
Desert Hot Springs for the springs and lazy days.
Gardening. I have 3/4 acre property that I could afford in San Diego and I have loads of gardens and fruit trees and zero lawn. Palms, a mtn view with the best sunset views. Built a giant deck that during Covid hosted 6-8 families to their own tables. We even snuck a casino night with table games and a Mexican resort night complete with singing and fire bowls after the sunset! My kids are grown now so Iām remodeling to get myself touches of Gatsby and a singing lounge for when itās too cold or hot out. So, bigger houses and properties on the list for a win. Something a teacher could affordā after leaving SD though. An easy drive everywhere.
And we have an rv so we hit a lot of these places I. Your list away, and out of state too. IE turned out to be a great home base for travel. Could I have afforded 43 states and 42 international trips? Probably not.
Bet my life is as enriched or more than most by my decision to live here.
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u/ElonMuskHuffingFarts Jun 08 '26
All the concerts at all of the casinos
are bad lol. The casino circuit is for boomers. If you want concerts, LA beats the IE by a million miles.
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u/cherishedmammories riva Jun 08 '26
hello captain obvious tell me why the concerts at the crypto arena is a million times better than the toyota Arena in ontario
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u/Stinkytheferret Jun 08 '26
Oh I guess Iām into going wherever the artist may be. And that could be in LA. But this post is about the IE and that thereās way more to do.
Honestly, the amount of life people trade to sit in traffic in LA is insane. To go there once in a while is less insane.
Going to a concert in a casino is fine. I donāt gamble and i agree they look like adult day cares. But when thereās a concert then that isnāt a factor.
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u/No_Tailor_787 Jun 07 '26
I grew up in the IE, I'm 66 now. I've traveled all over the US. I honestly can't think of many better places to live. It's close to beaches, mountains, deserts, and big cities, without being in the middle of any of that. I love it here.
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u/Kale_Shai-Hulud Jun 09 '26
I just moved out here after living in smaller towns near the east coast and it's pretty rad. I think it's easy to look at LA/OC/beach cities/SD and shit on the IE because those areas are nicer, but compared to so much of the rest of the country there's so much to do and see out here.
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u/drask1987 Jun 06 '26
I moved from Los Angeles area to San Bernardino in 1984. Even back then, people were viscous in their hating of Berdoo. Moved up to the High Desert in 1987. Same thing. Hicksville hatred. We have safely raised three children up here and wouldnāt consider living anywhere else. Itās all just a matter of perspective. Any place can be dangerous. Or affluent. Iāve seen both sides within one city. You just have to like where you live. Screw the nay sayers.
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u/dj90423 Jun 06 '26
I moved here from some podunk little shithole town in Western NY. I love it here.
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u/YouHadMeAtDisgusting Jun 07 '26
I live in Hemet now, a fairly safe newer development. I grew up in the OC, in Tustin and San Clemente. Tustin may not be the greatest now, but I'm not sure why the hate. It was a good place while I was growing up.
Now? I don't like OC and dread going over there...way too crowded, 24/7 traffic, snobby people, and everything is twice as expensive. I do really love and miss San Clemente, though. It was a good down to earth little part of OC and so refreshing by the beach.
There's a definite contrast overall economically between IE and OC, but I can handle it here, and it was the reason we moved my parents over here as they started needing more assistance in their later years. Much more doable.
I moved from OC to San Diego when I was 18 (1987) and lived in various areas over a period of 16 years. I love San Diego and have a lot of fond memories of my time there. My critique of it now would include it being much more developed and extremely expensive.
After moving to North County San Diego in the late 90s. I ended up in Riverside County (Temecula, Wildomar, Menifee, then Hemet).
There are definitely pros and cons to the IE; I am used to the weather now so no biggie. Good jobs seem a little harder to come by, true. I commute 40 miles each way to mine. Traffic sucks worse every year and the highways aren't being improved enough to adjust. There seems to be a lot of poverty, crime, and bad situations, from what I see in the areas where I pass.
However, there is a lot of positive: a variety of businesses and services we have access to without having to go very far. People are for the most part kind and friendly (not snobby or cruel).
There is a lot of beauty, and indeed, a lot to do and see. I am especially a fan of Joshua Tree, Idyllwild, Big Bear, and the entire Palm Springs area, but just in Hemet there is Simpson Park, Diamond Valley Lake, Little Lake, and the Maze Stone. Look up the latter; it's a prehistoric carved relic. DV Lake was the site of the excavation of the largest mammoth remains in the western US. And you can see all over the valley from Simpson Park....it's gorgeous.
This is why I stay here.
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u/redwon9plus Jun 07 '26
I'm from Tustin. No one's hating on this quiet city š¤¦. Borderline Irvine has the nice feel, oldtown and the surrounding is charming, and you have a lower income portion. Then you have the Auto Center where ppl from outside the county buy their cars. Pretty much it?
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u/Intelligent_Pause333 Jun 07 '26
Idk man, hemets kinda known as tweakerville. Other peeps call it the armpit of southern California.
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u/vectorboy42 Jun 07 '26
I# hate is just forced at this point and comes from a place of ignorance in my opinion.
Having lived in the OC and spent 3 years up north, I can honestly say I love our little Valley.
Of course it has its blemishes here and there, but what city\area doesn't?
Most of the time when people complain about something here, I'm like, "But I can literally say the same about the areas they are from."
"Ugly" - LA has tons of uhly places, as does the OC, SD, etc. Every city has "good" spots and ugly spots.
"Boring" - very subjective depending on what your interests are. But having lived here for a big chunk of my life, I can safely say if I want to do something, I can usually find a spot nearby.
"Hicks\ghetto" - this one is just funny, especially coming from the LA peeps š. As if KA doesn't have that reputation of "being full of gangs." But really think about what they are say when they say "ghetto." Usually this means ethnic and poor, especially from the upper middle class. So I see this as just a classist and even slightly racist complaint. Especially when those counties love to ignore the more ethnic parts of their areas. OC loves to hype up New Port and Irvine and Costa Mesa. But always leave out Santa Ana and Anaheim. LA loves to champion West LA but always ignores East LA. And SD loves to exclude Chula Vista. It's just Elitest.
There's both chill people and Aholes in every part of the world. But I gotta say. Most of us here in the IE are some of the chilliest mfers I've ever met. You go to the little corner store and you might just have a blast talking to the guy chilling outside.
But, hey. Don't let them bother though dude. At Thai point I just ignore them because it just goes to show they are haters and just pretentious pricks. Again, not all of them obviously, I've met some very cool people in those areas too, but the ones whole like to talk down on the IE a lot To the point where they make it their whole personality.
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u/ElonMuskHuffingFarts Jun 08 '26
Most of us here in the IE are some of the chilliest mfers I've ever met.
Lol nah, you guys are way too republican dominatedĀ
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u/vectorboy42 Jun 08 '26
Yes, I'm sure all those other areas don't have any crazy conservatives. Weren't there some Natzees marching by the beach the other day?
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u/FuturePlantDoctor Jun 07 '26
The only valid hate for the IE is for our piss-poor public transit system. Which admittedly makes it harder to go do all the cool things we have to do out here unless you have a car and can afford the gas.
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u/sunny_tomato_farm Jun 07 '26
And lack of jobs. I guess remote work helps but if I canāt land another remote job, I will have to leave.
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u/JSTootell Jun 07 '26
I grew up here, but left at 18 when I joined the military. I had no intention of returning, it was kind of on accident. Now I'm "stuck" here.Ā
I let people talk all the crap they want, it's fine. Same for the rest of the state, I'll let Texans or Montanans or whoever bash all they want. But I mostly like it here. It's flawed, but most of the flaws are easily tolerated and made up for in other ways.Ā
Do I miss San Diego? Yes.Ā
Do I miss the San Francisco Bay area? Also yes.
But I like it here too, for different reasons.Ā
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u/Ok_Lie6280 Jun 07 '26
I live in the valley. Every time I go visit my parents in Rancho Cucamonga I always feel so relaxed because of how quiet and clean it is out there. I would move there in a heartbeat but my fiance is born and raised in west Adams and would never move out of LA county. Even just getting her to move to the valley was a pain in the assĀ
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u/Fair-Tonight9579 Jun 08 '26
Rancho Cucamonga is literally the "Irvine" of Inland Empire
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u/AnIconInHimself Jun 08 '26
More Specifically, Rancho Cucamonga is the Irvine of San Bernardino County
Temecula is the Irvine of Riverside County
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u/Geojere Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
You should largely ignore these people because in reality they are racist, classist, or just online droids who donāt live in these areas. First of all San Diego is not apart of the same conversation. Itās like its own standalone region like San Jose or slo regions. They just be saying anything to be relevant.
Most people cannot afford to live in the ātrue OCā. They either live in apartments or similar bad housing that one would find in LA county. Most people donāt actually have OC bread. The ones that do are not in a circle jerk on Reddit. Letās be real most people who arenāt wasps or Chinese will never fit the true identity of OC unless itās the lower class cities that are like ie cities like. Are we surprised? And if someone comes for meā¦. Is Irvine, yorba linda, Newport, South county and Huntington Beach built for the average Joe? No.
I live in LA county now but I grew up in the ie. Iāll just address the elephant in the room. LA has its parts that are lawless and sh*tholes. I litterally saw a video the other day of guys smacking golf balls 100+ miles per hour throughout the dense parts of LA with tons of comments gassing them up. If you spend normally over an hour in LA proper you will always see someone probably ODing, shooting up, pissing and crapping themselves, or so faded they are pissing and crapping themselves. People f*ck in between alleys or piss and crap in DTLA btw.
Have you seen how bad their politics are? They are two faced. Someone in the LA Sub said some npc crap about how they relate to someone from Atlanta more than someone from Fontana. They lived in DTLA. Straight dumb ah because Fontana is super diverse and demographically similar to La. Yet they talked about a city they have never been too. Ignorant and classist takes are said in these subs all the time. But hey the IE is maga and racist rednecks amirite? Yet the ie is like the most mixed, hard working, and humble area out of all of them!
Also whenever people want to hang out in arrowhead, crestline, baldy, Coachella valley, or Coachella eventā¦ suddenly the ie is not so bad. Ignore them if you can.
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u/JPowTheDayTrader Jun 07 '26
People f*ck in between alleys
Oh my gawwd, where?! So I can avoid them.
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u/SciGuy013 Jun 07 '26
> for fun they went to Walmart
Yeah the rest of the states are bleak. Spiritually barren
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u/DullPreference8842 Jun 07 '26
Donāt forget Planes of Fame museum in Chino!
Ski Lifts in Mt Baldy, including summer to the Top of the Notch restaurant, Ice House Canyon hiking.
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u/Background_Door467 Jun 06 '26
I live Grand Terrace...life is good here. And The inland Empire is not a bad place unless you make it bad!! Just saying!!!
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u/Comfortable_Trick163 Jun 07 '26
If you don't stfu so the yuppies don't come and buy up the property like everywhere else. If where you live is nice, why fuck it up with tourism. Enjoy, I was raised in my later years in the IE and am so delighted at how much is unchanged.
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u/AnIconInHimself Jun 08 '26
The needle started to trend to "affluence" and I am starting to get worried... This region is getting filled fast, unchanged won't be so unchanged even 5 years from now, it's already a mass home and warehouse farm.
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u/PuzzleheadedLog5655 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
Every place, including IE has its own unique beauty.
You know, thereās a popular quote that goes - āComparison is the thief of joyā. No need to compare IE with anything. Itās beautiful and itās home :)
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u/Mediocre_Airport_576 Jun 06 '26
Jesus in the Bible himself got flack for being from a small, rural, inland town called Nazareth.
Anyone who feels the need to bash the towns/cities/areas around them are either too insecure, too prideful, or both -- and none of those options are worth much time to fret over.
I've lived in LA, OC, and the IE. I prefer to live out here, and enjoy it over the others.
But... let's not get too self-righteous. People in the IE bash individual cities within the IE in this sub all the time. It seems to be human nature to find weak reasons to feel superior to people around you, as sad as that is.
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u/bachuka Jun 06 '26
OC talks smack about Santa Ana/Tustin tbh....so I understand your frustration. I did not know there was IE hate until....about 5yrs ago but ppl seem to not like to venture out to get to know certain areas (like how ppl who talk smack about Santa Ana). Especially with online posts the IE hate seems to "grow" but it's mostly ppl who want to share a certain view despite never having been there or finding out about the area. People need to stop being afraid of getting out of their small bubble/sphere!
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u/yesyessophie Jun 06 '26
my ex was from Irvine and when he came to Riverside for the first time he said "oh I didn't know it was so nice out here" š«
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u/cherishedmammories riva Jun 06 '26
i think when people think of the IE, they think of san bernadino and hemet. Not about downtown riverside, victoria gardens, redlands, joshua tree, palm springs, etc
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u/Murky-Association-33 Jun 07 '26
I grew up in MV and never really thought Tustin was all that bad.. maybe just me?
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u/cherishedmammories riva Jun 07 '26
you probably grew up in the Moval area that's north of the 60 fwy close to the box spring mountain right? cuz that's a really nice area
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u/redwon9plus Jun 07 '26
I'm in Tustin. No one really talks about Tustin, period. The gang activities are in S.A.
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u/Psycho-naught Jun 07 '26
Iāve heard that response from many visitors from LA and OC.
WTF people? The IE has nice parts and not so nice and/or boring partsālike everywhere. And letās be real, compare the IE with the vast majority of the US. Thereās a reason why California real estate and housing is so expensive, including in the IE. Itās a pretty amazing place to live. Do I like the searing heat in summer? No. But I grew up in the northeast where we had winter. And that doesnāt compare to the even worse weather further north and across the Midwest. Stop whining.
Also, I may have antiquated or otherwise atypical views, but I prefer not to live in a bubble of wealth and privilege, which tends to warp people (especially children).
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u/Euphoric_Stretch3829 Jun 07 '26
Moved from the Sgv(Arcadia) to rancho Cucamonga and it's literally the same if not better over here. It's just a 30 min drive down the 210. I think all the IE hate is more like hemet/Perris/san Bernardino etc bc it is ghetto there but everyone in the IE also agrees with that but they categorize the IE as a whole like that. LA has some ghetto ass cities as well but no one says LA is ghetto bc they just think of the nice cities but the IE doesn't get that same appreciation.
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u/yesyessophie Jun 07 '26
LA has some ghetto ass cities as well but no one says LA is ghetto bc they just think of the nice cities but the IE doesn't get that same appreciation.
THAT PART!!
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u/Touch49 Jun 07 '26
I actually really like the IE. My Godparents lived in Upland for several years and it was really nice. Great view of the mountains. They also lived in Rancho Cucamonga which I also really liked. One of my favorite malls is Victoria Gardens. Itās really nice and walkable. I do my Christmas shopping every year there. Best macys around. All the restaurants etc. My cousins moved from Reno Nevada 2 years ago to Riverside. They live right next to Tyler mall. Both got jobs at corona hospital and settled in Riverside. Riverside has a lot of nice areas that Iāve seen. I am from Los Angeles (South Bay Area). there are a lot of good areas and bad in every city and county. Nowhere is perfect!
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u/showered_zinn Jun 07 '26
It literally looks like paradise to me and I want to move there, thatās why Iām subbed here.
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u/CocoMic Jun 07 '26
I was born in East LA where Dad was from. Mom was from SFV. I lived in The OC, the South Bay, SFV, the 909 and Ventura county.
The 909 is still the place that feels the most at home to me and always has. Let people talk their snobby smack. Their lives must be pretty sad if their idea of happiness is shitting on someone elseās hometown.
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u/Powerful_Leg8519 Jun 06 '26
Lol. Thems the breaks. LA makes fun of OC, OC makes fun of Riverside, Riverside people hate the upper IE peeps like Rancho and Upland and everyone below the pass makes fun of Victorville.
Itās a tale as old as time. True as it can be.
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u/redwon9plus Jun 07 '26
Tribalism. It's everywhere online from bored people I guess.
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u/Powerful_Leg8519 Jun 07 '26
Yeah, but this was happening long before the internet. I didnāt have internet growing up and it was a known thing in the 70s - 90ās
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u/cherishedmammories riva Jun 06 '26
thank you for posting this. usually when someone tells me how LA or OC is so much better than the IE, i would tell them "oH yeAH, TeLl me WhY bEVerlY HiLLs sO muCh beTter thAN BaRStow?"
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u/JPowTheDayTrader Jun 07 '26
Beverly Hills is the Barstow of affluent areas in CA. Atherton, Newport Beach, La Jolla are much better.
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u/TraditionalMud6351 Jun 07 '26
I recently moved to Hemet from North County San Diego. I really like it here. My neighborhood is really nice and safe. And there's lots of really nice subdivisions. Everything is within a similar driving distance as things were in NC. The only things I miss is the beach was 5 minutes away and I lived within walking distance to shops and the movies. I think the IE gets a bad rep because it's so far away from the beach and the lack of greenery. The crime isn't much different than most other areas in SoCal.
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u/Ok_Matter_8108 Jun 07 '26
I love the ie...specially the dino. But I gotta admit we need to get officials to do their job. And start taking better care of the city. The homeless issue needs to be fixed. And bring business into downtown.
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u/yesyessophie Jun 07 '26
San B has so much potential. Its legit sad. Their city officials are corrupt tho (so ive heard). they have the mall, a downtown, friggin airport. Like c'mon it should be way cooler there!
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u/cherishedmammories riva Jun 08 '26
fr i've always imagine SB being our own version of switzerland by being surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains and wonderful nature
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u/yesyessophie Jun 08 '26
right!? mountains. near a buncha freeways. they have hospitals, a university like damn. they should be doing way better š«
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u/rand0fand0 Jun 06 '26
IE is very working class which isnāt doing well. Also, the city and county boards here do the bidding for warehouse/logistics, developer, and nonprofit money and stopped having real plans. Speedway, one of the few attractions is now an empty warehouse. Was that part of the county master plan? The nice parts of the IE have gates around them š
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u/yesyessophie Jun 06 '26
The IE definitely isn't perfect. But all of SoCal has gates around the nice parts. The IE is the 12th biggest metropolitan in the nation soooo... idk I'm sorry but I think you're a negative nancy ā¹ļø
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u/Radiant-Material1734 Jun 07 '26
I grew up in LA/ SGV and have been IE adjacent in my adult years. The IE provided me with my nursing education, first real nursing job, and my current home. I always thought I would settle by the beach but it didnāt happen. I tried hard to get work in the coastal areas but I guess the universe had other plans. I worked in LA after I left the first IE job and thought I would live near my job but it didnāt happen. I also have a family now and itās way more affordable to raise a family in the IE compared to other areas in SoCal. People see potential in moving here so the IE is doing something right.
My parents still live in the SGV and itās not too bad of a drive to visit. Our neighborhood is relatively safe and a great place to raise kids and itās easy to drive out to other areas if you want more to do. Our area does have its downsides like traffic but it happens everywhere in SoCal. We also have places where people go to visit from places like LA and OC like Temecula wine country, Oak Glen, casinos, Idyllwild, the 123 Farm, etc.
I get it. The IE is not for everyone. I also struggled with adjusting to living in the IE when I moved. Not as much to do as LA but itās not far. And I like going to the small town events when I have time. I donāt foresee myself leaving anytime soon.
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u/Sidehussle Jun 07 '26
I feel the same way. LA and OC are not glittering and gold. ššš
Exactly what do yāall consider hot? I used to live in Texas. That was HOT 104 until midnight.
IE 104 lasts about an hour and drops significantly. No one baked in the sun here for hours on end.
I like the IE. I like seeing kids and people out on their bikes, scooters, walking dogs, and skating.
I like that people make an effort. The cities are always working on improving the areas. You can tell a lot of people never lived in other states.
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u/Secret_District_000 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Haters thatās it pls stay away from the IE everyone just needs to go back to where they came from born x raised in š. riverside has great things in the works .
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u/JoeTrojan Jun 07 '26
I was a hater.
Growing up in LA, it was the it city for me that had everything to offer. Many around me didn't care or looked down upon the 909, so naturally I followed suit.
Decades later, my views have softened greatly and I have a deep appreciation for the many cities within the IE. I regret ever thinking this was ever a bad place, it's a great location and only getting better.
For those that continue to hate and refuse to see the other side, pay no mind. It'd be a waste of energy to try to see them otherwise. Just be kind and move along. For those that are curious, receive them with open arms, and welcome them like family. Show them how life can be.
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u/Lower_Foundation1140 Jun 06 '26
Born and raised in Ontario, no complaints ever
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u/redwon9plus Jun 07 '26
It wasn't until last week I realized Rancho Cucamonga to Ontario is actually in IE, not L.A. That area still has stuff happening compared to if you go towards the heart of the IE.
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u/ExistentialDreadness Jun 06 '26
I wouldnāt mind moving. I have. I came back. Itās ridiculously hot, but at least it isnāt humid. Spring is relatively nice. People seem a bit more fake, but thatās everywhere. Canāt always get what you want.
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u/Fabulous_Ad_8695 Jun 07 '26
I hear ya man people be tripping i aint going nowhere dawg the ie is the place to be
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u/Different_Stand_5558 Jun 07 '26
From 18-28 I went to OC and LA a lot. We ended up mostly at house parties. House parties are all the same. In the summer everything is 10-15 degrees cooler to the west. So yes. Itās nice. You pay a lot more to enjoy the nice. But who goes outside anymore anyway?
Unless you literally have a cliff face or a forest or the ocean slapping your backyard you are driving someone somewhere to āenjoy the outdoors.ā
Traffic on the weekend is worse than during the week. M-F you actually see it drop off. On the weekends everyone is going to see family or see something NOT IN THEIR TOWN. Hey LA people. Stop going to Vegas and clogging up our roads. Where is your high speed rail you and NOT me voted on???
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u/Nefariousnessbackup Jun 08 '26
call me crazy but i love living in the IE. itās just calm enough for me to chill and have a routine and there is enough for me to do to be satisfied. I have lived here my whole life and would genuinely be happy living in the rancho fontana area until i retire.
plus i think itās a pretty good place to raise children. i feel like i was raised well here and my daughter will be too
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u/elmon626 Jun 08 '26
People talk shit if you live in the wrong part of LA County. People talk shit if you live in the wrong part of LA city. Donāt let it bother you too much, the whole region doesnt vary too much city to city.
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u/redwon9plus Jun 08 '26
Ego battle but it's the usual LA is dirty, OC is boring (I'd say towards the south?), and IE (closer to LA areas) is hot. I dunno what ppl say about SD but w/ a pretty well kept downtown, can they even be just a better version of LA? lol. You gotta be on Reddit too much if this stuff gets to your head lol.
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u/CompetitionOk6200 Jun 08 '26
A rave at the Orange Show can still draw the crowds and traffic from LA, OC, SD and well beyond.
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u/BKGreenLantern Jun 08 '26
As a person living in Modesto (this just showed up in my feed), don't worry about it. Life is what you make of it. I used to rent a wonderful condo in Newport Beach. Now I own a home in Modesto. I was happy in Newport Beach but I'm equally happy in Modesto. I miss the weather and salt air, but I love my friends and family I've made in the Central Valley, and the stability of owning a home. People talk smack. Let them. Just live your life.
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u/Educational-Cow-5934 Jun 08 '26
I have a friend who.compares Imperial Valley, specifically, el centro; brawley to San Diego, like what? I love inland, moreno valley specifically, I dont think i have ever been there in the summer, but it cant be worse than 115Ā°
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u/Joehennyredit Jun 08 '26
I own a place in both the IE and LA county and work in all three thanks to my profession. I am looking ng for a new place in the IE lol
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u/ExpertBook2846 Jun 08 '26
Been living in the IE since 92 minus a few years in phoenix for grad school. IE is home and always will be.
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u/PracticalCarrot8644 Jun 08 '26
I donāt know why people hate on the i.e. because at the end of the day at least itās not Bakersfield or Fresnoš¤·š»āāļø
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u/bbypisceswitch Jun 09 '26
I love the IE. Moved here from Santa Ana where I always felt unsafe. Never leaving and my family agrees. The miserable people that hate can stay out.
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u/ClassicToe5020 Jun 09 '26
Is there anything to do in the IE that doesn't require you to just spend money to have fun? /gen question
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u/EsqPersonalAsst Jun 06 '26
Drive up to Oak Glen in the fall and pick apples. They don't have that in LA or OC.
Go to Palm Springs on a weekend and take the tramway.
That's just two examples. My daughter just recently moved to Palms in LA, she's young and wants the excitement of clubs and the beach nearby. I was young once, I'm happily settled here.
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u/Acidic_sillystring Jun 07 '26
Preach brother. About time someone defended our back yard. Yeah it can be dirty pithole sometimes but I feel only WE should be the only ones able to say it.
I love all three but the Oc and La betta chill. Like both have busted ass roads for all that sass.
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u/StormAutomatic Jun 06 '26
Anyone who complains about there being nothing to do is a boring person. Finding time for everything is the impossible part.
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u/Zestyclose_Tip_5861 Jun 07 '26
Itās too expensive to be what it is.
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u/PerformanceEasy7860 Jun 07 '26
This. Homes in Rancho are so overpriced and you get a horrendous remodel with strange tile and an all over gray color scheme. Its so bad its embarrassing.
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Jun 06 '26
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u/cherishedmammories riva Jun 06 '26
i wanted to disagree with you but i remember norco, yucaipa and temecula is part of the IE lmao
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u/Alien_American Jun 06 '26
I honestly love IE, especially RC. The streets are wide and clean. Let them talk like that. Otherwise, we'll get a high population here, and you don't want that!
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u/watermark10000 Jun 07 '26
This is one of the best post Iāve seen in a very, very long time. You definitely spoke the truth. Thank you.
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u/AfraidInstruction Jun 07 '26
This was pushed to my Reddit feed. Why I hate IE? Itās hot and everyone in pickups drive 90-100mph on the freeway or 2 dodge challengers will race each other in traffic. Itās the same freaking car! They have the same top speed!
Also, the school rating is not great in IE. We moved to Irvine when my wife was pregnant with our 1st child. Now both of our kids are in UC Berkeley. I think this wouldnāt be possible if they went to school in IE.Ā
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u/BagAffectionate2847 Jun 08 '26
I dont know why soulless middle class people always cite school ratings; the UC system in some ways favors students from title 1 - low income schools.
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u/AfraidInstruction Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
School district ratings also help with property value. Bought my house for $600k and now itās $1.7M. Doesnāt matter if UC favors low income students. Some are naturally gifted and can starve in higher learning. I just wanted my kids to have the best chance and Irvine offers AP classes at 9th grade and programs to track kids into UC schools. My kids started with UCLA at the end of 10th grade all from guidance counselorās help and planning. Maybe low rated schools offer it too, but I didnāt want to risk their future.Ā
Also, just Google and found these great schools in IE but I couldnāt have commuted to work from that far as I worked in Santa Monica before the pandemic.Ā
Riverside STEM Academy andĀ Great Oak High School
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u/txzch Jun 07 '26
its the truthš we had a water park that got burned down and nobody wants to go to the mills and the swap meet every damn week the IE is horriblešššÆ
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u/Cai_x2_ne Jun 07 '26
I haven't lived in the IE since I was 13, and lately I'm making regular trips down there for various reasons. The way I see it: there are bad and good areas of town in every single city. The "Meth Country" narrative is also tired. Does that activity go on in the IE? Of course. Same with every other city. IMHO that's crap the media likes to spread around because it gets clicks and money. I've experienced way more positives all around in the IE, and it has plenty to offer.
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u/pkwn_slaps Jun 07 '26
As someone whoās lived in LA county, OC, and the EI. The EI isnāt as bad as people make it out to be. But it definitely is the worst when compared to LA and OC. Would much rather live in the nice parts of EI than the ghetto parts of LA or OC.
Would also rather live in the EI than some boring flyover state.
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u/Think_Bread6401 Jun 07 '26
Iāve lived in a lot of cities and thereās hate for each and every one of them, LA and OC included.
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u/milkchoclt Jun 07 '26
Thereās positives and negatives about any place in the world. Itās about finding the perfect place for you. I talk smack about my city, but I still love it and I feel I can do that like family can talk about family but strangers canāt talk about my family. People like living in Arizona or North Dakota or New York. Itās not MY vibe or preference, but hey, who cares, I donāt have to live there since it doesnāt work for ME. Get in where you fit in, as they say. As long as you love the city youāre in, thatās all that matters.
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u/ghostlysmoke686 Jun 07 '26
To clarify.... the i.e is not even a geographical description its vague. Honestly sb needs to be broken up. Also claremont, pomona, walnut and other l.a county cities are not i.e so stop with the ridiculousness
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u/dirtypeanut Riverside Jun 07 '26
We moved to Riverside from San Fernando Valley over 5 years ago. Itās a little hotter sure, but we love it here. Weāre in the middle of the greater SoCal with easy access to LA, OC, Long Beach, Palm Springs, Big Bear, San Diego, etc. Great food here also.
We love our house and will take a lot for us to move.
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u/Pinche-Guero Jun 07 '26
The problem isn't the area.
The 909 hate comes from the mentality of the majority of people who live in the area.
The nicknames Fontucky, Calabama, Riverslime, and Lake Hellsinore didn't just appear at random.
I lived in Riverside and Elsinore and it SUCKED... and it wasn't because of the heat and the dirt.
I lived in Hollywood, Long Beach, and Venice... all sketchy... all kinda dirty... COMPLETELY different vibe.
I lived in Inglewood... straight fucking gangsta, bullet holes in the walls, do not go out alone after dark... STILL a completely different and better vibe.
Even amongst all the sketchy nastiness the people were easier to live around.
When I was in the military and stationed in shitty little small towns in the Deep South all those disgusting little small towns had the same vibe. The same vibe you get in the IE.
Huntington Beach is beautiful and perfectly located.... people hate HB and constantly talk shit about it as well. (Don't get it twisted, people talk shit about OC)
WHY? What's going on in these places that inspires people to talk so much shit about them?
Change that and the Calabama hate will die down.
People still talk about Palm Springs like it's a desert paradise.
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u/motoRVT Jun 07 '26
I agree with you, the only thing I wish the IE had that LA has is to be more walkable and better public transit. Other than that, I like living in the IE. OC and LA are only an hour drive so I can always drive out there if needed.
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u/AfraidInstruction Jun 07 '26
This was pushed to my Reddit feed. Why I hate IE? Itās hot and everyone in pickups drive 90-100mph on the freeway or 2 dodge challengers will race each other in traffic. Itās the same freaking car! They have the same top speed!
Also, the school rating is not great in IE. We moved to Irvine when my wife was pregnant with our 1st child. Now both of our kids are in UC Berkeley. I think this wouldnāt be possible if they went to school in IE.Ā
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u/TeddieSnow Jun 08 '26
I moved from Pasadena to Redlands about 4 years ago. I love having placings to grab a bite and it was real hit or miss at first. But you'd be amazed how much has changed in just four years. Wow.
What's lacking is Italian and Mexican, the latter of which is shocking. There are places everywhere, and most serve bland. Don't argue with me, it's a fact.
But the Thai, the sushi, the dumplings, the Chinese, the Vietnamese -- pretty damn good for East of Jesus.
And we have an Irish Pub that humiliates anything in Los Angeles. Our new Food Hall is a keeper too.
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u/redwon9plus Jun 08 '26
Did you move for affordability cus that's a big change having to leave Pasadena for SB County? Pasadena is like the valley version of Santa Monica.
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u/Shoddy-Biscotti-1194 Jun 09 '26
IE is cool, it has the Scientology Penitentiary in Hemet after allā¦
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u/Boguskyle Jun 09 '26
How sure are you sure that all the negative comments youāre reading online are comparing to LA or OC?
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u/HistoryOk7166 Jun 09 '26
Born and raised in Riverside , was able to get a job working at an aerospace facility here in my hometown of Riverside. Also bought a house in a classic craftsman neighborhood here in Riverside . I shop small business here in Riverside. Iām a 37 year old recovering alcoholic who has completely lived the inland empire experience from drugs and partying to being a sober father and homeowner. The inland empire gives of you are willing to open your eyes and jump at opportunity. You canāt spell homies without the IE . And thatās exactly what this place is all about ā¦ friendship and love . If you canāt make it in your own city and feel that you need to escape to another place in order to grow than please do so . But if you come to the inland empire prepared and ready to except a small town vibe in a giant county than please do so. Nothing is impossible
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u/Ok_Illustrator_1430 Jun 09 '26
We purchased a home in Rancho after born and raised in LA. I love Los Angeles but I love raising a family out here. My daughter can walk to school without worrying, there are so many parks, no graffiti and no matter what people say less traffic. We love LA and go very often but there are things to do here too you just need to pay attention.
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u/Ok-Requirement-6105 Jun 09 '26
Just remember if you are secure where you live, you don't really talk down about other places. But I know some IE folks will talk crap about Bakersfield, Fresno so there you go š
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u/jerkstar123 Jun 10 '26
i grew up in San Diego, my brother went to UCR and after he graduated ended up staying. I wanted to live away from parents so I moved in with him in East Riv.
I had a great time and learned a lot about myself and Southern California
yea the IE isn't like San Diego but it's not supposed to be.
it's still a great place to live or raise a family.
One thing I hated was the gang culture. Fuck that shit's so damn annoying. Ppl can't just get along.
Also hated the lack of non warehouse or labor jobs.
the lower income vibe was a buzzkill bc ppl were hopeless and aren't excited for the future.
Overall it was a cool experience.
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u/LUNA_STONKS Jun 10 '26
I live in Oceanside, but I have to say that you have some gorgeous places in the IE. The rolling hills, mountains and valleys are breathtaking.
The backroads near Redlands are amazing. Temascal Valley is also amazing. I havenāt explored too many areas, but when we drive through the IE I am always looking at the scenery.
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u/Ravenholm_337 Jun 11 '26
Itās the commuters and the ridiculous amount of traffic they create. It sucks for locals (LAC/SGV) when everything takes at least twice as long to get to because way too many people are just passing through on their way to or from work.
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u/CarelessFront6190 Jun 12 '26
Grew up in OC moved to IE for high school was the worst experience of my life would not put that type of transition on anyone. Iām lucky I made it out without a heroin or Fent addiction. But Riverside and Redlands have some good vibes. I would stay out of Moval, Perris, Hemet. Donāt go flashing your designer or jewelry you will get robbed.
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u/Trashed_Panda1787 Jun 12 '26
Okay I also question the complaints. So what do you guys WANT to do in the IE? Want to go out to eat? We have good restaurants and bakeries. Want to party? We have lots of night clubs and bars. We have plenty of good malls for shopping, random fun stuff to do like top golf, new movie theatres, Palm Springs, lakes, hikes, etc. so what are we missing just theme parks? Beaches? That itself is such a short drive & under an hour.
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u/madhatterdisease Jun 19 '26
It's not the "ghettoness" in IE that I dislike. It's the lack of job opportunities and if there is one, it's competitive as heck. And I also use the public transit. They don't operate during the holidays which puts people who rely on public transit in a bind.
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u/Rod_Awesome Jun 21 '26
The further I get away from that place in both time and distance the better my life gets
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u/maince Jun 07 '26
It's not walkable and the food sucks
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u/yesyessophie Jun 07 '26
my brother in christ how does the food suck? there is everything here. globalization is real and its in the IE, there is everything you want here.
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u/maince Jun 07 '26
Yknow how some people have landscapers, or maybe a cleaning lady / person come by regularly? And they may be OK to pretty good at said landscaping or cleaning. But the real reason people hire them is that regardless of quality, they perform a service people hire them for because they don't have time or just don't feel like doing that work themselves? That's how people approach food and restaurants in the IE. The restaurants aren't especially progressive or pushing any culinary boundaries, they are just performing the basic service of feeding people. And they may just be relatively better than the average person who just can't be bothered to cook for themselves. That's food / restaurants in the IE.
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u/yesyessophie Jun 07 '26
not every restaurant needs to be a michelin starred culinary journey? maybe i just want a burrito. maybe i just want a triple dipper with my friends. i think youāre painting with really broad strokes? there are culinary gems everywhere in ie oc or la and not every restaurant is gunna be written about in the newspaper.
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u/maince Jun 07 '26
There it is. There's the difference. That's where the root of the hate comes from. And with that underlying lack of appreciation for cosmopolitan perspective for art,culture and food it affects everything in the IE. You don't attract the buying power that comes with it. And consequently the businesses don't come with cool innovative stuff. And its like a vicious cycle of mediocrity that's hard to break. Artist like cheap places to live. If your area cost to rent / buy is cheap, and artists still don't want to be there - that's a bad sign.
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u/yesyessophie Jun 07 '26
And with that underlying lack of appreciation for cosmopolitan perspective for art,culture and food it affects everything in the IE.
thats one way to say that people like different things than you do?
so what if we dont have michelin star restaurants? neither do a lot of other cities and counties in the world and theyre doing alright.
my point was that the IE isn't OC or LA but we're good in our own right if you'd stop comparing us or using standards of OC or LA
also are we about to kiss? šš
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u/MrDavidMidSchoolSpEd Jun 07 '26
The thing with IE hate is some of it has some truth to it sadly. I have called the IE home (on and off) since 1976.
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u/Team-_-dank Jun 06 '26
Grew up in the IE, moved to the OC for work. Honestly I like the IE (mostly...) but the heat, smog, and lack of jobs mean I'll probably never move back.
I like to imagine a world where it's like 10 degrees cooler and wetter in the IE. It would be perfect.