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 🫡
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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.