Home Gardens is a suburban reprieve from busier SoCal cities
Home Gardens is known for its central location, with the Santa Ana Mountains, major Inland Empire cities and Orange County all within quick reach. The area provides a suburban home base away from the urban hubbub. “You have a lot of space to build, and there’s peace and quiet,” says Kari Janikowski, a local Realtor at KJ Realty Group Inc., who has sold here for over a decade. Sidewalks and palm trees line most streets, backdropped by mountain views. Though it may seem like a secluded residential community in some places, everyday necessities, such as shopping and dining options, are minutes away.
Variety of housing options with spacious lots
Buyers will find a variety of housing options in the area. Single-family ranch-style homes, Spanish Revivals and farmhouses comprise most of the market, with prices spanning from $450,000 to just over $800,000. Townhouses sell in the $500,000 range, and manufactured homes in small communities go for $80,000 to $215,000. One significant draw for buyers is lot size. “Many people come from Orange County and are blown away by the beauty and size of the homes in this area,” Janikowski says. “You can install pools and spas and have plenty of storage space.” Additionally, prices are much lower than in larger cities. In Home Gardens, a newly renovated property with over 2,000 square feet, five bedrooms and a pool may sell for around $750,000, while the same home in Los Angeles would start at $1.2 million.
Mountains, equestrian centers, lakes and more provide outdoor recreation
Home Gardens is under 10 miles from the off-roading paths and hiking trails that weave throughout the Santa Ana Mountains. Boaters and anglers head to Lake Perris and Lake Elsinore, the closest fully recreational reservoirs within 30 miles. Many residents enjoy horseback riding, and Norco, a city just north of Home Gardens, has numerous equestrian centers, earning it the nickname “Horsetown USA.” Golfers may get a membership at the Hidden Valley or Eagle Glen golf clubs nearby, which both offer public tee times. Arlington Heights Sports Park has other athletic facilities and amenities, including baseball and soccer fields, basketball hoops and a playground.
Two districts enroll students in Home Gardens
According to Niche, Corona-Norco Unified School District scores an A and ranks among the top five districts in the Los Angeles area for diversity and athletics. Alvord Unified School District receives a B-minus and enrolls most students in the eastern half of Home Gardens. About 4 miles away, La Sierra Academy is an A-rated private option that covers kindergarten through 12th grade.
Big-box stores and restaurants are just across the freeway
Most shopping and dining options are north of the Riverside Freeway in centers off McKinley Street. Corona Hills Plaza has Costco, Vons and Walmart, as well as casual dining. Though most restaurants in Home Gardens are regional and international chains, a few spots in Corona have become community classics. Tacos Puro Jalisco serves authentic Mexican dishes, and The Goodfellas Café nearby is an American diner named and themed after the 1990 film.
Freeways run throughout the area, and buses stop at the hospital
The main thoroughfare in Home Gardens is the Riverside Freeway, which leads to Interstate 15, a primary route connecting Southern California to Las Vegas. Drivers can reach Newport Beach and the coast in about 40 miles, and Los Angeles is 50 miles away. Corona Cruiser buses provide public transportation and stop at the Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center, under 5 miles away.
