Moreno Valley

Located along Interstate 215 on the western edge of Moreno Valley, Edgemont is a rapidly changing area that offers a convenient lifestyle for homeowners. “It’s kind of an up-and-coming area. They’re building more residential properties in that area and also developing a lot of commercial restaurants and shopping and stuff like that,” says Carlos Gutierrez, a Realtor at G2 Realty Group with RE/MAX Champions. This suburban neighborhood features a mix of densely populated streets and some areas where homes are sparser. Many of the open lots in the neighborhood are being developed into commercial properties like warehouses and logistical facilities, bringing jobs to the area. The shopping and dining of Moreno Valley is close by, with a mix of chain and local retailers and restaurants just north of Edgemont. And for residents who commute to other parts of Southern California for work, nearby Interstate 215 gives them an easy start to their drive. Homes in Edgemont primarily include modest ranch-style homes and cottages. There are clusters of houses on suburban streets with sidewalks, driveways, and tall palm trees towering over the neighborhood. Other parts of the community have houses with open lots between them. Most residents of Edgemont rent their homes; 35% of the residents own their homes. Local realtors say the neighborhood is a good spot for buyers looking to get started investing in real estate due to the lower cost of housing and the incoming developments in the area. Single-family homes start at around $400,000 and can cost up to $500,000. Homebuyers should know the neighborhood has a severe risk of wildfire, much higher than areas to the east but lower than areas immediately west. Factors such as fire history, vegetation and weather all contribute to the risk. Edgemont residents have easy access to multiple transportation options. Riverside Transit has two routes that pass through the neighborhood. Route 16 can take residents northeast to Moreno Valley Mall or northwest to the University of California Riverside. Route 20 runs along Alessandro Boulevard on the neighborhood’s southern end and takes residents east to local hospitals and Moreno Valley College or west to the Magnolia Center neighborhood of Riverside. Residents who prefer to drive themselves have a 10-mile drive to downtown Riverside along Alessandro Boulevard. For longer commutes to destinations like Corona and Orange County, residents can hop on Interstate 215 just west of the neighborhood before heading west on State Route 91. Students in Edgemont will likely attend Edgemont Elementary School, rated a C-minus by Niche; Sunnymead Middle School, rated a C; and Moreno Valley High School, rated a B. Edgemont Elementary is the oldest school in Moreno Valley and has received several awards, including a Gold Ribbon for outstanding school-community partnerships and the Title I Academic Achievement Award. The school offers after-school programs through Think Together, a nonprofit organization that helps students with English, math, STEM and arts enrichment. Moreno Valley High School serves approximately 2,200 students and has a student-teach ratio of 21-to-1. The school offers the AP Capstone program, which prepares students for college through rigorous research, collaboration and communication courses. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must score a three or higher on the AP Seminar and AP Research exams, plus four additional AP exams of their choice. Edgemont residents have their choice of a broad mix of local and chain restaurants in the neighborhood. Joe’s Italian is a long-standing local favorite on Alessandro Boulevard, with a menu that includes traditional pizzas, pasta, steak and seafood. The restaurant is known for its large portions, which diners can split or take home for lunch the next day. Just a block over, Chito’s Mexican Food is a popular counter-serve spot known for its burritos and carne asada nachos. North of the neighborhood, residents can dine at chains like Portillo’s, The Kickin’ Crab and Bravos California Fresh. Shopping in the area includes the Moreno Valley Mall, home to anchor stores JCPenney and Macy’s, plus plenty of smaller shops. Residents can grab household essentials at Costco, Target or Walmart, while groceries are available at the nearby WinCo Foods. Several parks in the area give Edgemont residents plenty of recreation options. Moreno Valley Community Park is about 1.5 miles east of the neighborhood and has grills, soccer fields and a playground. Golf lovers can hit the links at Cottonwood Golf Center, a public nine-hole course with a snack bar and banquet facilities that residents can rent for events. If locals are willing to drive a little further, several more outdoor activities are available in the area. “Lake Perris is nearby, just south of Edgemont. You can go there to go jet skiing and boating. There’s lots of hiking in the hills in Moreno Valley,” Guiterrez says. Lake Perris State Recreation Area is about a 10-mile drive from the neighborhood and offers several activities, including fishing, swimming, hiking and boating. The park is popular for day-use, but also has overnight campgrounds if residents want to make a weekend out of the trip. In addition to Lake Perris, Edgemont residents are also close to Box Springs Mountain Preserve Park and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park. Living in Edgemont puts residents near several large warehouses and logistical facilities, giving them easy access to major employers. Companies with facilities nearby include Pepsi, Nissan and Burlington. At least two warehouses are under development on empty lots in the neighborhood, bringing more economic activity to the area. The neighborhood is also just 3 miles north of March Air Force Reserve Base, making it convenient for those working there.

Rancho Belago—which combines Spanish and Italian words meaning "ranch" and "beautiful lake"—has a history of agriculture and scenic recreational lakes. Today, the neighborhood looks vastly different than a decade ago, with plenty of new housing developments. "You're going to see newer neighborhoods, but there are also larger properties there, so you get larger homes on larger lots," says Tyler Hungerford, leader of the Hungerford Team with Keller Williams Riverside. "Specifically, south of the freeway, there are quite a few neighborhoods that have larger lots." Homebuyers in Rancho Belago have their pick of modern housing, with several subdivisions spread out in the area, separated by large open fields. While development has increased, residents still benefit from a less busy neighborhood than central Moreno Valley. "It's quieter. You're not going to see a lot of traffic, and there are not a lot of people driving through to get to another city," says Gabriela Hanson, a Realtor with Nest Real Estate, who has sold multiple homes in Rancho Belago. Rancho Belago residents have easy access to popular outdoor spots like Lake Perris State Recreation Area. This 8,800-acre park is centered around the namesake lake, which visitors can use for boating, fishing and swimming. There are multiple beaches where residents can set up in the sand and spend the day enjoying the sunshine. The park also has several hiking trails and campgrounds for those who want to get away for an overnight trip. The neighborhood also has multiple city parks for other recreational opportunities. Morrison Park is a 15-acre green space with soccer and baseball fields, picnic tables and a walking path. Golf lovers can tee off at Rancho del Sol Golf Club, a par-71 course featuring scenic views of Mt. Russell throughout the 18 holes. Homes in Rancho Belago are primarily newer suburban houses built in the late 2000s. Many incorporate Spanish elements, like red tile roofs, stucco siding and arched doorways. Most come with two- or three-car garages on the front and are built close together on neighborhood streets lined with sidewalks and palm trees. Some houses are spread out in a more rural area, giving residents space from their neighbors. Hungerford says prices in the neighborhood make it appealing for buyers in Southern California. "It's a place where a lot of people can still go and get an affordable property. Affordability is probably the biggest driver in that area. People can still afford to own a property and drive to LA if they need to," he says. Most houses cost between $550,000 and $700,000. Larger properties can cost between $700,000 and $750,000. There are some townhouses and condos in the neighborhood that cost around $430,000 to $480,000. Students in Rancho Belago might attend Ridge Crest Elementary School, rated a B-minus by Niche; Landmark Middle School, rated a C; and Vista Del Lago High School, rated a B. Students can study several career pathways at the high school, including engineering, arts, health careers and cybersecurity. The school also offers the Middle College High School program through a partnership with Moreno Valley College. This program allows students to take college courses and potentially graduate with their high school diploma and an associate degree. Despite the neighborhood's somewhat rural nature, residents have several shopping options. The northern part of the neighborhood is home to a Walmart and a Target just south of Moreno Valley Freeway. Other stores in this area include Kohl's, Sportsman's Warehouse and Tractor Supply Co. More groceries are available at Staters Bros. Markets, with stores located on Moreno Beach Drive and Iris Avenue. Residents can enjoy dining at regional chains like Round Table Pizza, a casual spot offering specialty and custom pizzas. Armando's Mexican Food is a popular counter-serve restaurant known for its carne asada fries, burritos and taquitos. While Rancho Belago is a semi-rural area, plenty of jobs are nearby, and many more are on the horizon. The neighborhood has two major hospitals—Riverside University Health System Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Moreno Valley Medical Center. Just south of Moreno Valley Freeway, the Skechers distribution center employs over 1,000 people. There are plans to build a large-scale logistics center in Rancho Belago that would bring even more jobs. The World Logistics Center is a planned 40.6 million-square-foot facility that would be the largest logistics center in the U.S. The Moreno Valley Freeway on the neighborhood's north side connects residents to Interstate 215, about 6 miles west of the neighborhood. Residents are about 14 miles from downtown Riverside and 21 miles from San Bernardino. Several Riverside Transit Authority bus routes also serve the area, giving locals plenty of public transit options. The Route 31 bus takes riders west to downtown Moreno Valley or east to Beaumont and San Jacinto. Route 20 goes west to Riverside, while Route 41 heads south to Perris.

Drivers in North Moreno Valley don’t have to worry about looking out for deer, but they might want to keep an eye open for friendly burros, a group of wild donkeys that have made Moreno Valley their home. Situated on the northern edge of Moreno Valley, North Moreno Valley runs adjacent to the southern beach of the Poorman Reservoir. This suburban residential neighborhood is located in the beating heart of California’s Inland Empire, a region that is home to over 18,000,000 residents. Originally one of the fastest growing cities in California, Moreno Valley has recently experienced a resurgence in population growth and economic investments. The upcoming Moreno Valley Town Center is a planned commercial development designed to bring a vibrant downtown to this rapidly growing city. Construction on the new project is set to be completed by 2025. Residents no longer have to commute to the greater Los Angeles area to find work, as Moreno Valley has added over 25,000 new jobs in the past 10 years alone. Locals are quick to describe the area as being very family oriented, with a diverse range of different cultures and a large Hispanic population. Rustic Spanish Revival houses line the streets of North Moreno Valley. Sun dried colors and roasted red tile roofs contrast with the abundantly lush greenery of the neighborhood. Large multi-car garages and roof solar panels are a common sight. The median house price is $520,000, significantly below the California median. As community members walk across wide, well-kept sidewalks, they might pause to admire the distinctive Italian Cypress plants that punctuate the landscape. Residents can often hear children playing street basketball in one of the many cul-de-sacs that make up the neighborhood. The rolling hills of the Box Springs Mountains Reserve surround the city and offer home buyers the scenic views that are emblematic of a SoCal neighborhood. Most residents own their homes. The streets are wide and straight, cutting the area into rectangular segments with sharp 90 degree turns. As a densely populated residential area, North Moreno Valley is home to eight different schools and many additional education options exist nearby. Out of the seven different elementary schools in the area, North Ridge Elementary School earns the highest grade from Niche with a B rating. Country Day School is a small, private, K-12 academy that boasts a 2:1 student-teacher ratio. Vista Heights Middle School scores a B-minus and Palm Middle School earns a C-plus. Canyon Springs High School is home to the Cougars, whose sports teams don striking teal and black jerseys. With a B rating from Niche, Canyon Springs High School is known for having graduated four Major League Baseball players. The Cougars of Canyon Springs have a fierce across-town rivalry with Valley View High School. Wearing red, black, and white colors, The Valley View Eagles have also graduated multiple MLB athletes. Families and students flock to watch the rivalry football game take place under the lights on Valley View’s famous bright red turf field. Moreno Valley Mall offers residents large chain retail stores mixed with trendy boutiques. After shopping at A Girl’s Best Friend for in-style cosmetics, shoppers can cool off with a sweet treat from Helados Del Sol frozen fruit ice cream. “There are a lot of attractive shopping options nearby,” says local Realtor Rochelle Martinez, who has sold several houses in the area. “The area is very sought-after and beautiful.” After work, residents run to Birrieria El Tijuanazo to get carne asada tacos topped with grilled pink onions and freshly squeezed lime juice. Chicago Pasta House serves up classic Italian comfort and Punjab Palace is known for its spicy Indian curry. There are also many well-known chain restaurants that routinely serve thousands of workers during lunch break. Stater Bros. Market is a grocery store conveniently located within walking distance of most residents, and local farmers markets offer fresh produce and Mexican-inspired flavors. The City of Moreno Valley hosts career building events, such as practice job interviews and resume building classes. Amazon is the largest employer in town and offers special hiring info sessions for residents with disabilities. The city also hosts the Fun Color Run, a 2-mile run were families get their white T-shirts sprayed with bright paints. “Sunnymead Ranch is a planned community just north of the neighborhood and has a lake that many residents enjoy bringing their family too,” Martinez says. While there are no parks in the Valley Beach neighborhood, Sunnymead park is just south of the area and features a lit baseball diamond.

Among the hillsides of Southern California's Inland Empire, Cloverdale is a small suburban area with rural sensibilities. These days, it’s mostly just recognized as part of Moreno Valley, and geographically tends to blend in with the communities around it. "I haven’t heard the name Cloverdale in a while,” says Katie Aaron, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realtor who has been selling in the area for over 18 years. "That’s more used by people who have lived there for decades.” While it is a multigenerational neighborhood, it’s also great for working commuters. Cloverdale is close to freeways that offer quick trips for workers heading to employers in Riverside or other nearby cities. Despite this proximity, residents feel removed from city life when driving past hilly open fields and horse ranches. Prices that are lower than average for Southern California also make it attractive for first-time homebuyers. Cloverdale's residential landscape is comprised of a mix of older ranch-styles and new construction along winding streets and quiet cul-de-sacs fringed with leafy trees and palms. Some homes feature Spanish-style tile roofing and stucco exteriors. Many houses here have modern amenities including multi-car garages, backyard inground pools and roof-mounted solar panels that take advantage of the California sunshine. Since much of the neighborhood was built in the 1980s, a determining factor for price is whether a home has been remodeled. Average prices tend to hover around $475,000 for a 3- or 4-bedroom single-story home and can get as high as $750,000, especially for a two-story on a large lot. Students living in Cloverdale can attend schools in the Moreno Valley Unified School District. They start out at Cloverdale Elementary and then move on to Palm Middle, which both receive a C-plus on Niche. Valley View High has an overall B rating from Niche, based on academics, teachers and college prep; However, it has an A- in diversity. High schools in the Moreno Valley district take part in the Career Technical Education program, a multiyear program designed to give students real-world skills to prepare them for future careers. The part of State Route 60 that runs through the area is locally known as The Moreno Valley Freeway. Interstate 215 also passes through Moreno Valley, making it popular with commuters. Riverside Transit buses service Cloverdale and the closest Metrolink station is in Riverside. About 2 miles away on Nason Street, there are major retailers like Walmart and Target. In the same plaza, there are fast-food and fast-casual options like Jack in the Box and Chili’s Grill and Bar. Further down Route 60 is Moreno Valley Mall, which, in addition to a plethora of shopping and dining options, also has a movie theater and a branch of the local public library. For grocery shopping, WinCo Foods is close by the mall and open 24/7. The city of Moreno Valley maintains several parks in the area including the Moreno Valley Equestrian Park and Nature Center. There, residents can find a horse area, multi-purpose trails and a dog park. Nearby Sunnymead Park has playsets and four large ball fields perfect for community or recreational league games, as well as picnic and barbeque areas. “If it’s baseball season, the parks are packed,” Aaron says. There are several houses of worship in the neighborhood including Trinity Baptist Church, Crosswinds Evangelical Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Calvary Chapel of Moreno Valley.

At the northern edge of Moreno Valley, Hidden Springs lives up to its name. “Hidden Springs is exactly what it sounds like: a hidden gem in Moreno Valley. Some people don’t even know it’s there,” says Heather Ramirez, a Realtor with Castra Realty, Inc. and neighborhood resident for over ten years. “It has a serene, small-town feel and access to lots of nature. Wild donkeys roam the neighborhood, but it’s just five minutes from a grocery store.” Adjacent to Box Springs Mountain Reserve, this 1987 suburban housing development rests among the semi-rugged landscape of the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountain foothills. Its houses were built around an artificial lake called Poorman’s Reservoir. Hidden Springs is centrally located in the Inland Empire, 3.5 miles from downtown Moreno Valley. The homes in Hidden Springs capture a specific moment in time. The planned community was born in the late 1980s when the area began transitioning from rural to urban, and almost every home was built between 1987 and 1992. Many have Spanish elements like stucco walls and terracotta roof tiles, and solar panels are becoming more common in the area. Oak-shaded homes line together on tidy streets, often ending in cul-de-sacs. There’s also still land available in the extreme northern part of the community for homebuyers wanting larger lots. "Hidden Springs is an established community where residents enjoy great schools without needing a homeowner's association," says Diana Prather, a real estate agent with Re/Max One with over two decades of experience. Homes sell for a median price of $565,000 after 24 days on the market, although the entire price range begins around $550,000 before continuing into the low $900,000s. Children in the neighborhood can attend Niche B-minus-rated Hidden Springs Elementary, B-minus-rated Vista Heights Middle and B-rated Canyon Springs High. Hidden Springs Elementary educates around 600 children yearly, while Vista Heights Middle operates a Global Junior Scholars program to prepare students for high school coursework. Canyon Springs High participates in the International Baccalaureate program, which awards a diploma recognized by universities worldwide. For a local higher education option, Moreno Valley College offers more than 50 associate degrees and professional certifications. Westbluff Park covers five acres with two playgrounds, picnic shelters and barbecues. At the top of the neighborhood, Hidden Springs Park features an ADA-accessible playground and walking path alongside equestrian and multi-purpose trails. In addition to the neighborhood’s many walking paths, there are miles of hiking and biking trails just to the west in the Box Springs Mountain Reserve. Spanning over 3,400 acres, the expansive park is covered in native wild grasses and offers incredible views of the valley and nearby Riverside from the 3,000-foot mountain’s peak. Cupcake & Espresso Bar lets locals wake up to specialty coffees, hot tea and all-day sandwiches. A few doors down, Oishii Sushi & Teriyaki carries a variety of Japanese fare and offers a Sunday brunch with optional bottomless mimosas. Residents are a short drive from a grocery store, like regional powerhouse Stater Bros. Markets. Four miles away, Moreno Valley Mall is the city’s go-to shopping center, with large retailers, restaurants and entertainment establishments. The town also sponsors various community events throughout the year, including an adult egg hunt, movie nights and the MoVal Multicultural & Art Festival. This Saturday art-based event celebrates the rich culture of Moreno Valley with live music performances and traditional dance demonstrations from Filipino and Afro-Caribbean artists. The community is backed into the Box Springs Mountain Reserve, so parts of the rustic northern neighborhood can be a short drive from main roads like Pigeon Pass Road, Heacock Street or Sunnymead Ranch Parkway. Once there, though, the Moreno Valley Freeway is just over two miles away. The neighborhood was designed to be very walkable and has bike lanes installed along the larger roadways. The No. 18 bus line runs through Hidden Springs, which lies 3.5 miles from Heacock Medical Plaza. Ontario International Airport is 25 miles away on California Route 60. Hidden Springs has several Protestant and Catholic churches in and around the neighborhood. It’s also 3.5 miles from the Islamic Development Center and Abraham Islamic Center. Moreno Valley is near the San Jacinto Faultline, one of the most active faults in Southern California. The city also has a risk of wildfires and a lower chance of flooding. To lessen the damage these events might cause, the town restricts building homes too close to the fault lines, ensures all buildings meet construction codes and requires housing developments to create wildfire fuel breaks through landscape management.