What happens when you think of the words: Retirement, Vacation Home, Leisure, Fun and Relocation? For many, these words are synonymous with moving to the beautiful Palm Springs California Desert, known as the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs represents only one of the cities in the desert. There are a total of nine cities which form the Coachella Valley. The other cities which make up this area are: Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella. Each with its own personality!
To this day, many still refer to the desert as Palm Springs because it’s been known worldwide as “The Land of the Stars and Presidents.” Many streets are named after Presidents, Movie Stars, Singers and Dancers. It is not uncommon to see celebrities enjoying a cup of coffee, a meal, or shopping in the desert with their friends and families. The Coachella Valley has also greatly benefited by their generosity.
Fund raising events, celebrity golf tournaments, and gala affairs contribute handsomely to many of the non-profit organizations in the Valley. A few of these are: The Betty Ford Treatment Center for alcohol and drug abuse, which has helped many who could not afford treatment on their own; the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center for Abused Kids which has never turned away a child because they could not afford counseling; the Desert Aids Project which has provided medicine, counseling and shelter to those in need; and Shelter from The Storm which has provided shelter and counseling to abused mothers and their children over the years. All of this is because of the generosity of the affluent who live in this area and give back to this area as well. Walter Annenberg has been one of the largest contributors, and his contribution to this area has help to make this one of the best areas in the country for medical attention.
In 1995 there were approximately 200,000 people living in this land of Paradise. In 2006 the population had grown to over 330,00, and it is expected to double that figure by 2010. One of the attractions to the desert, in addition to enjoying summer all winter long, is the deserts proximity to other areas.
Residents and visitors can be skiing in just 1.5 hours from the desert floor in the Big Bear Mountains. Or they can visit Lake Arrowhead, a beautiful village, oftentimes referred as “The Alps of Southern California,” which is nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains. The beautiful Pacific Ocean and its many well-known towns that hug the coastal line are only a two hour drive from the desert. Las Vegas and Phoenix are also a four hour drive from the desert.
The desert offers “Big City” amenities in a “Small City” atmosphere. Many of those who have moved to this “land of paradise,” have moved here to escape the smog and the traffic which is so much a part of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Many “snowbirds,” from all over the United States, Canada and Europe have also discovered the desert, and they make this their “winter home.” In spite of the population doubling at this time, the cities and the County of Riverside have worked diligently to be a “step ahead” of the infrastructure, to ensure residents of ample roads and highways, so as not to create the traffic jams so prevalent in other areas of California.
Population Increase in 2006 as compared to 2000:
- Cathedral City 50,632 increased by 18.7%
- Coachella 30,764 increased by 35.4%
- Desert Hot Springs 19,386 increased by 16.9%
- Indian Wells 4,781 increased by 25.3%
- Indio 66,118 increased by 34.6%
- La Quinta 35,145 increased by 52.5%
- Palm Desert 49,280 increased by 19.7%
- Palm Springs 45,731 increased by 6.8%
- Rancho Mirage 16,416 increased by 23.0%
A most exciting recent addition to the Valley is the new California State University, San Bernardino-located centrally on the Palm Desert campus, and the University of California, Riverside’s Richard J. Heckmann International Center for Entrepreneurial Management’s campus. College students, as well as adults, have only a few miles to travel to meet many of their educational needs. Due to these extensions, many businesses are now flocking to this area as well.
There is an abundance of activities to keep you busy and to hold your interest in the desert. As of 2006, there were 121 golf courses in the desert, and more to come. Tennis and hiking are also popular sports in this area. If you like shopping, some of the most well known stores, elite boutiques and discount stores are located throughout the Valley. Point of interest are the Palm Springs Air Museum, the Palm Springs Children’s Hands On Museum and the Palm Springs Desert Museum, to name a few. The Living Desert is also a great area to visit. Or you may be tempted to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the San Jacinto mountains. If Hot Air Ballooning excites you, that’s available as well. If you enjoy gaming, there are five near-by casinos, and more to in the “planning stage.” You can easily find these activities and more at www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com
To learn more about this great area, I encourage you to visit www.MovingToPalmSprings.com where you can read about the rich history of the Coachella Valley, to search the local Multiple Listing Service for housing to meet your needs, and to find out “what’s happening” in this unique Valley. You’ll also be able to see maps of the area, temperatures, find out where to golf, play tennis or visit the many spas in this area. Perhaps you, too, will be able to Enjoy Summer All Winter Long!
Contact Nancy Hankin for more information. Nancy@NancyHankin.com www.PalmSpringsHomesandEstates.com
