Popular for its warm climate, proximity to major attractions, and affordable home prices, Southern California’s Inland Empire is on many homebuyers’ radar. This region, located east of Los Angeles and just north-east of San Diego, encompasses more than 27,000 square miles of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, with a population of 4 million people, and growing.
The Inland Empire is a short drive to the exciting attractions of both Los Angeles and San Diego, and the stunning beaches of the Pacific Coast, as well as the nightlife, resorts and casinos of Palm Springs. Boasting a vast selection of affordable 55+ communities, the Inland Empire is a fantastic choice for those who want the best of SoCal living without the steep price tag. Keep reading to find the best lowest-priced communities in the region.
Banning Estates – Banning
Low $200s – Mid $200s
Offering cozy and affordable manufactured homes, Banning Estates is an established 55+ community nestled in the peaceful San Gorgonio Pass. This friendly community is comprised of 199 manufactured homes built by Pulliam Properties.
The home models range from 864 to 1,680 square feet with two to three bedrooms, one to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a one- or two-car garage. Homeowners enjoy small, low-maintenance yards, and many enjoy scenic views of the nearby Mt. San Gorgonio and Mt. San Jacinto ranges. Buyers here pay a reasonable annual homeowners’ association (HOA) fee, which covers maintenance of the community grounds and common areas.
Banning Estates offers residents plenty of opportunities for leisure and fun, with well-kept amenities such as a clubhouse, a library, a bingo hall, gym, and poker and pool tables. The amenities continue with a heated outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa, shuffleboard, tennis and pickleball courts. Nearby, shopping, dining, and country clubs can all be found within a small radius outside the community.
Request more information on Banning Estates here.
Jess Ranch – Apple Valley
Low $100s – Low $300s
This sprawling active adult community has a lot to offer buyers when it comes to selection and price. With affordable homes in condo, attached, and single-family floor-plans, Jess Ranch has a house to appeal to every type of 55+ buyer. This gated community is also big on amenities and social activities, so residents here enjoy a jam-packed social calendar, along with a host of leisure options.
Some of these amenities include a clubhouse for relaxing or social gatherings, an outdoor pool, shuffleboard courts, and more. Outside of the community, residents will find restaurants, a theater, shopping, medical facilities, and banks less than a mile away.
In Apple Valley, there are plenty of diversions to be found, including festivals, concerts, farmer’s markets, local flea markets, and craft fairs. The California Route 66 Museum, Victory Valley Museum, and Art Gallery are all great ways to spend those hot desert afternoons indoors. For the outdoorsy type, there are dozens of trails and walkways nearby to enjoy the stunning desert flora and fauna.
Request more information on Jess Ranch here.
Panorama Village – Hemet
Low $200s – Low $300s
Panorama Village is a 501-single-family-home community with longstanding roots in Hemet, California. This vibrant community was established in 1962, with homes built by Walter and Calland. These comfortable homes offer open layouts and range from 912 to 2,371 square feet. These floor plans have two or three bedrooms, two or three bathrooms, and attached one or two-car garages. Many homes feature tranquil backyards.
An HOA maintains all common grounds, so residents here have more free time to enjoy the rich lineup of amenities at Panorama Village. These include a clubhouse, exercise room, indoor whirlpool spa, computer lab, library and catering kitchen, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool spa, and patio. There are shuffleboard courts and a nine-hole executive golf course to enjoy, as well as a putting green onsite.
The community also offers an R.V. parking facility for residents’ use. This serene community boasts plenty of paved paths for biking or strolling, and residents enjoy the serenity of the nearby parks, ponds and green space. Diamond Valley Lake is just a short drive away, offering boating and fishing opportunities.
Request more information on Panorama Village here.
Highland Springs Country Club – Cherry Valley
Low $200s – Mid $300s
Golfers will appreciate Highland Springs Country Club, where they can both live and play affordably, on their own private community course in this gated neighborhood. Here, there are 289 single family homes situated amongst the rolling hills of Cherry Valley, California. At Highland Springs, players enjoy a beautiful 9-hole golf course, well-maintained putting green and a driving range all while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding San Gorgonio Mountains.
When residents aren’t enjoying the stellar amenities, including the 7,200 square-foot clubhouse, they can rest comfortably in spacious single family homes with open floor plans. Featuring 900 to over 1,600 square feet, these homes offer one to three bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and attached one- or two-car garages.
Request more information on Highland Springs Country Club here.
Sun City Apple Valley – Apple Valley
Mid $200s – Mid $700s
Another Apple Valley gem, Sun City Apple Valley boasts plenty of options when it comes to floor plans and homes prices, so buyers are sure to find a single-family home that suits their specific needs. This sprawling, gated community welcomes buyers 55+ and is made up of 1,700 single-family homes in twenty different floor plans. Designed by celebrated home builders Del Webb, these homes were built in 2004 and feature two or three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and attached two- or two-and-a-half-car garages.
Whether buyers prefer peaceful relaxation, or a busy, fun-filled day, Sun City Apple Valley boasts amenities and activities to suit both introverts and extroverts. A full-time activities coordinator ensures a chock-full social calendar filled with parties, events, outings, and day trips. There are over 40 different clubs and interest groups to join, and not one but two clubhouses to serve as social hubs for residents to enjoy, among many other stellar indoor and outdoor amenities.
Request more information on Sun City Apple Valley here.
