[claschober]

Growing up on So. California there are definetly cities I would live in and not want to live in. Right now alot of where you live down here depends on the housing market. While we are in a cheaper area to live (Inland Empire), we have all the amenities that Orange County people have. Disneyland is 30 minutes away, the beach 45 minutes, and the mountains less than an hour...it's just my house cost 100,000 less and is a 20 minute drive longer. I would also strongly consider the schools as a deciding factor.

I second that Claremont and some of the surrounding cities around Claremont have some nice downtowns and neighborhoods. I teach in Glendora and love the downtown, and their schools are really good. It's close enough to LA that you can go there if need be and yet it still gives you that smaller town feel.

Best of luck in your search!