Now a bustling area of the California desert, replete with luxury hotels and spas, the Palm Springs area was once a stagecoach stop for travelers setting out from Los Angeles en route to Mexico.
Garnet is technically a census-designated place, commonly called a CDP, in Riverside County. While it doesn't offer much glamour, it may just tempt you in with a low cost of living and the proximity to Palm Springs. With about half of all residents commuting at least a half-hour to work, you might even consider this area a bedroom community. The median age of homes in Garnet is relatively young -- many were constructed in the 1990s. While most residents choose to own, you may still be able to snag a rental in this CDP if you put your research hat on and exercise a little patience.
Moving to Garnet
The cost of living in Garnet is nothing near what you would pay to reside in Los Angeles, San Diego or other large Southern California cities. So, if you've been worrying about notorious high rents in California, you can stop sweating right about now. In fact, you can even rent a single-family home or other spacious rental properties at a reasonable rate. Apts for rent in Garnet are not as common as homes, so unless you start looking very early, be prepared to shack up in a privately owned residence. Premier apartments or city apartments are not in high supply right in Garnet, however, if you expand your search to include neighboring cities you are sure to have some luck.
What does it take to snag one of the rare rentals here? Just what you might expect -- proof of ID, income, and enough money to cover a rental deposit. If you're new to the area and don't yet have work, if you can provide bank statements showing enough money to cover several months' rent, you may be able to talk your way into a lease, but we're not promising anything.
Neighborhoods
We know we mentioned it, but it does bear repeating -- Garnet is a CDP, which, because of its small size, has no distinct neighborhoods. Still, you can still enjoy some diversity in the living arrangements offered in this small region. Many hotels and spas sit to the south of Garnet and Joshua Tree National Park is to the north. It makes sense, then that you would choose a home for rent that offers an address closest to the attraction that interests you most.
Living near I-10 will allow you to take off toward either Los Angeles or Phoenix quite swiftly, but be prepared to tolerate the sounds associated with a highway as well as more traffic if you live in these areas. From any street, you are likely to enjoy a view of Mt. San Jacinto.
Living in Garnet
Since Garnet is such a small bedroom community, you will likely look to friendly neighbors such as Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, and Coachella Valley to offer entertainment. Venues such as Knott's Soak City Palm Springs, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, and the renown Coachella Music Festival will all be at your fingertips if you live in Garnet.
This town doesn't have a huge walkability factor, but you will find the Palm Springs Amtrak station to be convenient, and the Palm Springs Airport is also within a short distance. So, while a car is a good investment for short trips, when it is time for your next long distance adventure you have more than one transportation option.
Did we forget anything? Oh, just one last tidbit before we let you go. The California desert gets hot in the summer time -- as in, temperatures well above 100 degrees. So pack your cut-offs and tank tops!