You can still see the original station at the Orange Empire Railroad Museum in nearby Perris, the largest railroad museum of its kind.
Mead Valley is a city located within (you guessed it) Mead Valley, within the Temescal Mountains, with Los Angeles being a hazy 56 miles northwest. Mead Valley is a growing unincorporated neighborhood of Perris that's developed fairly recently due to the boom in railroad building by the coming of the California Southern Railroad, connecting Barstow and San Diego. Due to a land title dispute between the residents and the railroad, many of the citizens moved two miles north from the original depot built at Pinacate Station.
Moving to Mead Valley
The Cost: Median rental rates in the Mead Valley area is 4.3 percent less than the California average and 43.9 percent greater than the National average.
When to Look: Rental apartments in the town of Mead Valley itself are rare. If you find one you like, jump on it. You may want the help of a real estate rental expert to give you an edge. Start looking about four to six weeks out from your proposed move-in date for places for rent. You could find something sooner, but if you don't, you might find yourself looking at all that great open space and wishing there were more apartment buildings on it.
What You Need: Bring a copy of your credit score, letter verifying employment and salary and your last pay stub. When it gets serious, you'll need cash in the form of a cashier's or bank check. Prepare for first month's rent and a security deposit. If you are bringing a furry or feathered friend along, there may also be a one-time pet deposit. A letter from a former landlord who really liked your pet may be the deal clincher.
Where Should I Look?
Mead Valley's Livability score is 72 due to the stable region and the lower cost of living, making it a highly sought-after place to live. Check out the areas listed below to figure out where you want to live in this city.
Good Hope: To the west of Mead Valley is a very popular and stable community. In this area, you'll find Good Hope Elementary school along with some great restaurants such as Family Basket Restaurant, Tarascos Restaurant and Popeye's.
Lake Mathews: Although Lake Matthews is a little further out, many of the homes and apartments are newer in this area. The Lake Mathews Airport is in this neighborhood, making it easy for you to get in and out of the city when you want.
Life in the City
Mead Valley is a conundrum in fast-paced Southern California. In this small town, the community pulls together to celebrate the seasons with pancake breakfasts and community oriented events such as the Mead Valley Community Clean-up, Mead Valley Tire Collection Day and Mead Valley Health and Safety Fair. They all happen at the Community Center.
Mead Valley takes great pride in its new library and quirky historical sites like the Haunted River. The area is known for old abandoned ghost towns. The historical museum for the Perris/Mead Valley area is in Perris, less than three miles away, along with regional shopping.
There's not much choice in Mead Valley, so look in Perris to ease your appetite. Harry's Caf on the Ramona Expressway features delicious Breakfast Burritos big enough to share. A few feet away, Valentino's has all bets covered with pizza, barbecue and a sports bar. Big-screen TVs and perfect wings add to the eclectic offerings of this eatery.
Go west young man -- or woman -- into the Temescal Mountains surrounding Mead Valley and Perris. Hiking is a weekend way of life. Nearby Lake Perris is a star in the California State Park system for recreation activities on the water and off. Fishing, camping and boating options abound here.
Mead Valley is definitely a car-dependent place for just about everything -- the Walk Score is a sad 5. Even in the center of town, you'll need that car to get from place to place. Buses are pretty much nonexistent, and run infrequently through the area of Mead Valley. However, only 1 percent of residents rely on it, so this is a great place for people who like to get behind the wheel! Cajalco Expressway is the major route through the valley, connecting Mead Valley to Perris and points further west.
The closest Amtrak is two miles out of town. The bigger Ontario International Airport is about 28 miles northwest of Mead Valley.