Rent to Own Homes in Moreno Valley

To the west, Box Springs Mountain Park is open for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park is another option for hiking and mountain biking just west of the city.

Other attractions in the Moreno Valley area include Perris Auto Speedway, Skydive Perris and Moreno Valley Mall. Located approximately 13 miles from the city of Riverside, Moreno Valley allows residents to enjoy all entertainment venues and job opportunities in this sister city.

All city operations are controlled by the Moreno Valley City Council, but there are multiple commissions and citizen boards populated by local volunteers which help guide city policy. There are often jobs available with the city, and the City Council is responsible for filling those positions.

Buying a Home in Moreno Valley

Moreno Valley, often referred to as MoVal by locals, is one of the newer cities in California. It was incorporated in 1984 by combining multiple smaller communities. The city experienced rapid growth right from the start, and new sections have been added over the years. This has created a city of opposites. You have more established communities with homes that were built prior to the city’s incorporation, and then you have the newer regions with homes built in more recent years. For home buyers, it’s important to keep in mind that the newer sections of the city tend to have lower crime rates, but the more established communities are often more affordable.

Popular Neighborhoods in Moreno Valley

The eastern side of Moreno Valley contains the most desirable neighborhoods, especially around Moreno Beach. Many neighborhoods in the southeast are safe and family-friendly, but you’ll find some affordable neighborhoods with nice homes in the northeast as well. If you want a home with some acreage so that your neighbors aren’t too close to your property, go east of Lasselle and look past Redlands Boulevard. That area offers a more rural environment.

Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes

Rent-to-own contracts are different than your traditional mortgage contract because they don’t force you to present your down payment, pay closing costs and commit to a purchase contract right away. You do get to move into the home initially, but you start out as a renter. The terms of the agreement will allow you to take out a loan and purchase the property before a future date, but you typically have at least a year to make the purchase. If you’re dreaming of buying your own home but need to save more money or clean up your credit, this type of agreement could work in your favor.

Cost of Living in Moreno Valley

Housing expenses in Moreno Valley are approximately 20 percent higher than the national average, but they’re affordable when compared to the California average. California cities are known for doubling or tripling national averages when it comes to home prices, but Moreno Valley is more than 50 percent lower than the state average for housing. All other expenses are approximately 10 percent higher than the national average, making this one of the most affordable places to live in California today.

Summary

Moreno Valley is one of the most affordable places to live in California, and it’s home to some nice neighborhoods with family-friendly amenities. The city is also surrounded by parks and lakes, so you can spend your free time hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and horseback riding from any section of the city. Located just 13 miles from Riverside, residents can easily enjoy the entertainment venues in this sister city.