And a Closer Look at This Lovely Landscape
So you’ve landed a job at Eisenhower Health! First and foremost, let us say congratulations…not just on the new gig but also on moving to a place that is breathtakingly beautiful. As this article from palmspringslife.com notes, “You’d be hard-pressed to find a region whose residents use the word ‘paradise’ more often as those of the Coachella Valley do when they describe their towns.” With 350 days of sunshine a year and temperatures that rarely, if ever, dip below 50 degrees, you can get rid of those heavy coats.
On top of that, you’ve got a perfectly wide-open panorama, premier shopping, endless spas, world-class concert venues, boutique hotels and resorts, and stunning Joshua Tree National Park at its southern border. Of course, you’ve heard about the world-famous Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, as its lineup is often less famous than its star-studded attendees. In short, the nine cities that make up the Coachella Valley have it all.
There are plenty of things you need to know about the area, and moving in general, that will make your impending relocation go off without a hitch, and we’ve shared them below.
Resources for Your Relocation
We might as well start with the basics and, when you’ve just moved, this typically involves setting up water, gas and electric, your mail, schools, cable, and waste management. We have found this link to be a helpful resource to use for your initial moving checklist when relocating to the Coachella Valley.
Real Estate
Perhaps you’ve decided to rent as you get the lay of the land. The median rent price in the Coachella Valley is $1,800 per month. If you’re ready to plant roots, you’ll want to know that the median home price is $257k, which is surprisingly low compared to the entire state of California. Of course, there are plenty of affluent areas in the Coachella Valley that can have a higher price tag.
Get to Know Others
Moving to a new area can be intimidating, especially if you don’t already have friends or relatives in the area. If you’re in this situation and would prefer to have a bit of a social circle before moving, you might consider trying a site like MeetUp.com to find others who enjoy the same hobbies and activities as you do.
Prepare for the Climate
If you’re moving from another arid climate, you should be good to go. However, if you’re coming from a cold-weather climate, the desert heat might take a bit to get used to. It routinely rises above 100 degrees in the summer but, on a positive note, it rarely dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit…like, ever. There are plenty of ways to survive and even thrive during the summer heat, especially once you’ve been in the area for a while. Plus—depending on where you are in the valley—you are typically only a couple hours away from the more temperate climates in LA, San Diego, and Big Bear for those weekend jaunts.
Decide Your Initial Tourist Spots
Hopefully you’ll have an opportunity to play tourist in your new hometown before starting your new gig, especially since there is no shortage of things to do in this anything-but-sleepy desert. Unless it’s smack dab in the middle of the summer, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the 100 hiking trails, 110 golf courses, tennis courts, and a plethora of natural canyons.
Perhaps you’ve earned some spa time after the rigors of moving. Fortunately, there are world-class spas at the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage, The Spa at Marriott’s Desert Springs, The Spa at the Andreas in Palm Springs, and many more.
If you decide to beat the heat while testing Lady Luck, head to casinos Augustine Casino and Spotlight 29 in Coachella as well as the Agua Caliente Resort Casino in Rancho Mirage.
You might not think shopping when you think of the desert, but Coachella Valley is a hub for shopaholics from around the world. While there are quite a few high-end options such as The Shops On El Paseo (the “Rodeo Drive” of Palm Desert) and The River at Rancho Mirage, there are also plenty of stores to get the staples you’ll need once you arrive. You can also find a plethora of consignment shops and antique stores that are great for decorating your new abode.
Where to Dine and Dance
We’d need a whole separate article to cover the culinary and nightlife scene in the Coachella Valley, but rest assured the options for both of these things are seemingly endless. Whether you go casual at Tony’s Burgers in Cathedral City, satisfy your sweet tooth at Tutti Frutti in Palm Springs, or experience life the way the original Rat Pack did at the Purple Supper Club, you will not be disappointed. For nightlife, you can’t beat the people-watching at The Nest, the dancing at Costas in the JW Marriott, or getting festive at the Bootlegger Tiki.
Transportation
The walk scores for La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs are somewhat low but Coachella is a fairable bikeable city. For the most part, Coachella Valley rates as a car-dependent area, although the SunLine Transit Agency is known for its reliability. You won’t have to worry about waiting in the heat either, as they have cooling centers.
Family Living in Coachella Valley
Many people think the desert is a place that’s primed for retirement but the Coachella Valley has a thriving economy and is a wonderful place to raise a family. Niche is a website that rates an area’s family-friendliness, and it ranks Indian Wells, Bermuda Dunes, and Palm Desert as the top three areas in the Coachella Valley based on school ratings, safety, cost of living, etc.
The Coachella Valley is so much more than its arid climate, and we hope that this plan helps you in your move to this stunning and happening area. Or if you’re in healthcare and considering moving your career and have had your eye on this area for a while but have no job lined up, maybe it’s time to peruse our exciting openings.
Originally posted on 22/8/2019