Inside Apple Valley

In Rachel Byrd’s article “The Life of a Commuter,” she writes about the number of residents who leave the Victor Valley for work and the effect it has on family life. She found county research that states: Adelanto is home to the most commuters, with 45 percent of working residents commuting. In Hesperia, 43 percent of the workforce commutes, in Victorville 40 percent, and in Apple Valley 28 percent.  

While people choose to commute for a variety of reasons, it seems reasonable to assume most have determined a better job opportunity awaits them somewhere other than where they live. With Apple Valley holding on to 12 to 17 percent more of it’s workforce than other local cities, the town must be doing something right.  

It must be said that Apple Valley residents would likely face the longest commute from home down the hill, which may contribute a bit to this statistic. But residents couldn’t be staying around to work locally if there wasn’t a job market to support them. 

Even with the recent growth in commercial development, I’ve read comments to past stories expressing concern over the lack of high-paying, professional job opportunities in AV. And so I wonder, does the lower number of commuters mean AV residents are taking lower-paying jobs? 

But the latest U.S. Census data shows that AV residents have an average household income nestled comfortably between that of neighboring Hesperia and Victorville.  

Why does it even matter how many people commute? One reason is what some refer to as the “brain drain,” where talented, commuting professionals take needed skills, growth and smarts away from their hometown economy. There have also been several studies about how a long commute can have a detrimental effect on health and family life, particularly if the drive involves fighting traffic.  

I’m a commuter myself, though fortunately my drive doesn’t involve much if any traffic. I actually enjoy the 35 to 40 minutes to blast my music and be alone with my thoughts. The cell phone has intruded on this a bit, but it’s also a good chance to catch up with family and friends. 

So to what can Apple Valley attribute its low commuter statistic? Is this cause to celebrate, or an issue of concern over the types of jobs residents are taking? Has commuting impacted your life at all? I welcome your comments and insight…   

Welcome to my blog, “Inside Apple Valley.”

My name is Brooke Edwards, and I joined the staff of the Daily Press nearly three months ago. If you’ve been reading the paper regularly, you may have noticed that one of the main beats I cover is the Town of Apple Valley.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yes, it’s a BROAD TOPIC.

That’s where this blog will come in handy. I hope to open up a dialogue with members of the community who take an interest in issues beyond what can make it into the daily paper. I know there are so many of you who know this town far better than I yet do, and I want to hear from you.

Though I have roots locally, I am relatively new to the area. I was born at St. Mary’s and grew up in Big Bear. I got my bachelor’s degree in English, my teaching credential and a Masters in Education from California Baptist University. After teaching high school for four years at Rubidoux High School, I decided to pursue a career in one of the things I was teaching: journalism. And so I spent the last year and a half living in New York City, completing my masters at NYU.

It’s been exciting to return and see the explosion in retail that has happened in Apple Valley. I am anxious to watch this growth continue, as the town prepares to open its second movie theater, Best Buy and more.

However, it has been in getting to know the people of this community that I have found my inspiration. I look forward to getting to know many of you better, through this blog and through future stories.

If you have a question for me or would like to suggest a future topic for this discussion, please feel free to either post it here as a comment or e-mail me at  bedwards at vvdailypress.com with “blog” in the subject line.

In the meantime, check back soon for my first posting and take care.