Ten Reasons Palm Springs is a Great Place to Live

October 23, 2020 Russell Hill

As some forward-thinking people have already figured out, either Palm Springs and or one of it’s neighboring desert cities to the East, provides an excellent spot to call home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the top reasons why:

More Space: For a number of years, Land in the Coachella Valley has not been as scare or as expensive as in urban and coastal areas like LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, or New York, to name a few. As a result, there has been a pattern of home development here – for both single family residences and attached dwelling units – that allows for more space between homes, larger yards, larger common areas, more open space in neighborhoods, and more generously sized homes, than in places where land has been more scarce and more precious. As consequence, the housing stock here affords spaciousness (i.e. relatively large square footages, multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, bonus rooms, and patios which double as “outdoor rooms”), to accommodate families who need to work from home, or to facilitate distance learning alternatives for their children, or that otherwise need buffer zones. Many homes here also boast of large yards, with pools and spas for some soothing R&R. As people often say, sometimes you just need a little space!
The Great Outdoors: With the park-like built environment that we have here (partly the result of the home development pattern described in the paragraph above), the relatively flat topography of the valley floor, wide boulevards and streets, lots of open and green space, a striking desert landscape, and the amazingly beautiful panorama of mountains that serve as our backdrop, the Greater Palm Springs Area is a paradise for hiking, tennis, swimming, walking (including dog walking), running, biking, gardening, and many other outdoor activities – all of which have taken on even greater importance during this pandemic.
Easy Shopping: Anyone who has ever had to shop for groceries in San Francisco or Los Angeles knows that, by comparison, shopping for groceries and other essentials here, is a veritable piece of cake! Drive right up, easy parking, no lines, socially distant fellow shoppers, combined with high quality produce, groceries and other and merchandise, at an abundant number of grocery and essential product stores, makes shopping a breeze. This is so important, since much of our existence now depends on having a well-stocked home.
Small Town Feel With Big Town Amenities: Over the years, Palm Springs and several of the other desert cities have strived to maintain the feel of a “village” in their business districts, yet provide services and amenities that one would normally only find in much more populous urban or suburban areas. Those efforts have been tremendously successful. Where else do you find the vibrant, friendly, human scale city centers, that beckon people to stroll, dine, drink, sip coffee or simply pause on a bench to think and reflect. At the same time, sophisticated medical systems like Eisenhower, and a network of other professional service providers, are available to the residents here.
Weather Befitting Shorts, T-Shirts, Flip Flops, and Out Door Dining: If anything, COVID-19 has made us appreciate the important things in life, like being comfortable and at ease. With its sunny days, mild winters, and balmy fall and spring evenings, the climate here makes for a casual and comfy lifestyle. The climate here also creates ample opportunities for outdoor dining, whether at home or at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the valley that are bending over backwards to expand patio dining, and provide safe havens for their diners and workers.
Proximity to LA, San Diego, and the Coast: The title for this item pretty much says it all. For folks with a first or second home in LA, San Diego, the Coast and places in between, or for full-time residents of the desert needing a “City Fix” or a brief retreat to the Coast, it’s just a relatively short drive to get from here to there and vice versa. This is another feature that makes it attractive for people to relocate to the Greater Palm Springs area during COVID-19.
PSP Airport Provides Easy Access to More Distant Places: PSP is easy, convenient and friendly (not big, not confusing- and you can easily drop off or pick up passengers curbside near the front door of PSP). Unlike most airports which are many miles outside of the cities they serve, PSP is just a couple of minutes from downtown Palm Springs, and also very close to the neighboring desert cities. For those who can now – due to COVID-19 – work from home, but may need to occasionally travel to a distant site for work, PSP can make that travel much easier than going to Ontario or LAX to catch a flight. Also recall that Southwest Airlines will be serving PSP in the near term, which will create new opportunities and conveniences for those traveling in and out of PSP for work or business.
Easy Escape to a Different Eco-system: Tired of the desert? Need a quick change of scenery to immerse your senses after being housebound during the pandemic? Whether by a Tram ride that takes you up to an altitude of 8,000 feet, or a drive to Idyllwild, you can escape to the mountains in less than an hour and experience a totally different ecosystem. Or, head to nearby Joshua Tree National Park for knock-out scenery! What a quick, easy way to sooth your senses.
World Class Art and Architecture: The Coachella Valley is a treasure trove of notable art and architecture, ranging from the mid-century modern homes that have made Palm Springs and neighboring cities famous, to the Palm Springs Art Museum, which is now planning its re-opening this fall after being closed due to COVID-19. And, there is no shortage of private art galleries in Palm Springs and the rest of the valley with works for sale, made to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. In these tough times, experiencing the beauty of fine art and exquisite architecture, like the Kaufman house, can prove to be very healing and a boost to the body and soul.
The People: Perhaps the best thing about living in Palm Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley is the people. Whether it be neighbors, people you barely know, or complete strangers, residents here take the time and effort to wave and say hi, as you walk down the street or pass in other settings. There is a sense of friendliness and community here that you don’t find in other places. During these trying times, friendly faces (masks or not) are invaluable.