I here this question often from buyers in the Southern California area that are thinking about a primary residence or a second home in the mountains. They aren't sure if they should shop for a home in the Big Bear area, the Lake Arrowhead area, Idyllwild, Wrightwood, or Mammoth area.

It really depends on what you want. I am not an expert on any of the areas outside of Big Bear, and I don't feel that I can be a source of information on those other locations. If you want to buy a second home in one of the locations other than Big Bear, I would refer you to an agent that specializes in that particular location.  

Big Bear is the area that I specialize in and I stick to what I know. As an 18 year resident of Big Bear, I feel good about knowing the area well. I am passionate about Real Estate and the town that I live in. Real Estate is local and I recommend you always work with a Realtor that has local knowledge.

There are many different areas within the Big Bear Valley. Starting in the West end and moving East we have: Big Bear Lake (West, Central, and East), Fawnskin, Moonridge, Fox Farm, Bear Loop, Whispering Forest, Big Bear City, Peter Pan, North Shore East, Poet's Corner, Forest Springs, Maple Hill, Valley View Estates, Sugarloaf, Shay Meadows, Shy Valley Ranch, Meadowbrook Estates, Baldwin Lake, Erwin Lake, and Lake Williams 

Some of the things that Big Bear offers are not available at the other locations. We have 2 world class ski resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. We have a public use lake that has fishing, boating, water-skiing and wake-boarding, para-sailing, and an observatory. Big Bear Village is a quaint shopping area. We have two large grocery stores, numerous pharmacies, restaurants, a hospital, library, and churches of most denominations. 

Big Bear is a small town with small town values. People in Big Bear help each other and I have found this to be a very giving community to live in. My wife and I have raised our 4 daughters in Big Bear and I take my hat off to the teachers and administrators of the Bear Valley School District. I enjoy the fact that many of the people I see daily know me personally and care about my family and our well being. These are just some of the benefits of living in a small town.

Big Bear has four seasons of fun. We enjoy the ski resorts, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing in the winter. Spring is a combination of activities with the ski resorts open until mid April (most years) and the lake ramps opening in mid April. Spring break is enjoyed by many families and groups. Hiking and biking kick off in the spring and carry through the summer season. Summer is beautiful in Big Bear with average daytime temps in the 70's and 80's. Biking, Hiking, Boating, Motorcycling, and relaxing are what Big Bear is all about in the Summer months. Fall brings cool breezes and the turning of the trees. Most summer activities can be continued into the fall, but morning temperatures will drop to the low 40's and sometimes high 30's when we get close to October.  

If your looking at access, Big Bear has three routes to choose from. Route 330 to the 18 through Running Springs is the most traveled route. Hi-way 38 from the Redlands / Yuciapa area is a favorite with many locals and second home owners because the road is not as winding as the 330/18  and it is the road less traveled. If you are coming from the Las Vegas, Laughlin or Colorado River areas you will want to take the 18 from the Lucerne Valley. Big Bear is less than 150 miles from most Southern California communities and often the commute time to your second home will be less than a couple hours.  

Big Bear has a great diversity in housing prices. We have small cabins and homes that start around $150,000 and prices for larger homes and lakefronts will go as high as $3,500,000. I am sure we have a home that will fit your budget.

Give me a call if you would like to discuss Big Bear Real Estate, or know someone that is looking to buy or sell Real Estate in the Big Bear area.

Steve Hirschler

Associate, The Tim Wood Group

Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery

42153 Big Bear Blvd.

P.O. BOX 6820

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

steve@bigbeargallery.com

909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889

Fax 909 866-3531

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com/