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Cabazon- Is it a City or Not?

By Kathy McGraw

Real Estate Broker/Owner with CELLing Realty CalBRE #01445865

September 16, 2008 05:19 AM

Cabazon, CA is a small unincorporated area in Riverside County between Banning and Palm Springs. Cabazon used to be a City (1955-1972) but they voted to unincorporate. Currently Cabazon is the only Community/Town to give up being a City in Riverside County. Apparently the citizens of Cabazon all 2,000 of them, were tired of the Politics, and Scandals so voted to Unincorporate back in 1972. Well, that was then and this is now.

Cabazon on route 99

In 1972 Cabazon didn't have a lot going for it. Nothing in the area had a lot going for it. Development was slow to come to the area, and the ones that tried got voted out. Several years ago, after Cabazon had voted not to be a City anymore Banning voted against having the Outlet Malls, and so they built them on land that is was in the unicorprorated area of Cabazon.

Tax Dollars that would have gone to Banning, and now would have gone to Cabazon have to go to the County because Cabazon isn't a City. The County has, in all due respect given a lot of money back to Cabazon in the form of Infrastructure and Renovations.

Today, Cabazon is in the process of RE-applying for Citihood. Now I wonder if having all the Development from the Morongo Reservation has anything to do with that? In addition to the new Casino that draws thousands of people to the area, you have The Arrowhead Bottling Plant, the Outlets, a new Fire station, Great Community Center and Park, and a New Elementary School . All of these have changed Cabazon, and the desire of people to buy a home in Cabazon. Families make up a Community.

Cabazon Ca Elementary School

Owning your own home is one of the biggest benefits to civic pride. Cabazon has many new homes, and many new families; a different community then it was in 1972. So, if you are one of the citizens of Cabazon would you want to be a City? There's always good and bad to every decision, but this one can only benefit the citizens of Cabazon in the long run. They are currently benefitting in the short-run.

By: Kathy McGraw CELLing Realty in Riverside County

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Neal Bloom

Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL

Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

We have a similar area in Davie or is it Southwest Ranches...I'm not sure but they changed it to the unincorporated town of South West Ranches

Sep 16, 2008 08:20 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy, I don't think that I have ever heard of a city/town giving up that status and becoming part of another city or town. Let us know if Cabazon is successful in becoming its own city again.

Sep 16, 2008 11:26 AM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Kathy, so nice of you to stop by my blog....I am joining your So Cal Pass group today. Kept forgetting. I've looked at the blogs and members and I like them. I will send over a post and introduce myself when I think of something clever to say. I am so impressed with all of the creative writers here on AR. I read something on another real estate site knocking AR because of the points. I am trying to get in the top two spot in Temecula. I know I have a long way to go regarding blogging compared to yourself and some of the others that take it very seriously. So if you want to give me any pointers I am all ears.....

Sep 16, 2008 12:03 PM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

I forgot to say something about Cabazon. Kind of missed the politically correct comment. Actually approximately 4 years ago I was trying to get my husband to invest in vacant land in Cabazon. He thought Victorville was better. But I argued that Cabazon was less expensive and had more potential for appreciation BECAUSE OF THE CASINO!!! I'll bet I was right I usually am!!!

Sep 16, 2008 12:07 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Kathy, It sure sounds like it's on it's way to becoming it's own city. I think with the building that is going on and the Casino many people would love it. Are you allowed on the Reservation? I KNOW I would love that :)

Sep 16, 2008 02:44 PM

Lynda Eisenmann

Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA

Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Kathy,

Very interesting, I had no idea. I don't think I've ever heard of a city voting to unincorporate??? Do you think it will pass again?

Sep 16, 2008 04:16 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I could certainly understand why they would want to become a city again and take the tax dollars and do some major improvements, but I'm guessing now they will have lots of corporations fighting against them, including the mall and the casino!

Sep 16, 2008 05:10 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Neal- Interesting....is it a small area?

George- why hi there :) I am sure they will succeed. This whole area is changing drastically.

Jane-First we will be happy to have you in our Group, and second I would say in the long term Cabazon is a good investment. Let me know if your husband changes his mind....there are some good deals to be had :)

Carole- The Reservation is gated now, but the general public can go on there for certain activities....like the Rodeo, and a few other activities. The big Pow Wow that they have every year is by the Casino so you don't need to go through any of the gates. This year the Pow Wow is Sept. 26-28th if you can make it :) :)

Lynda-I am surprised at many things that Banning and Cabazon have done....yes, I am pretty sure that Cabazon will again be a City. We have a really good County District Supervisor and I think Politically it is a good move. I may be wrong, but I don't think so.

Todd-Yes, I would think that the tax dollars have a lot to do with it. The Cabazon of the 70's isn't the Cabazon of today, and some people like the changes and some don't.

Sep 16, 2008 06:21 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Kathy-

Thank you for your wonderful comments on my recent loss. You are so wonderful!

I am impressed that Cabazon has applied for citiship. It does make sense. Heck the outlet alone probably brings more tax revenue than a comparable small town. Add a few roads, a few developments and then add in that fun place to shop ( The outlet center). Sounds like a good formula for a new small city.

Sep 17, 2008 04:14 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

William- As one that spends quite a few of his dollars at the Outlets, I am sure you know that those tax dollars are huge :) Amazing what a difference the past several years have done for this area.

I hope each day has gotten a little easier for you.

Sep 18, 2008 07:09 AM

Liz Moras Migic

Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Ok so I had a brain storm! I saw the Route 99 and thought......I have always always wanted to do the Route 66 Trip......its a little bit zigzaggy these days.........but here's the thought.......

I either fly or drive down to California -.......pick you up..........and we take the Route 66 to New York to visit Carol......(and anybody else on AR we know thats enroute )....?......Thats would be 4 Goals......Meeting you, Route 66, Meeting Carole, Going to New York!......."Oh I"m so excited.....I just can't fight, I'm about to lose control......"? Is that how the song goes? lol

How about next May Vagabond girl?

Sep 19, 2008 07:17 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Liz- A Road trip.....so we will start at the 99 and go to the 66 how cool is that? I actually took the 66 from here to New Mexico....and there are some fantastic spots that seem to have been frozen in time.

America really is a beautiful country....and this part out here is still wild and so much undeveloped. Thank God :) Anyway, I love love your idea.....but May won't work......I will be going to Canada in June, then up to Alaska. I skipped a vacation for this year, in order to have that one for next year :) Also you want to go when it's not high season.....still warm, no snow, and no hurricanes, fires, tornado's, etc.....hmmm wonder when that is :)

OK, this Vagabond is excited to go......call Carole :)

Sep 20, 2008 04:24 AM