Pedley, CA

248 Apartments for Rent

While most cities are named for presidents, businessmen or other stately membership, this small community is best known for a 19th-century British cricket player and cracker-jack irrigation engineer. While William Pedley solved the area's irrigation challenges, history books say the town only got its name because the railroad ran past William Pedley's business.

Keeping its namesake in mind, Pedley, California, is not your normal community. The small community of about 12,600 (at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census) sits just north of the city of Riverside, and provides residents everything in terms of beautiful weather and plenty of things to do. Until 2011, Pedley was regarded as a U.S. census-designated town. But on July 1, 2011, Pedley became part of the newly created city of Jurupa Valley (pronounced hur-oo-pa Valley), which incorporates eight small towns: Glen Avon, Rubidoux, Belltown, Sunnyslope, Jurupa Hills, Indian Hills, Mira Loma, Sky Country and Pedley. The administrative affairs are managed by the city, which currently is still working hard to meet the challenges of a newly minted community.

Moving to Pedley

Residential areas are spread between several subdivisions, along with a few older residential areas that are not within privately developed neighborhoods. You'll be hard-pressed to find many townhouse rentals or apartment homes in Pedley; accommodations in this area and greater Jurupa Valley are comprised almost exclusively of detached houses, but you can find hi rise apartments, furnished apartments and condos for rent in Riverside just a few miles away. While you look for a rental house in town, check out the centrally located restaurants and assorted amenities -- even if you can't find something close by, the outlying towns will likely have what you need. Just make sure you bring all your papers with you when you're searching for a place in Pedley; we're talking about a copy of your ID, letters of reference, proof that you have the funds to pay rent and a credit report.

Some of Pedley's best features are its close proximity to Riverside, a major employment center, and its short commuting distance from the Los Angeles area. SoCal's well-developed web of highways (there's the 15, 60 and 91) makes it easy to reach just about any part of the region, as long as you're willing to put up with traffic.

Neighborhoods

Since Pedley is a small town, there aren't clear cut neighborhoods. But the different areas of Pedley offer up different lifestyles so see which one is best for you.

North Pedley: The northern tip of the community is bordered by Jurupa Road and contains many well-maintained houses and small cul-de-sacs. Many of the residences have swimming pools and provide a ready escape from the oppressive southern California heat. North Pedley also feels somewhat rural, since you can find agricultural and niche shopping and the occasional large field helps to space out the neighborhoods. Mall rats will appreciate shopping centers just a few miles away in central Pedley.

West Pedley: This neighborhood combines old and new homes while keeping its classy appeal. High-end houses with swimming pools and well-kept neighborhoods combine with older, carefully maintained residences. You won't find much shopping here (except for the De Anza Country Shopping Center), but restaurants and other amenities are within easy driving distance.

East Pedley: Green spaces and winding residential roads separate the tightly knit neighborhoods and spacious homes here. Streets with names like Paisano, El Palomino, and Virtue Vista add a southern California flavor, and you can find undeveloped land and walking trails scattered among the houses. Bring your golf clubs, too; the Indian Hills Golf Club borders a few developments in the area.

South Pedley: Smaller houses stretch across the southern section of Pedley, with large residential streets characteristic of Southern California. The bottom portion of Pedley is green space, with trails that skirt along the Santa Ana River. Major malls and shopping areas are an easy drive, but not good for walkers.

Hidden Valley Wildlife Area: Yes, you can find nature around here, tucked at the southwest tip of Pedley. Sprawling estates in this high-end neighborhood border the famous wildlife area, which features a horse trail and other amenities. Older houses cluster around the outskirts, providing a nice mix of real estate. The Paradise Knolls Golf Course borders the east side of the neighborhood.

Pedley Pointers

Some Like It Hot (and Dry)

Pedley is vintage So Cal: warm, dry, and easy on the rain during the summer months. For those who relish poolside tanning and sultry summer nights, Pedley has just the right climate -- and hopefully you've figured out by now that the area doesn't welcome many winter sports. While Pedley does have its chilly moments in the winter, you'll be making a long road trip to get to the nearest mountain. But the warm weather is worth savoring; as the locals will tell you, nothing can beat a SoCal summer evening, especially in the more relaxed 'burbs.

Nix the Rush

The rumors are true: "rush hour" in most parts of southern California is worthy of road rage. While SoCal's freeway system is uniquely sophisticated and provides a gateway to most parts of the coast and beyond, it has its limitations (mostly in the form of long backups and hours of idling). If you don't work a 9-to-5 schedule and want to reduce your rush hour stress, follow the unspoken rule of thumb that the locals practice: never get on the freeway until everyone else has arrived at work or arrived home, whichever is sooner. Sure, waiting for a traffic-free opening can take hours -- but it's better to spend those hours snoozing, checking out the pool or jogging than idling and wishing you could cut into the carpool lane on the freeway.

Take to the Trails

Pedley borders several great recreational areas, including the Hidden Valley Nature Center, which offers tours and gives you a bird's eye view of the area's natural resources. The Santa Ana River Trail is a rite of passage for newbies in the area, and a great way to pass a spring day.

Be Nice to the Neighbors

William Pedley wasn't the only defining influence in Pedley -- the area's resident wild pig population has been making news for decades. For the most part, the rambunctious hogs are well contained within park areas. However, they do keep the local media busy with their odd pranks and mischief in the surrounding Santa Ana Park region. Check with the Jurupa Valley City Hall for information about routine procedures for keeping the wild neighbors off your property.

Pedley combines the usual benefits of southern California living with its own brand of luxury and outdoor recreation. Come visit (outside of rush hour!) to see what living here has to offer.