About Norco's Horsetown Usa

Norco New Construction Home Almost Complete!

Lots has happened since my last post about our new home in Norco, CA. The drywall is up, taping and mud complete, baseboards and crown molding installed, and walls and trim are painted. Floor tile has been laid, grout is going in as I write, and the final coat of stucco has been drying for 2 days. Whew!

So much work has been going on that I'm having difficulty getting quality updated photos. Let me just say that construction sites are not known for being neat and clean! I'm posting what I've got on my Facebook page, so you can click over to see the progress from start to finish (scroll to the bottom for the most recent photos).

Items left to completion:

• Install cabinets in kitchen and bath
• Counter tops and backsplashes
• Finish electrical (wall plates and light fixtures)
• Finish plumbing (faucets and spouts)
• Carpet in the bedrooms
• Landscape (including concrete drive and walkways)

We're already getting people stopping by to ask about purchasing the home, though there is no sign up and we've not really advertised it yet. There is an agent in the area who has stopped by a couple times during construction, and brought clients by today. No offer in hand yet, but it may be sold!

The other day, the inspector drove by on his way to another appointment, and slowed down to wave as he went by. Gotta love Norco! We'll be seeing him again very soon, when we have our final inspection for the occupancy certificate. What a beautiful day that will be!

Hi All! I just posted some photos of our Norco Spec Home on FaceBook. Thought I'd share the link for anyone interested in watching the progress. Will be adding some more photos today with the windows in place.

We passed inspection for shear walls and panels yesterday, now have the go ahead for rough mechanicals. A/C was started yesterday, Plumbing started today, and electric will start tomorrow. So excited to see the progress each day!

Anyone who is interested in buying a brand new home in Norco, CA - now is your chance! Contact me for details.

Gym, Health Club, Fitness Center .... Places to Get in Shape in the Norco Area

With the New Year's resolutions long gone, and summer well upon us, I have finally managed to get consistent in getting to the gym (Thanks to my bff Steff!).  If you're in the same boat, now is a great time to get started, with lots of summer promotions and grand openings providing deals on memberships at your local health club.

As a long time member of LA Fitness, I can easily recommend their recently updated LA Fitness club in Norco.  Located at 1377 Hamner Ave, the club is easily accessible just off the 15 Freeway between the McKinley and 2nd St.  exits.   And since they're open  Monday through Thursday from 4 am to Midnight, there is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for not getting there!  

For additional information about the club, see their website.  But since I am familiar with their recent upgrades, let me tell you about some of the improvements:

The pool has been refinished, the sauna was rebuilt, showers retiled, and gorgeous new lockers installed in the locker rooms.  They've also replaced the cardio equipment with the latest and greatest machines, including individual TV screens with control of the channels and the ability to hook up your iPod through the machine or plug in your earphones.  Forgot the earphones? That's ok, you can turn on the subtitles and read the dialog as you walk away those extra pounds!  

• LA Fitness Corona or LA Fitness Riverside
• Fitness 19 operates clubs in Mira Loma, Corona, and Riverside (Riverside is in "Pre Opening" status and offering $14 enrollment plus $14 per month)
• 24 Hour Fitness offers two locations in Corona, and one in Riverside

Enjoying the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area - Baby Birds!

It was a lovely day in Norco Ca. today, sunny but not too hot, with a nice small breeze. We decided to take the kids and their friends to the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area for a walk. I've written about the park before, you can see the posts here (A Hidden Gem in Hidden Valley, the Wildlife Area and the Santa Ana River Trail & Why is Norco, CA Known as Horsetown USA?).

Today was a special day because one of the bird houses up at the Nature Center had 5 baby birds in the nest! The kids were really excited, and we were even able to get a photo. Fun day!

Why is Norco, CA known as Horsetown USA?

There are many cities that have rural areas, where a person might be able to keep horses. These neighborhoods might have larger lots, which allos for the space to house your equine pets, but Norco is different because the whold city is dedicated to the rural animal keeping lifestyle. With most lots sized at half an acre or more, and a required "Primary Animal Keeping Area" or PAKA, those who desire the right to keep animals on their property have fought hard to maintain Norco's status as Horsetown USA.

Throughout the City of Norco, you'll find horse trails on at least one side of the street. With more than 81 miles of horse trails, it is possible to ride your horse from homes in Norco to any other part of the city. Most just ride througout their neighborhood, but many will head over to the Santa Ana River Trail, which parallels the nearby Santa Ana River. The trail, which will cover about 100 miles once complete, will run from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach, spanning 3 counties and 17 cities.

In the Norco area, the Santa Ana River Trail runs through the Hidden Valley Wildife Area, a 1500 acre park filled with trails used for hiking and riding. There are few locations where you can just hop on your horse and ride out around the city and into the parks, without having to carry the horse in a trailer to your riding location, but in Norco, that is an every day occurrence! And soon, we'll have an additional option with the Silverlakes equestrian park set to open in the next few years.

And in Norco, not only can you ride through town, but there are still "hitching posts" at most of the businesses to accomodate those who prefer to use their horses as their primary mode of transportation. Whether you're headed to the grocery store for a few staple items, to the Saddle Sore Saloon for some refreshments, or to the Church of Christ, there is a place to secure your horse while you're there. Where else but Norco will you find crosswalk buttons at two different heights? One at the standard height for a pedestrian, and one high enough to reach while on horseback!

As a resident of the area, I love seeing the horses and their riders out on the trails as I drive through town. Norco horse property is special because the entire community is built around the equestrian lifestyle, something you won't find in areas that just happen to have lots big enough to house horses.

If you're interested in considering a move to Norco or the surrounding area, I'd love to give you a tour of the area. Give me a call or email me for additional information about Norco real estate and horse property.