Orchard View - A Very Unique and Terrific Neighborhood in Riverside
by Don Pedersen
-- View from Canyonwind Road in Orchard View--
One of the best kept secrets in Riverside and Corona is the neighborhood of Orchard View, a community of 97 homes built between 2000 and 2002. There are four floor plans that range in size from 2765 sq ft to 4112 sq ft. This secluded development is adjacent to The Orchard (to the south) enter at La Sierra Ave and Orchard View Ln. There is also access into the neighborhood from McAllister Parkway.
This community is very unique in several aspects: first, the lots are large. They are a minimum of one-half an acre up to almost three acres. These homes are on public sewer unlike their neighbor, The Orchard, where all the homes are on septic systems. The tax rate is a low – just 1.0636% plus about $500 in annual special assessments for street lighting and sewer. There are no Mello-Roos taxes and no HOA – which are both generally found in similar neighborhoods.
The public schools include: Lake Mathews Elementary (See Rebecca’s blog about Lake Mathews Elementary - A National Blue Ribbon School), Miller Middle School, and a choice of either Arlington High School or King High School, all in the Riverside Unified School District.
The neighborhood is conveniently located by the Riverside City amenities of the Tyler Mall, Riverside Plaza, La Sierra University, and California Baptist University. Not quite as close are University of California Riverside and Riverside City College. There is quick access to the shopping centers in Corona of Corona Crossings and Dos Lagos. It is also just across the street from the new development on McAllister called Citrus Heights. Read about the community here. 
We found this neighborhood when my family and I were moving from Columbus, Ohio to California in 2001. We looked at several homes in eastern Orange County, Corona, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga, and were frustrated even way back then at the high prices of the homes and their small home and lot sizes. Then we found Orchard View just before we were to catch a flight back to Ohio. It was everything we were looking for as far as location, lots of elbow room (large lot sizes), great floor plans and it seemed to be perfect for our family. Shortly afterward, we were in contract and moved in a few months later when the house was completed.
We lived in the neighborhood for 13 years and loved it. After all of our children moved out, we needed to downsize and moved about a mile away. But those 13 years in Orchard View were wonderful, with great neighbors and schools (our youngest son got accepted to West Point in New York (USMA) and plenty of peace and quiet.
Another great feature of this neighborhood is the nearby hills near Lake Mathews where I run and bike. There are lots of hills - some are quite challenging, but the variety of different running and biking venues really make this area one of the most enjoyable and challenging areas to exercise in. There is great running within the neighborhood or along the nearby Gage Canal or in the nearby hills where there are several miles of non-paved trails. It is also close to the bike trails along Victoria Avenue and dirt bike trails in the back country.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this wonderful neighborhood or if you are interested in buying or selling in Orchard View. Click here to check out this AMAZING listing we have in the Orchard View - this house is gorgeous and completely turnkey.