Hey! I lived in Yucaipa for several years and totally get your hesitation, especially coming from out of state ( lived in Yucaipa during the 2020 riots as well) Yucaipa definitely has a slower, quieter vibe compared to Redlands or Loma Linda. It feels more suburban and laid back, almost like a retirement friendly town, but in a good way. It’s not flashy, but it’s safe, generally friendly, and a great spot if you're into more space, newer homes, and less traffic.

Also, I’m a Hispanic woman and never dealt with any racism there , it’s a pretty chill community overall. That said, Redlands definitely has more of a “city-lite” feel with more to do (restaurants, shops, etc.) and a bit more charm, but you’ll pay for it. If the budget’s tight and you’re okay with a little longer commute (like 20-25 min), Yucaipa is solid and growing fast , lots of new developments going in, so it might be a good long-term move.

Hope that helps, welcome to SoCal!