After living here for a long time, you realize how important it is to know where you are located.

Victorville may seem like a small High Desert city on its own, but when you look at a 50-mile radius, it connects to so many places. I wanted to share this story.

About 30 to 40 miles to the south are Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and Rialto. This area is the economic center of the Inland Empire.

There are Korean and Asian markets like H Mart and 99 Ranch Market, and shopping and medical facilities are much more abundant. These are "complementary cities" that supplement the lacking infrastructure in Victorville. About 35 to 40 miles away are San Bernardino and Redlands.

Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) is located here, and Loma Linda University Medical Center is the largest medical facility in the area.

This is a direction I often travel for education and healthcare. The University of Redlands is also in this living area. This is a matter of principle. When choosing a place to live, you should consider not just the city itself but the entire surrounding area.

About 50 miles to the east is Barstow. It's a deeper part of the High Desert and another desert city.

It's on the way to Las Vegas. About 40 to 50 miles to the northwest are Lancaster and Palmdale. These cities belong to Los Angeles County and form a separate living area called Antelope Valley. This area is concentrated in the aerospace industry, with Edwards Air Force Base nearby. About 50 miles to the southwest are Ontario and Riverside.

Ontario Airport is in this direction, and the major cities of Riverside County start here.

And I can't forget to mention Las Vegas. It's about 190 miles to the east (a 2.5 to 3-hour drive), so it's outside the 50-mile range, but it's an essential city for Victorville residents. Many people consider Vegas their number one weekend getaway. However, the roads are always congested on weekends, so many also go to nearby San Manuel or Morongo Casino.

In a way, this geographical location is a strength of Victorville.

Even though it seems like it's in the middle of the desert, it's actually in the middle of a triangular transportation network connecting LA, the Inland Empire, and Las Vegas.

The hidden charm of this city is that you can reach anywhere within two hours.