From my perspective, having observed Southern California real estate for decades, I never expected the High Desert region to gain this much attention. It used to be a neighborhood sought after by those looking to retire quietly, but recently, inquiries from young families have noticeably increased.

Victorville is now considered one of the cities that has seen a steady population increase in recent years. The population is estimated to have grown to the mid-130,000s, primarily due to households moving north along the 15 Freeway, unable to afford the high housing costs in Los Angeles and Orange County. The rise in remote work has also contributed to this migration trend by reducing commuting burdens.

The industrial base is centered around logistics. With major logistics centers, including Amazon, establishing themselves around the Southern California Logistics Airport, jobs related to warehousing and delivery have steadily increased. The entire Inland Empire has established itself as a logistics hub, benefiting Victorville and nearby Apple Valley and Hesperia. Recently, there have also been some cases of attracting facilities related to electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy.

However, the unemployment rate tends to be somewhat higher than the California state average, hovering around 6%. It's important to consider that employment in logistics can fluctuate seasonally. While income levels still fall short of the Southern California average, the relatively low housing costs have led to assessments that the real purchasing power is not too bad.

In terms of infrastructure, the Brightline West high-speed rail project is being promoted with a route through Victorville to Las Vegas, which could significantly change regional accessibility upon completion. However, given the nature of large infrastructure projects, potential delays and budget adjustments should also be kept in mind, and it may take considerable time before actual operation begins.

• Job growth due to the expansion of logistics centers
• Affordable housing prices compared to Southern California
• Improved accessibility expected from the high-speed rail project

For Korean households, there is often more interest in investment properties aimed at rental income rather than primary residence. However, commuting distance and the desert climate are factors that should be carefully considered before making a decision on living there, and the impact of employment volatility in logistics on rental demand should also be monitored.

From my long-term observation of this market, it seems that Victorville has the potential for gradual but steady development alongside the growth of Southern California's logistics industry over the next 10 years.