Starting in the $400,000s, Friendly Homes in SoCal’s Planned ‘City of Kindness’

Imagine residing in a city founded on kindness, where inhabitants are urged to treat each other with respect and refrain from judging their neighbors.

“It’s a crucial aspect for us,” Ohanian informed The Epoch Times. “Our objective is to establish certain expectations for how we will coexist.”

The expansive development, covering nearly 15 square miles, is situated in Hesperia, California, on State Route 138 close to the Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino Mountains, approximately 75 miles east of Los Angeles.

This project will feature homes designed for active outdoor lifestyles, ranging in price from the mid-$400,000s to the $700,000s. The community will encompass five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, as outlined in the plans.

“We aim to create a unique living environment that embraces outdoor activities and prioritizes community,” explained Ohanian.

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Compared to properties nearer the coast, Ohanian pointed out that the housing in Silverwood will be more accessible to Californians who cannot afford Los Angeles and Orange County.

“We are striving to define a family-focused lifestyle that enables young families to afford living in California,” stated Ohanian.

Living in Silverwood will also involve a monthly homeowner association fee of $158, which will include access to full gig-speed internet, surpassing the speed of older cable connections by 10 times, according to the developer.

Ohanian was motivated to construct a kind community after learning about former Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait’s “Kindness Initiative,” initiated in 2010 during his term. The town formally adopted “kindness” as its motto in 2017.

Silverwood could be the city that the former mayor aspired to inspire.

Tait did not respond to a request for comments about Silverwood on Friday.

Nonetheless, in line with this sentiment, the homeowner association in Silverwood will provide new residents with the opportunity to pledge to be kind upon purchasing one of the nearly 15,700 homes.

“We are aiming to create an environment where individuals feel heard, respected, free from judgment, and treated kindly,” expressed Ohanian. “This sets an expectation, and we hope that every homeowner signs the pledge.”

While kindness will not be enforced, Ohanian anticipates that peer pressure and personal conscience will encourage residents to uphold this principle.

The project has been in progress since 2012, following the developer’s acquisition of the land during a bankruptcy. The southern section of the property was previously a functional cattle ranch and will remain open space.

The cost-effectiveness of the land will be a key factor in offering more affordable housing options. The homes will range in size from 1,400 square feet for a one-story condo near the town center to 4,000-square-foot executive homes at the upper end.

“Silverwood will provide thousands of families with the opportunity to reside in a stunning natural environment with ample outdoor recreational opportunities, all within a reasonable commuting distance to San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, and other established employment hubs,” as detailed on the project’s website.

Furthermore, each house will come equipped with solar panels, as mandated by California law.

The development will also include a wastewater treatment facility to recycle water for all parks and schools within the association. Additionally, half of the homes will offer residents the option to utilize recycled water for irrigation and landscaping purposes, according to the developer.

The project is planned to comprise eight villages, each with a unique theme and anchored by green spaces. One village might focus on pickleball courts, while another could include a swimming complex, as outlined by the developer.

“Every village will exhibit its own neighborhood identity and distinct character,” shared Ohanian.

Moreover, the community will feature its own medical services, grocery stores, and other amenities, he added.

Residents will have access to pools, recreational facilities, bandstands, and other communal areas within the community. Nearly half of the land within the development is allocated for natural open spaces, conservation easements, parks, and the Serrano Preserve.

The project is anticipated to offer 59 miles of off-street trails, 107 miles of paths and paseos, and 387 acres of parks. Every home will be within a five-minute walk of a park, as per the plans.

Silverwood Lake borders the southern edge of the property, while Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear are approximately an hour away.

Model homes at the development are expected to open in the spring of the following year, with residents anticipated to move in between April and June.

Homebuilders involved in the project include Lennar, Richmond American Homes, Watt Capital Developers, and Woodside Homes.

The developer envisions a timeline of up to 20 years to fully complete the community.