Courtesy of Silverwood
Amid an exodus of outpriced Californians fleeing the Golden State in search of affordable housing and intentional community, a sprawling neighborhood development in the heart of the Inland Empire is aiming to keep them home and inject a multibillion-dollar boost into the local economy.The team behind Silverwood, a master-planned 9,000-acre residential community located in Hesperia, spent the last year generating buzz for its low-for-California home prices as well as its kindness pledge — a document that all residents are required to sign."I can't tell you the number of times residents have stopped me and said how much they appreciate the idea and the way it is being lived out," John Ohanian, general manager of Silverwood, told Business Insider. "If this is our legacy at Silverwood, I will be so proud."The neighborhood has proved a popular alternative for Californians seeking greener pastures. Silverwood sold more than 40 homes in its first two weeks after officially opening in April 2025, Ohanian said. Since then, sales have climbed to 225 properties as of June 2026."The first year was a success," Ohanian said. "We had strong community engagement, experienced strong buyer interest, and made our place despite no softening in the mortgage market and general economic ups and downs."
