With every step we took on our first walk to the park as parents, I became more than just a transplant in the city. With each step, everything mattered: the school district, the park, the community events, the recreational leagues. With every push of the stroller, I suddenly felt like I was where I belonged.
Since moving to the Inland Empire, I treated my new home as a foreign place. Since the birth of my daughter, Riverside feels more like our forever home.
I've spent my time trying to replicate the life I had in Pomona. I looked for restaurants with menus similar to the ones I grew up eating, tried to set up routines similar to the days I had for 35 years, all in a new city.
Now, there's meaning in each block surrounding our home. As my wife and I welcomed our first child, Riverside is more than just a place where we sleep. Riverside is now our daughter's hometown and I have a whole new set of questions.
Where are the good schools? Which park has the best slides? What community pool has the least amount of urine?
That last question isn't me being pessimistic. It is me worrying about a real problem that has haunted communities across the country for generations.
More seriously, what version of Riverside will raise my daughter?
In Pomona, I had most of the answers, but now we will be learning as one. We'll learn which park has the best basketball court for us to play on. We'll learn which sidewalk has the least amount of bumps for a better bike ride. We'll grow into the city as a family.
I just hope my daughter learns to love the city that will see her grow the same way my wife and I love our hometown. It wasn't love at first sight and it won't be for her either, but I hope she sees everything Riverside has to offer.
From the art scene in Downtown Riverside, to the diversity of restaurants around the city, to the different hiking trails nearby — there's so much to do.
During our trip to the park, we imagined running around the playground chasing her. We pictured her learning how to shoot from the free throw line and falling in love with basketball. We saw ourselves taking family walks for years to come.
As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I close my transplant era. With the arrival of my daughter, she's turned me into a local. I can get to destinations around the city without needing a GPS. I actually know the name of the park down the street from my house. I now have restaurant recommendations. Hopefully, she likes my picks.
The only difference is, now, I get to experience the culture through her eyes and pass along my knowledge.
I just hope she loves it as much as I love my hometown.
Anthony was born and raised in Pomona. After a decade in education, he now writes for Southern California News Group, LA Times, and LA Taco. He recently moved to Riverside with his wife Evelyn.
