Desert Empire

A term used for the Coachella Valley by locals (including myself) to separate it from the Inland Empire region in Southern California (don't worry, the valley is really NOT in the IE). It stretches from the small town of Whitewater (next to Palm Springs all the way to the northern and western shores of the horribly polluted Salton Sea. Known also as the "Deadly Empire" or "Death Empire," the valley is infamous for its unbearably hot (115-125°F) and dusty air/pollution, poor water quality (mainly in rural areas), broken economy, high crime rate (most prevalent in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Coachella, and Indio), high illegal drug use thanks to the local Mexican cartels, and numerous street gangs (such as Penn West in Indio and some Desert Hot Spring Gangs) that are spread EVERYWHERE in this entire 50-to-55-mile-long SoCal desert valley (yes, even in small towns and unincorporated areas)! If you don't mind having to deal with any of the above just mentioned, then this "resort valley" may be for you, and you're a freak of nature. Oh, and make sure to be aware of the local culture shock of the so-called "resort cities," because you will NOT find any joy or luxury here, what-so-EVER!!!