It doesn't matter where the plot is in SoCal. There are crap areas and good areas -- it all depends on what you make of it.
As a licensed Realtor for many, many years -- encompassing a vast area including San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and LA Counties -- there is ALWAYS a market for exclusive communities, no matter where they are built. It all depends on marketing.
Having said that, you are right that the parcel(s) were likely a bargain, but they are located in a convenient and accessible area, and it's a far cry from being a "ghetto" or unsafe area.
It can become whatever it wants to be in that particular area. It's not a bad thing, imo.
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could be completely wrong... and occasionally offensive.
Read and absorb my insanity at your own risk.