SAN BERNARDINO – An annual quality of life survey finds a few more county residents feeling better about the economy.

Fourteen percent think it’s excellent or good. Barbara Sirotnik at Cal State San Bernardino’s Institute of Applied Research says that’s far fewer than 6-years ago.

“The ratings have sunk because of the recession. But, they’re bottoming out and beginning to come back up again.”

Lack of job opportunities is the second most-mentioned negative factor about living in San Bernardino County right behind smog and traffic.

And with high gasoline prices, “Very few people are saying they’d get out of their cars to ride the Metrolink or the bus. Only 38 percent said they’d carpool more often. People definitely do like their cars,” Ms. Sirotnik said.

Overall, most find the county a good place to live. (INT)

Story Date: June 5, 2011