Advice for moving to Victorville

(Please don't include "don't do it".)

I'm almost 23, currently living with my parents in Gilbert, Arizona. I should say before I go any further that I DO understand most people advise against moving to California for pretty much every reason it is possible to have.

But I've been out to the high desert area(Apple Valley-Hesperia-Victorville) quite a few times in the last year for both business and pleasure, and absolutely love it. I've been on room-share and Facebook marketplace and roommate forums, just sort of keeping an eye on my options, and seen things that lead me to believe I can afford it.

I'm in the process of looking for full-time remote copywriting work/building up my freelance business to full-time, whichever comes first, and ideally want to be out of the house this summer. Looking to have around $15-16k minimum in savings before I am and will NOT be moving until I have that solid, stable income again.

I do know some people in the area, but they aren't looking for roommates. I've been looking primarily into renting a room in a house.

So any advice for finding affordable(and safe) roommates? Or anything from locals that might help me make the best financially responsible decision?

Editing to add context: most of the full-time remote jobs for my industry I've been a fit for/applying for are quartered in LA or San Bernadino counties, a few in Riverside. Higher consideration has been for those willing to relocate to the area(I'd prefer to work in the same time zone all year round anyway).

I have zero desire to live in LA or LA county, so am looking for a more affordable area. If this particular area isn't a good idea, can anyone point me in a safer direction?

I will NOT be moving until I have the job or income to afford it safely, but need some help in determining where safely would be.

Edit 2: Thank you all SO much for providing some much needed insight and tough love and for being so gracious to a dumb 20- something stranger on the Internet. I have learned so much today.