What do you think about Mission Viejo? (Orange, Newport Beach: rentals, crime)

[Optimistic1]

I am a 30 year old married woman with 2 children. We currently live in AZ. Last week when it was 119 degrees we jumped in the car and drove to Newport Beach. We could not believe how nice the weather was. We were so drepressed about going back to Arizona to unbareable heat. For 4 months of the year it is reallllllly hot here. The rest of the year we enjoy perfect weather. Summer months are the months we really want to enjoy though. The kids are out of school and since we work from home we have a very flexible schedule. To make a long story short, we want to move so Orange County. I have done a lot of reading and it seems that we should move to Mission Viejo to avoid gangs and crime and to enjoy a family lifestyle. Please give your input on this area. What are the negatives about Mission Viejo? I have already checked the home prices and that is not an issue.

[hamishmacbrown]

hi,

you can look at this thread that gives a lot of detail about mission viejo.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/orang...city-city.html

i have only lived in oc since may, so my knowledge of mv is restricted to the mall and to the hospital, both are very good.

all the best with your move.

[NaplesRes]

MV will provide a family lifestyle. But MV is basically Arizona only more expensive. In other words, it's hot there too. I would look closer to the coast if that is your motivation. If you don't want to pay the high prices to live in one of the coastal towns, you're going to have to fight traffic to escape the heat in the summer.

[Humanoid]

But MV is basically Arizona only more expensive. In other words, it's hot there too.

The heat in Mission Viejo is nothing like Arizona, it rarely gets more than 90 in Mission Viejo in the summer (average is 82) The average temps on the coast are only 8-10 degrees less, Mission Viejo after all is close to the coast.

Anyhow, Mission Viejo is pretty nice. The weather is good, its cheaper than other areas yet still nice, plenty of good food , very safe etc. The only negative things I can think of apply to Southern California in general.

[NaplesRes]

10-15 degrees is a lot to me. And the really big difference is the coastal breeze. I guess it's all perspective.

[kturbe]

Mission Viejo is a great neighborhood and you have everything from older homes to new homes in communities such Ladera Ranch, Stoneridge, etc. Two of the top school districts Capistrano and Saddleback manage the schools with two top high schools for academics, sports, etc are located in MV. Tax rate is 1% for most of the neighborhoods with no mello roos. But in the newer neighborhoods you do have that. The city also offers great lake amentities that I spend a lot of time at w/my family for $19.00 a month.
You could also check out the neighborhoods of Portola Hills, Foothill Ranch, Aliso Viejo very similar to MV.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact w/me direct.

[Bird Lover]

We have lived in Mission Viejo for seven years and the weather is lovely but have to move as soon as I retire because housing is so expensive. Consider if you will have any money left over after paying rent or the mortage payment.

[LW2007]

I currently live in MV.
We are normally a bit warmer out here than in Newport, but it's about a 15-minute drive to the coast (on the toll road) if you're really craving the ocean breeze.
MV is beautiful - very green, tons of shopping, restaurants, movie theatres nearby. Warm & sunny most of the time. My apt complex is older but it is quiet, safe, & great rent. Chirping birds outside my window every day. My only frustration is driving north to work every day (45 minutes).
I don't have kids so I can't comment on children-related needs you might have.
As posted above you may also look into Ladera Ranch, ALiso Viejo, or even Rancho Santa Margarita - if you're looking to buy a house you'll find newer properties in those cities.

[Phisch]

We just moved from MV. We only left because we opted to take advantage of our home's equity.

MV is a very family friendly city and in recent years has won the designation of "safest city." Sorry I can't remember what year.

If it gets too hot, the mall is a nice place to get somewhere with AC or you can go visit Lake Mission Viejo, a man-made lake where you can swim (two beaches for swimming), fish or go boating (they have rentals available). If you decide the lake is a factor for you in moving, you will want to check first to make sure the home you buy has lake access. Some of the newer parts of MV were annexed from the old El Toro area and it's my understanding those homes don't get to join the lake association.

The beaches are a 20 minute drive more or less depending on the traffic.

Schools are good, but there's a caveat. We were in Capistrano SD and there was some hubbub with the superintendents. Not sure what exactly, but funding issues wouldn't allow for keeping smaller 4th grade classes and some extracurricular things had to be cut. On the other hand, the schools themselves are great.

We loved our five years there and we really enjoyed the lake a lot. Again, a great place to raise kids if you can afford a home there.

[Cattknap]

Mission Viejo is one of the safest cities for its size in the U.S.