"Green" communities in OC? (Anaheim, Orange: mortgage, how much, buying a home)
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Glad you found the info to be useful. I agree that Fluor is doing something special that could be easily copied by other companies, and it actually saves them money in the process. Also, there’s probably office space available in one of AV's business parks if your company is looking.
I am wondering what other neighborhoods, besides those adjacent to Soka University, are available that might have more affordable Mello Roos and HOA's?
It'll probably take checking the tax assessor's website for each particular property to find out if the Mello-Roos fees are low (Realtors may have the information by tract). There are very few homes in AV that are actually free of Mello-Roos. The majority of them are places that you would not consider buying, since they are mostly small, older townhouses and condos across Alicia Parkway, or along Moulton Parkway near Laguna Woods. They primarily attract young couples who are just starting out.
There are some homes that do not fit that category, but they are rare, and seem top be concentrated in the Audubon community near El Toro Road.
Incidentally, the kids in Audubon attend Laguna Beach schools. Here’s one Audubon home without Mello-Roos (and an HOA of $250/month), but you would have to check Redfin, or call a realtor to find others: 55 BLUEBIRD Ln, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 | MLS# P742495
A major draw for me of the Soka Universaity area is its proximity to the nature reserve, would similar be available in other neighborhoods?
You can get city lights, green belt, park or canyon views in other neighborhoods. In some places, you just get a view of your neighbor’s house. . Still Aliso is tiny, so it just takes minutes to reach Soka.
Ease of access to a primary route to the Orange/Anaheim line, southern tip, would be a priority ... trying to make that commute as easy and quick as possible
The 5N is easily accessible from any AV neighborhood. The onramp is in Laguna Hills, and Alicia Parkway and El Toro Road are the closest points of entry. In a pinch, you could also take the 73N Toll to the 55N and then get on the 5N. The 73 runs through the middle of Aliso.
Regarding schools, as far as I know, most teens attend Aliso Niguel High or Don Juan Avila Middle School. Some, of course, attend school in Laguna Beach.
Some homes, like this 2700 sq ft/5bd/3.75 bath residence in Aliso, actually have very low HOA fees. The fees for this place are $118/month. The Mello-Roos info is at the Orange County Tax Assessor's site.
There are 23 parks in Aliso Viejo and this one happens to be near Canyon View Park.
429 PSF in Aliso...whoever buys that will be immediately underwater...4k square foot lot? you can go to dover shores and buy a house in Newport Beach which will have a far greater appreciation potential with a much larger lot.... PS look at MLS #S569646 (16 Gatewood)
I do agree, Socalpal, that these homes are small for the price particularly when you add in Mello Roos and HOAs. However, I do enjoy their views. I would love to find something with wonderful views, plus my long list of other criteria , and w/o high Mello's and HOA's. I'm not asking for much .
I do agree, Socalpal, that these homes are small for the price particularly when you add in Mello Roos and HOAs. However, I do enjoy their views. I would love to find something with wonderful views, plus my long list of other criteria , and w/o high Mello's and HOA's. I'm not asking for much .
Look in older parts of Orange County, Villa Park, Anaheim Hills & Orange. You will find great views, no mello roos/hoa's. I have no idea why you are looking in Aliso Viejo when the job is in Anaheim/Orange. Claiming Aliso Viejo is a green city is laughable. Before Aliso Viejo was even a city it was much more "Green." Cementing and building packed in subdivisions on what was one of the most beautiful open spaces in Orange County is an unforgivable sin. A couple drought tolerant scrub brushes, and some "green" workshops does not make that city a "green city." The whole city was built on paving over beautiful open space. Call a spade a spade, from the facts in this thread a couple things are obvious....Anaheim has the most comprehensive "green" program, Living in Orange would give you the walkability/close factor, Villa Park gives you the large yard you are looking for etc. All three communities have homes with views, large lots, good schools, affordable housing, close proximity to work etc. If you do not want Mello Roos/Hoa I do not understand why you are looking in Aliso Viejo?
Check this house out, I know that is a very nice neighborhood.....
I agree and I have checked each of these locations that you have mentioned. As well, I continue to check them. Fortunately, I have the luxury of additional time for my house hunt, so I am using it and exploring ALL options. From internet searchs, but not from an actual on-site visit, Aliso Viejo offers options that are of interest to me. True, it is further from Orange/Anaheim if it is decided to locate the sales offices with the manufacturing offices. However, AV according to mapquest is only about a 30 minute commute. I was seeking info on this forum if that held true in reality. As fas as I know some mapquests commute approximations may be fairly close given certain routes. I admit that I am still somewhat confused on which interstates, thus routes, will add significantly to commute time and which may be acceptable.
You've also mentioned that you do not like AV because it was built on open green space. Couldn't that hold true for most all of OC? And, if you want to be nitpicky ... anywhere that man resides? I understand your point though, it is difficult to see civilizations' encroachment upon some of our fav areas of natural beauty. I cringed this past summer when I viewed how much the Jackson Hole area is being "settled." Seems our only true choice in limiting human impact is to encourage "green living" as much as possible. In my personal view, much that the Anaheim utilities has offered to the public is what I have come to expect of utility companies. The rebate programs that encourage wiser resource use are becoming much more common, as they should be. Anaheim Utility seems to be doing an excellent job in this and I was very happy to have that information provided.
I feel that the tougher sell is changing peoples mindset. What I mean by this is .... offer people money, they'll line up (though I remember when it was tough to get people to believe that they would receive cash back for buying Energy Star products, if they would just submit the proper paperwork to the utility company). The ease of a community's recycling program is another HUGE factor to be considered. I appreciate pacific2's efforts in advising me of the steps that AV has taken and is taking in green living. Getting people to care about this topic is tough. Even tougher is getting 'green' community wide measures passed that are very often more expensive to implement, at least initially. AV seems to be moving in the right direction in trying to change mindsets. That is of interest to me.
Selfishly, I like to look at pretty views. I like to believe that it encourages me to try to protect it. And, I like natural views vs. city light views.
I've been interrupted at least 14 times in trying to get this reply typed so hopefully I've made a cohesive statement.
I want to hear on each of the communities and am thankful that fellow posters, such as yourself, take the time to reply.
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. Still Aliso is tiny, so it just takes minutes to reach Soka.
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