What's the deal with Corona? (Santa Ana, Anaheim: how much, houses, safe area)

[movestoomuch]

I have been looking at houses on Realtor (dot) com and I've noticed that there are so many more houses with larger lots and much larger houses than say Irvine.

I have not been to the area so I have no idea what it is like. However, there is a small chance I may be working in Irvine and I was looking at houses up to 750K and there were a ton that were in Corona. I'd like to stay 10-15 miles of Irvine (I don't know what area of Irvine yet.) Will I be on the wrong side of town only being able to afford this amount? I'm blown away by how many expensive homes there are here!!!!!

I need a house that is at least 3000 square feet. Anyone have an idea of SAFE areas that have larger homes?

Here are some ares that have large homes that I thought were nice.

Mission Viejo, Corona, Yorba Linda, San Clemente, Tustin, and Santa Ana, Coto De Caza (I noticed there are like 10 MILLION dollar homes there - must be way on the other side of town), to name a few. I'm not looking for a big yard, just a larger house.

Anyone have any suggestions or comments about these areas?

Thank you!

[movestoomuch]

Santa Margerita? Rancho Santa Margerita? Nice? Safe?

La Habra? Safe? Nice?

I now know that Anaheim is out. As is Fullerton.

Anything else?

Also - what are your electric bills on what square footage? Thanks again!

[EscapeCalifornia]

The big problem with Corona is that it puts on you the 91 freeway twice a day. Ugh.

The big draw to Irvine are the good schools. Buyers in Irvine will pay a big premium and live 6" from their neighbors for those good schools.

If Anaheim is out, Santa Ana is definitely out. Anaheim Hills is nice though. La Habra isn't even as nice as Fullerton but maybe a step above Anaheim.

Yorba Linda, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, parts of Tustin, and Rancho Santa Margarita are nice, safe, areas.

[bhcompy]

Newport Coast is McMansion city, probably works for you

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Newport Coast is McMansion city, probably works for you

For $750k though?

[movestoomuch]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

The big problem with Corona is that it puts on you the 91 freeway twice a day. Ugh.

The big draw to Irvine are the good schools. Buyers in Irvine will pay a big premium and live 6" from their neighbors for those good schools.

If Anaheim is out, Santa Ana is definitely out. Anaheim Hills is nice though. La Habra isn't even as nice as Fullerton but maybe a step above Anaheim.

Yorba Linda, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, parts of Tustin, and Rancho Santa Margarita are nice, safe, areas.

I have heard about the famous California traffic.

Are there other ways to get to places without using the 91?

I'm trying to stay about 10-15 miles of Irvine.

I totally get the good schools thing. We did that when we lived in Scottsdale, AZ. It helps with resale values too. Lucky me though, my kids are in college!

So La Habra is out too. Okay, there are so many other places to look. Man, coming from Nashville, your houses are EXPENSIVE!!!!

I have no desire to live there, but my daughter was wondering how far is LA? Are the studios in LA? I have been to Disney and to LA, but only to the touristy spots. I'm coming in blind!!!!

[movestoomuch]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Newport Coast is McMansion city, probably works for you

Doubtful. It's all 10-15 MILLION dollar homes.

I can't even afford the first million!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by movestoomuch

I have heard about the famous California traffic.

Are there other ways to get to places without using the 91?

I'm trying to stay about 10-15 miles of Irvine.

I totally get the good schools thing. We did that when we lived in Scottsdale, AZ. It helps with resale values too. Lucky me though, my kids are in college!

So La Habra is out too. Okay, there are so many other places to look. Man, coming from Nashville, your houses are EXPENSIVE!!!!

I have no desire to live there, but my daughter was wondering how far is LA? Are the studios in LA? I have been to Disney and to LA, but only to the touristy spots. I'm coming in blind!!!!

The 91 is the only practical route through the Santa Ana Canyon. The 241 connects Irvine to the 91 but its a toll route. The 91 Express Lanes take you from Corona to the 91/55 interchange but you can't access them from the 241 and they're very expensive. The houses in Corona might look cheap but once you factor in the added transportation costs, time, and higher electric bills due to the hotter climate, its not as much of a deal as it might first appear.

Lake Forest and Mission Viejo are both nice area and close to Irvine. Watch out for something called Mello Roos. You can look it up on Wikipedia but the short story is that it'll cost you a lot every month. Only areas developed after 1982 might have it.

Large houses and lots are not the norm out here. Even many areas that do have large houses are still 6 feet apart.

[movestoomuch]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

The 91 is the only practical route through the Santa Ana Canyon. The 241 connects Irvine to the 91 but its a toll route. The 91 Express Lanes take you from Corona to the 91/55 interchange but you can't access them from the 241 and they're very expensive. The houses in Corona might look cheap but once you factor in the added transportation costs, time, and higher electric bills due to the hotter climate, its not as much of a deal as it might first appear.

Lake Forest and Mission Viejo are both nice area and close to Irvine. Watch out for something called Mello Roos. You can look it up on Wikipedia but the short story is that it'll cost you a lot every month. Only areas developed after 1982 might have it.

Large houses and lots are not the norm out here. Even many areas that do have large houses are still 6 feet apart.

Thanks for the details. A couple of questions, why is it hotter in Corona?
And how much are these highways?
Aren't there side streets?
Ugh - the dreaded electric bills. It'll be like back in AZ. Our electric bills are CHEAP here.
I'm okay with the houses being crowded together. (Believe it or not)
After living in Scottsdale where we did not have a very big yard and the houses were all close together I'm used to it.
Thank you once again for your help!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by movestoomuch

Thanks for the details. A couple of questions, why is it hotter in Corona?
And how much are these highways?
Aren't there side streets?
Ugh - the dreaded electric bills. It'll be like back in AZ. Our electric bills are CHEAP here.
I'm okay with the houses being crowded together. (Believe it or not)
After living in Scottsdale where we did not have a very big yard and the houses were all close together I'm used to it.
Thank you once again for your help!

Geography. The climate gets warmer very quickly when you get away from the ocean. On a summer day, it might be 72 in Newport Beach, 85 in Fullerton, and 95 or more in Corona. Corona, being part of the Inland Empire, is largely cut off from the cool ocean breezes by the mountains.

The 91 freeway cuts through a narrow canyon between the mountains. It a natural choke point. There's no side streets that go all the way though as far as I know. The 91 Express lanes vary their rate depending on time of day and day of the week. I think the peak rate is somewhere around $11 now one way.

The electric bills might even be worse than Arizona if you live inland since our rates are pretty high. Its tiered so the more you use, the more each KwH costs you. It doesn't take that much usage to be paying $0.30/KwH or more. Expect electricity to get even more expensive as AB32 kicks in.