moving from Chicago to Cali - but where? (San Diego, Riverside: ski resorts, real estate)

[windycitychicago]

Hi - moving from Chicago to Cali in two years, we were thinking N Cali (California private communities – private golf and residential community - Winchester Country Club ) in a nice gated community, however now I am leaning more towards S Cali? I have no idea where?? My family is in San Fran but want to go someplace warmer so we can have a pool and do more boating .

Does anyone know of any nice gated communities in S Cali? We have a 5 year old so want to be around other young hip families..we are retiring in a couple of years so we'll have lots of spare time to play golf, tennis, swim, etc.

Thanks a bunch for any insight...

my email is: vanceandginger@yahoo.com

[missionhome]

I think Ladera Ranch would be a good fit for you. It is a new development just east of Mission Viejo in south Orange County. This is a very nice and safe area. In fact, Mission Viejo is rated the fourth safest city in the USA for its population group. Ladera is full of young families and it is the new "hip" place to live down here. There is one gated neighborhood in Ladera called Covenant Hills and the rest of Ladera isn't gated. Winchester looked like most homes were in the 1-2 million dollar range and that is true for Ladera Ranch as well.
Nearby-
Golf- Mission Viejo Country Club is a ten minute drive and so is the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club (not private). There are tennis courts throughout each little "village" in Ladera. Many homes have pools and there are community pools and "kid waterparks" throughout the development. Shopping at the Shops at Mission Viejo Mall with Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, etc..

Note: When searching for homes in Ladera, you usually have to put in Mission Viejo as the city on the MLS search engines.
Websites:
Ladera Ranch, Orange County California New Homes
Sample homes:
California Real Estate | Listing Information

California Real Estate | Listing Information

California Real Estate | Listing Information

California Real Estate | Listing Information

Also, some nice Mission Viejo homes with pools:
California Real Estate | Listing Information

California Real Estate | Listing Information

California Real Estate | Listing Information

California Real Estate | Listing Information

Here is a thread with pictures of the city of Mission Viejo, I don't have any photos of Ladera, but you can find them. It is very nice and new.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/orang...lp-please.html
Ask as many questions as you want.

[hgclyde]

So Cal has plenty of gated communities spread in all 7 counties. The major factor is price:Orange and San Diego are expensive. l master planned community that includes some active adult homes that are set aside for adults 55 and older.

Here are some examples: In Menifee in Riverside County has Orchid and Primrose at Pacific Mayfield by Pacific Communities. Orchid and Primrose are Active adult neighborhood in the communities (www.pacificcommunities (broken link).)

Sycamore Creek Corona's Temescal Valley is a community south of Corona is fast growing area is good area to raise a family. Mira Loma have building plenty of family friendly area just north of Corona.

Look into Temecula and Murrieta south of Corona, lots of Activites, golf, hiking and biking, boating in Lake Skinner and Diamond Valley Lake, the area is the heart of Southern California wine country and is and 1 to 2 hours away from Beaches, San Diego, Palm Springs; Southern California mountain ski resorts in Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Wrightwood and Big Bear Lake,

In Orange County, there is Tustin's Villages of Columbus set on the former Tustin Marine Corp base building variety of homes, Schools,Offices and the newly opened District at Tustin Mall.

Irvine has Woodbury and Portola Ridge beautiful communities with top notch schools, very high quality of life and and constantly ranked one of the safest cities of it size in the nation. Plenty of Shopping and dining options in town.

In San Bernadino County look into Rancho Cucamonga,great schools, Shopping at Victoria Gardens mall and Ontario Mills Mall in neighboring Ontario. Chino Hills also has top rated schools with semi rural living in some neighborhoods very, very safe.

To the east of Rancho Cucamonga, Loma Linda and Redlands are great college towns that are adjacent to each other and a great quality of life and schools Loma Linda is home to Loma Linda University and the university hospital the premier hosiptal in San Bernadino County. Redlands is home to the University of Redlands a small private college.
and very good liberal arts school.

I hope that this helps.

[missionhome]

If you can afford a home in the million dollar range, I would take a home in Orange County over Riverside. If you can't, Riverside is an option, but not as desirable or exclusive. There are more high paying jobs in Orange County too.

[vance]

You'll love living in Southern California. My wife and I have been here for 7 years (we live 3 miles from the ocean in Laguna Niguel in a guard gated community) and unfortunately are in the process of selling our house and moving to Arizona due to a job transfer. You can buy my house if you want?