aliso viejo or foothll ranch (Irvine, Mission Viejo: for sale, condos, work)

[HomeSeeker28]

hi everyone.. i need an opinion on which city is a better area-aliso viejo or foothill ranch? with the high inventory of homes for sale, i'm ready to purchase my first home and want to live in a nice, quiet, and safe area that central to shops and dining. i work in irvine, ca and these cities are close in proximity, but i'm curious about the demographics of the two and which would be more ideal for a young, single woman with no kids.

any input will be greatly appreciated!

[JakeDog]

Both are very family centric, but aliso viejo is a bit closer to single oriented areas and would probably have slightly more diversity.

[kturbe]

They are very similar except for location and there are lot's singles who live in both. Aliso Viejo is a little more expensive as you get closer to the beach. You may also want to check out Portola Hills, just up from Foothill, which isn't as much cookie cutter as Foothill. The demographics for the Foothill/Portola area are about 50% singles/50% married.

I work with lot's singles in the area buying homes and more seem to be moving inland for pricing and security.

Contact me direct if you need any more information.

[missionhome]

I think there are many more single people in Aliso Viejo. Still many families, but closer to the beach where younger residents are. Foothill Ranch is nice, but a little far away from everything when you aren't just going to the shopping center right there.

[HomeSeeker28]

Thanks for the great input Although I've worked in Irvine for the past 10 years, I never familiarized myself with the neighboring cities. After reading through these forums and your replies I have a much better sense if the areas.

Foothill Ranch is definitely a nice area, but I don't like how it's so far from the freeway. Same goes with Portola Hills. I'm leaning more towards Aliso Viejo now because it looks very nice and quiet. I'm not really into the nightlife, but I would like to be close to the shops and restaurants. Is there a mall in that area? Or is Laguna Hills Mall and The Spectrum the closest ones? Is there a main street that runs through the city?

I guess I should spend a weekend out there...

[kturbe]

Their is also Mission Viejo Mall down off of Crown Valley Pkwy and the 5. I would recommend hanging out in the areas, having lunch etc in the area were you are thinking. Both cities have nice town centers, but with Aliso you are close to Laguna so that is a certainly a plus. Keep in mind pricing, taxes, assocations may be slightly higher as you get closer to the beach.

Best of luck!

[milk]

Property tax in Aliso Viejo is High and living by the toll road gets expensive. It is hard not to use it.

[bob-jenkins]

Aliso Viejo is an amazing community with lots of condo's for singles. Foothill Ranch is...cookie cutter and hot. Plus, it is torched from that fire last year (the surrounding hillsides that you would have to stare out everyday).

[kturbe]

Originally Posted by bob-jenkins

Aliso Viejo is an amazing community with lots of condo's for singles. Foothill Ranch is...cookie cutter and hot. Plus, it is torched from that fire last year (the surrounding hillsides that you would have to stare out everyday).

Bob, there are plenty of homes in Foothill that don't border where the fire was. Plus with all the rain it is quickly becoming green.

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by bob-jenkins

Aliso Viejo is an amazing community with lots of condo's for singles. Foothill Ranch is...cookie cutter and hot. Plus, it is torched from that fire last year (the surrounding hillsides that you would have to stare out everyday).

Yes, Foothill is hotter, but how is it any more cookie cutter? The architecture is Aliso Viejo and Foothill Ranch is both almost the exact same. They both are just tan stucco homes and condos, so what is the difference in quality? The Town Center in both areas looks almost the exact same also, so what is the difference?