Good/Bad about living in Orange County (Santa Ana, Irvine: coupons, HOA)

[isoucie]

You don't necessarily have to live in NB or Irvine or Huntington.... If you are willing to do some driving and put up with some traffic, you could live in North OC (Yorba Linda, Brea) - it's cheaper and the people are a little more down to earth. You would still be within a half hour (with no traffic) drive of the beach, South Coast Plaza, etc. It's not as sexy as NB, but it probably won't be as much of a culture shock. If you are about status and image, you'll want to live in Newport... if not, you have a lot more options available to you.

The reality is that yes, it is very image oriented and the people I know who have come here from the East Coast have had a really hard time adjusting to it.

If you happen to have hobbies that tend to draw interesting people, you might have an easier time with it. So, if you were really into art or tango dancing, you'll have a much easier time. If you're expecting to move to NB and just go out to bars and the beach and meet people... You better have the right look and right attitude or people will not give you the time of day. And if you are hoping to learn how to surf when you get here, take the time to seriously understand surf culture first. Cannot emphasize that enough...

Lastly, if you have a serious job that requires you to sleep at night and wake up refreshed, stay off of the Peninsula in Newport. People often party until 2 or 3 am (LOUDLY) all week long and if you happen to have neighbors like that, you will be miserable. And no, people in NB don't take nice requests to please quiet down; they'll cuss you out and threaten you; forcing you to call the police to deal with it.

[dakicka]

yikes!!
btw how is san diego in this respect? the people, meeting friends, the flashiness, the cars, showoffs, and a certain "look", thanks!

Originally Posted by isoucie

You don't necessarily have to live in NB or Irvine or Huntington.... If you are willing to do some driving and put up with some traffic, you could live in North OC (Yorba Linda, Brea) - it's cheaper and the people are a little more down to earth. You would still be within a half hour (with no traffic) drive of the beach, South Coast Plaza, etc. It's not as sexy as NB, but it probably won't be as much of a culture shock. If you are about status and image, you'll want to live in Newport... if not, you have a lot more options available to you.

The reality is that yes, it is very image oriented and the people I know who have come here from the East Coast have had a really hard time adjusting to it.

If you happen to have hobbies that tend to draw interesting people, you might have an easier time with it. So, if you were really into art or tango dancing, you'll have a much easier time. If you're expecting to move to NB and just go out to bars and the beach and meet people... You better have the right look and right attitude or people will not give you the time of day. And if you are hoping to learn how to surf when you get here, take the time to seriously understand surf culture first. Cannot emphasize that enough...

Lastly, if you have a serious job that requires you to sleep at night and wake up refreshed, stay off of the Peninsula in Newport. People often party until 2 or 3 am (LOUDLY) all week long and if you happen to have neighbors like that, you will be miserable. And no, people in NB don't take nice requests to please quiet down; they'll cuss you out and threaten you; forcing you to call the police to deal with it.

[onyx]

I don't understand why anyone in their right mind would want to relocated to the O.C. unless they have no other choices in life. Believe me, we have given the O.C. many chances year after year; and our final decision is a GO! Trust me on this one! we combined make over $200k and we still decide to leave coz quality of life is just not there and you don't get what you pay for. It gets more pricey & run-down & congested by the DAY!!!! you would see shopping carts, trash, everywhere on the street, in front of the house, even in south O.C. it is very over-rated in many aspected.

[daddy]

Originally Posted by Russel

America is the best country in the world. California is the best state in the USA. Orange county is the best county in California. The beach areas of Orange county are obviously the best places you can find anywhere. Therefore, if you live close to the beach in Orange county you live in the best place in the world.

1. When you live here for a long time you feel the weather change. The weather in Orange county is NOT boring but beautiful. If you don't like anything else the least you can complain about is the California weather.

2. The area is economically diversified and businesses are prospering. If you cannot find a good job here that means you must go back to school to get additional qualifications. You cannot get lazy in Orange county and be successful.

3. It is important to look good in Orange county. That means you have to look after yourself. Orange county will not allow anyone to neglect their body and demand a high pay. It is not going to happen.

4. The area is culturally diversified. There many Asians, Middle Easterners, Mexicans and also the blond white people. Sorry if it bothers anyone. We have incredible Chinese, Indian, Thai, Japanese cuisine - all kinds of restaurants.

5. As for shopping, very few places on this planet can match the quality and variety of Orange county. The South Coast Plaza and the Fashion Island are the best of the very best anywhere.

6. The Performing Arts Center, the Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Barclay Theatre are again the best of the very best. In fact, the combination of the Orange County Performing Arts Center together with the Segerstrom Hall at least from the architectural point of view is more impressive than the Lincoln Center in New York.

7. Los Angeles with all its diversity is only 1.5 hours away. San Diego is also close by. Las Vegas is 3.5 - 4 hours away. The Palm Springs area with a totally different climate and atmosphere is only 2 hours away.

8. The housing is expensive because people understand the value and they want to live in Orange county. Obviously, it creates a high demand. Those who expect a huge housing price reduction/collapse are living in a fantasy. There are many people from all over the world ready to move here.

9. The traffic is not good but it is not any different from the big metropolitan centers in other parts of the country.

10. Considering that life is not a dress rehearsal but a one-time shot it makes good sense to live in a place that offers the best weather, services, employment/business opportunities, beautiful beaches, etc. etc.

Very good Mr. Russel!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[Angel Bear]

Orange County is the best of the very best

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

America is the best country in the world. California is the best state in the USA. Orange county is the best county in California. The beach areas of Orange county are obviously the best places you can find anywhere. Therefore, if you live close to the beach in Orange county you live in the best place in the world.

1. When you live here for a long time you feel the weather change. The weather in Orange county is NOT boring but beautiful. If you don't like anything else the least you can complain about is the California weather.

2. The area is economically diversified and businesses are prospering. If you cannot find a good job here that means you must go back to school to get additional qualifications. You cannot get lazy in Orange county and be successful.

3. It is important to look good in Orange county. That means you have to look after yourself. Orange county will not allow anyone to neglect their body and demand a high pay. It is not going to happen.

4. The area is culturally diversified. There many Asians, Middle Easterners, Mexicans and also the blond white people. Sorry if it bothers anyone. We have incredible Chinese, Indian, Thai, Japanese cuisine - all kinds of restaurants.

5. As for shopping, very few places on this planet can match the quality and variety of Orange county. The South Coast Plaza and the Fashion Island are the best of the very best anywhere.

6. The Performing Arts Center, the Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Barclay Theatre are again the best of the very best. In fact, the combination of the Orange County Performing Arts Center together with the Segerstrom Hall at least from the architectural point of view is more impressive than the Lincoln Center in New York.

7. Los Angeles with all its diversity is only 1.5 hours away. San Diego is also close by. Las Vegas is 3.5 - 4 hours away. The Palm Springs area with a totally different climate and atmosphere is only 2 hours away.

8. The housing is expensive because people understand the value and they want to live in Orange county. Obviously, it creates a high demand. Those who expect a huge housing price reduction/collapse are living in a fantasy. There are many people from all over the world ready to move here.

9. The traffic is not good but it is not any different from the big metropolitan centers in other parts of the country.

10. Considering that life is not a dress rehearsal but a one-time shot it makes good sense to live in a place that offers the best weather, services, employment/business opportunities, beautiful beaches, etc. etc.

Russell, you rock!

Love your attitude

[nevercoldcall]

I'm with Russell!

Coming from Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, OC is SOOOOO much better! However, it makes you realize that everything is relative. After visiting NY/NJ where I'm originally from, returning to Scottsdale was like paradise, however, after being in Newport, Scottsdale looked like garbage. It's all relative.

Perhaps that's why I find people in OC, including Newport, to be friendly and down-to-earth ... in Scottsdale, people were the most obnoxious and self-absorbed I'd ever seen in my life. OC and even LA were extremely friendly to me after having lived there for several years.

What really did it for me was that as a guy with earrings, living in Phoenix/Scottsdale, I got dirty looks from people constantly. However, that has not happened even once in Newport, even at expensive restaurants like Ocean Club and Sage in Newport Coast. I've also found people to be a lot friendlier and more open than in Arizona.

On the whole "looks" and status thing, I'm not a snob and am very friendly, but at the same time I respect people who look good and dress well and, quite honestly, I'm offended by people who are not well-dressed walking into nice restaurants and the like (I guess that's the NY in me). So I really don't see why anyone has such a major problem with people who look good.

[ScooterMama]

THANK YOU! We just relocated for a short time to Scottsdale... then my husband's company bought another company here in Irvine, so we got to move back to our house that thankfully didn't sell!!! We're THRILLED to be back in the OC & will never even consider leaving it again. (By the way, we came here from Chicago 'burbs 2-1/2 years ago)

[nevercoldcall]

Originally Posted by ScooterMama

THANK YOU! We just relocated for a short time to Scottsdale... then my husband's company bought another company here in Irvine, so we got to move back to our house that thankfully didn't sell!!! We're THRILLED to be back in the OC & will never even consider leaving it again. (By the way, we came here from Chicago 'burbs 2-1/2 years ago)

Congrats! Glad you got to move back to Irvine! I'm curious what you thought of Scottsdale, if you found it to be as pretentious and snobby as I have.

[Jenali]

The only negative I can think of about OC (especially coastal and the south)is the expenses ,if one can afford living here a decent life ..then there 's no better place to be in .
Away from the real estate high prices ,what would anyone don't like about OC ?plz don't tell me ppl who drive Benz (unless u believe that a car defines a person ),most of rich ppl no matter where tend to drive expensive cars bcoz they can afford it .
BTW,the republicans I met here are among the most polite ,respectable, friendly and welcoming ppl I have ever met in my life(I am as liberal as it gets btw) .

I ,too ,moved from Az (Tucson)and though the majority of ppl there were very nice ,but sorry not the majority of the foothills area (where I used to live),if you don't drive a Benz ,ur not a good golfer ,ur house is not built by a famous architect and worth 1mil plus , you dont wear European designer clothes, then no one will bother talking to you or even saying hi ,or just a smile .Not just that you wont fit in ,but they will show it to you that u don't belong there.

[jksouthbay88]

There is only one bad thing about the OC
too expensive
other than that that is where I would be when I grow up.