Good/Bad about living in Orange County (August: sales, month to)

[nevercoldcall]

Originally Posted by Jenali

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.

Well said! That's exactly how it is in Scottsdale and east Phoenix where I lived. If you're not in a brand-new Benz and wearing a gold Rolex, everyone turns their noses up at you and won't even say hi. If you do have the Benz and gold Rolex, they get upset that they can't compete with you. It's absolutely ridiculous. Scottsdale is *THE* definition of phony and pretentious.

Now that we're living in Newport Coast, we're totally amazed at how friendly and down to earth everyone is. I think people must live under the assumption that everyone with a hot car and expensive jewelry will be snobby and so they assume that Newport is snobby, but that's not the case at all. This town is full of the friendliest, most outgoing, polite people I've ever been around in my life. And they treat me just as nicely whether I'm in my new Benz or my girlfriend's well used and dirty Jeep Wrangler ;-) Oh yeah and I don't get dirty looks for wearing jeans like I always did in Arizona.

I also think the complaining about the cost of living in Orange County is a bit overrated. We looked at open houses the other day, just for fun and to get acquainted with different neighborhoods. In one development, the houses, which were all amazing, were priced around $2.5 million.

In Phoenix, those same houses would also cost $2.5 million, if not more, to live in a boring hot dusty desert full of rude phonies and obnoxious white trash.

I think the cost of living in OC is completely justified, and a good deal considering the great qualify of life here.

[OCesspool]

OK, now I gave myself the name "OCesspool" because really the only crappy thing about Orange County is that we're being overrun by illegal aliens.

Our freeways, schools, hospitals, and houses are avercrowded because of illegal immigration. There is and will continue to be plenty of work and housing available to skilled and degreed workers who wish to come here from other states, or LEGALLY from other countries, and these people are welcome here.

With the leveling off of existing home prices and new construction slowing down, hopefully new illegals will stop coming. If parents would quit handing their kids money and actually make them earn it by mowing lawns, washing cars and flipping burgers, we would further cut into the available job market for illegals.

Can you live here with a wife and three kids on a 110K a year salary? Yes, you can if you don't mind making a few sacrifices. My husband makes about 90k a year and we're surviving on his income with just a little extra money from me - I babysit a child on Fridays. My oldest son is in public school, and I have a 2 year old. I drive a 5 year old mini van, my husband drives an 11 year old compact. We just bought our first home for $618k 1 1/2 years ago, so the mortgage and property taxes are a killer, but we manage. We cut coupons, we don't eat out, ever, my husband mows our lawn and washes our cars, we cut our own hair, I don't have fake nails, we don't take extravagant vacations, we rarely buy new clothes, we don't go out to the movies...

I could go on, but I think you get it. Buying your first home in OC is a killer, and the first few years will be a struggle, but if owning your own home gives you the same thrill it does to me, then it's worth all the sacrifices.

As for the "car culture" and the plastic surgery, etc., who gives a crap? I don't care what other people choose to spend their money on. I don't have phony friends.

It is hard to make friends here, I'll admit to that. It's really not because people are shallow. I have noticed that many of the "transplants" come and go so fast that many CA natives are hesitant to work on a long-lasting relationship with others because they know that chances are, their new friend will move away. Just about every friend I have become close to moves out of state. Just last year, my three closest friends moved to South Carolina, New Mexico, and Virginia.

Now, as a homeowner, I have been fortunate enough to move into a fabulous neighborhood full of REAL people! We are a tract of 35 year old homes, the biggest being only 1,700 sq. feet, all one stories on roughly 5,000 sq ft lots. We have small back yards and big front yards, so everyone hangs out in the front. We have a park in the middle of our 135 homes, and we belong to an HOA with a amenities. I have lived here for 1 1/2 years, and I know about 50 of the households here. People are outgoing here. We are constantly invited to BBQs, to watch UFC, to a birthday party, etc. Neighbors are generous to us- they know we're poor since we're new homeowners, and they offer us their gently used clothes and furniture, and we're not so prideful that we can't accept them. I truly consider my neighbors my friends, and my family has become particularily close to another family, and they're natives so they're not going anywhere!

A 2 bedroom home in original (1973) condition will cost you just under $500k, and a 4 bedroom newly remodled 1,700 sq ft can run in the high 700's. We have many original owners still here. It's a good mix of retired people, young families, and newlyweds. We love our neighbors. They are everything we always expected neighbors to be. Do some of them drive big ole SUVs and have fake boobs? Sure, but you know what? They're nice people and their kids are good, and they will share about their personal life over a beer.

To me, this is the REAL Orange County. I am a real housewife, which means I'm willing to forego the material things to stay home with my sons. My husband's income is steadily increasing, and someday, I'll be able to afford a professional haircut and maybe a new car, but until then I am content with what I have. We're not rich, but we manage and I do have the American (California) Dream- a cute little 70's contemporary house that needs some work on a postage stamp of land...and YES! It does have a white picket fence!

[BrentusMaximus]

great post OCesspool. I'd rate your post positively, but The Man says I need to spread around the love first... lol.

I think alot of people have some sort of entitlement issues and refuse to make the sacrifices you've made...and they'll be in debt their entire lives because of it. Not just OCers. Keeping up with the Jonses is all over the place. It just seems to be more prevalent in OC.

When I move to OC next month, I am hoping I don't get caught up in all of that. Things are going to be tight for quite awhile. I hope my '95 Grand Prix keeps on haulin' for a few years, etc. I don't think I can cut my own hair tho...

Coming out of college, however, I have no furniture. I'm going to have to spend some money on that, I suppose. For instance, I won't even have a bed to sleep on my first night...or second... lol

[nevercoldcall]

Originally Posted by OCesspool

Now, as a homeowner, I have been fortunate enough to move into a fabulous neighborhood full of REAL people! We are a tract of 35 year old homes, the biggest being only 1,700 sq. feet, all one stories on roughly 5,000 sq ft lots. We have small back yards and big front yards, so everyone hangs out in the front. We have a park in the middle of our 135 homes, and we belong to an HOA with a amenities. I have lived here for 1 1/2 years, and I know about 50 of the households here. People are outgoing here. We are constantly invited to BBQs, to watch UFC, to a birthday party, etc.

We live in Newport Coast and have had the exact same experience. We've been here for 2 months and already know everyone on our block and have been to several barbecues, have had all the neighbors to our house, and have hung out with our neighbors a lot. Everyone is VERY outgoing ... and this was a HUGE pleasant surprise after moving from Scottsdale, Arizona where the neighbors are too good to even say "hi!"

Orange County is easily the friendliest place, full of the most outgoing people I've ever met. That goes for everywhere, whether it's an older neighborhood or Newport Coast. I get really annoyed at all the bad stereotypes of OC and laugh at the fact that I was apprehensive about moving here because I thought it would be snobby. But after all I *DID* move from Scottsdale, Arizona which is the nastiest, snobbiest place I've ever been.

[OCesspool]

Thanks, BrentusMaximus and Nevercoldcall,

There really are truly wonderful people here, and there are neighborhoods where the people are more than friendly on the surface. Your neighborhood is what you make of it, and all it takes is one family to take the risk to open up and be real, and suddenly you have a culture of neighbors instead of a culture of co-habitators.

I am the co-founder of the Saddleback Valley Neighborhood Alliance. We're a np group that helps neighborhoods take control of their destiny, in a way.

For those of you who would like to get to know your neighbors, a great ice-breaker is starting a Neighborhood Watch group. Contact your city- they'll get you in touch with their resident Crime Prevention Specialist. They'll give you flyers to hand out. Bake some cookies, brew some iced tea, and voila! You've got neighbors. If you already have Neighborhood Watch signs up in your neighborhood, call the city and ask who the captain of your neighborhood watch is. Then go to their house and ask them to resurrect the program, and offer to host the meeting in your home.

BTW- Brentus Maximus...I have some furniture I'm planning on selling. Private message me, and I'll describe what I've got. I'd rather sell it to a newly-graduated college student for a great deal. I hate having garage sales, they attract riff-raff.

[fairweathergolfer]

How is the drive to the beach from Mission Viejo? Is it generally backed up throughout the day? I believe Mission Viejo has its own shopping center. Does it get really backed up driving there on the back roads to/from the residential areas? I was just thinking the main places I go throughout the week are cinemas, restaurants, shopping and beach and wonder if one can enjoy those things relatively easily living in Mission Viejo without having to get on the freeways. Is Mission Viejo pretty hot in the summer?

Originally Posted by smu7070

I believe that Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Irvine, or Newport Beach are ideal places to live. And the fact they are all close to each other makes them even better. The schools in every one of those areas are excellent, and the quality of life is terrific. The downsides are a somewhat high population density and high amounts of traffic on certain occasions. I've lived there so long, however, that I'm used to it now. I don't even think the prices are that high (except in Newport Beach). Additionally, the shopping is excellent in that area.

[Wiener]

Orange County needs mass transit, great weather, lots of traffic.

[nevercoldcall]

Another great idea is block parties. It turns out that my street in Newport Coast has block parties a few times a year - what better way to get to know your neighbors?

I'm really really thankful to live in a community with people like this, having spent the last 7 years in Arizona where neighbors want nothing to do with each other.

[saguarodave]

"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."


I've seen some pretty silly stuff posted on these boards, but that one takes the cake (so to speak). I know several people in O.C. making good money who are not exactly "slim and trim". Or do you think the first consideration when the bank hires a new president is how he/she looks in speedos or a bikini? Get real, you are just parroting some ridiculous (and untrue) SoCal stereotypes!

[Zandar]

Originally Posted by fairweathergolfer

How is the drive to the beach from Mission Viejo? Is it generally backed up throughout the day? I believe Mission Viejo has its own shopping center. Does it get really backed up driving there on the back roads to/from the residential areas? I was just thinking the main places I go throughout the week are cinemas, restaurants, shopping and beach and wonder if one can enjoy those things relatively easily living in Mission Viejo without having to get on the freeways. Is Mission Viejo pretty hot in the summer?

I currently live in Mission Viejo, and have lived in Orange County for over twenty years (El Toro back when it was a city, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, and now Mission Viejo; I get around!).

The drive to the beach is not bad, depending on the day and the beach. If you're going to Strands (read: Salt Creek south for you inlanders), it's pretty easy to find parking and the drive isn't too harsh; call it twenty minutes on a free-flowing day and an hour on a bad day. If you're going to, say, Laguna Beach in the summer . . . good luck. But who goes to Laguna Beach, anyway? j/k

Yes, summers get hot in Mission Viejo. Oppressively hot, in my opinion. I suppose it depends on where you're from, but it's consistent high 90s to low 100s with no ocean breeze to cool things off (indeed, you're more likely to get Santa Ana winds- dry, hot, awful winds; it's like opening up an oven).

No, you will not enjoy life in Mission Viejo without the freeway. But, then, anywhere you live in OC will require substantial freeway travel, which isn't too bad outside of rush hour (~7-9am and 4-6pm).

Hope that helps!