Any signs of a housing bubble in OC, specifically Irvine? (Diablo: homeowners insurance, home)

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Finper

During the worst drought here we could only water 2 days a week and then the water companies raised our rates because they weren't getting enough money in They also had a rebate program where the state would give you money if you'd rip out your lawn and plant succulents instead but it turned out to only be huge lawns. Now all new builds have to have only succulents and native Ca fauna no more grass allowed. Which is fine with me. I find grass very boring.

Sorry about the delay in replying! Thank you, actually I didn’t notice this until I read your comment. All the new builds don’t have grass backyards! It makes sense now lol. I love having a nice grassy backyard, but I’m fine without it because it costs a lot to keep looking nice, so I don’t mind either way.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by capoeira

I think the area in San Diego most similar to Irvine is Carmel Valley. This is the area east of Del Mar. It has excellent schools and a large percentage of asians.

https://school-ratings.com/school_de...560114686.html

The authentic asian food in San Diego is primarily found in the Kearny Mesa area. There is a Mitsuwa Marketplace, an Hmart and a couple of 99 Ranch Markets. There are many authentic restaurants along Convoy St. The City Heights neighborhood also many Vietnamese restaurants.

San Diego has more interesting neighborhoods compared to Orange County like Hillcrest, North Park, the Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla Village. It also has easily accessible outdoor activity such as hiking in Mission Trails Regional Park.

There is enough asian food in San Diego for most people but it does not compare with the incredible offerings of the LA/OC area. Monterey Park, Alhambra and San Gabriel are incredible for Chinese food. Rowland Heights also has a concentration of authentic Chinese restaurants. LA has Koreatown and Garden Grove also has many Korean restaurants. LA has Little Tokyo and Thai Town. There is a Little Cambodia in Long Beach and a Little India in Artesia. Little Saigon in Westminster is the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam.

I have lived in both places. I like Orange County for the great variety of food choices. I like San Diego for the more relaxed vibe and less jammed traffic.

Also sorry about the delay! Thank you for your post. I was looking at homes in Carmel Valley, and in my price point with the criteria, not many listings show up, but I will definitely be watching it. That’s great regarding the grocery choices, honestly having those nearby would be amazing in itself. Thanks again for all the information, I’m making note of everything you wrote.

[Dub D]

Also to note,

Orange County sucks compared with San Diego. I lived in San Diego for 3 years, in Irvine now for about a year. Orange County is horrible. Cost of living is I'd say 15-20% more and the traffic here is wayyyy worse. I hardly ever experienced weekend traffic in San Diego outside of the beach area or an event.

The only and I literally mean the only pro Orange County has over San Diego is the job market. I am looking to head back to San Diego.

Not sure why you are fancying Orange County and Irvine is the fastest growing city is the nation so prices are only going up. And with so much foreign money in this city, I don't think that prices will drop as hard if there is a recession.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Dub D

Also to note,

Orange County sucks compared with San Diego. I lived in San Diego for 3 years, in Irvine now for about a year. Orange County is horrible. Cost of living is I'd say 15-20% more and the traffic here is wayyyy worse. I hardly ever experienced weekend traffic in San Diego outside of the beach area or an event.

The only and I literally mean the only pro Orange County has over San Diego is the job market. I am looking to head back to San Diego.

Not sure why you are fancying Orange County and Irvine is the fastest growing city is the nation so prices are only going up. And with so much foreign money in this city, I don't think that prices will drop as hard if there is a recession.

Thanks for the response!


Is traffic bad within Irvine as well or just the surrounding areas? Also, speaking of the job market, are most good jobs in/around Irvine or an hour+ commute to/from LA?


I work from home and my girl-friend is a realtor, but she might want to switch careers if we move because starting up as a new realtor all over again is like going from a managerial position (current market) to stock room.


I haven't spent a lot of time in Irvine, but have stopped there a few times during road trips and always thought it looked really nice. From just searching on redfin, it seems Irvine has a lot more properties for sale in my price range than the good areas of San Diego. I've stayed in San Diego a couple times, but only in La Jolla, which I really loved, but definitely out of my budget. Carmel Valley was recommended to me, but there were only a few listings in my budget where as Irvine has a lot. Any other areas I'm missing in San Diego? I will also check out San Diego too when I come in Dec/Jan.

[Finper]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Sorry about the delay in replying! Thank you, actually I didn’t notice this until I read your comment. All the new builds don’t have grass backyards! It makes sense now lol. I love having a nice grassy backyard, but I’m fine without it because it costs a lot to keep looking nice, so I don’t mind either way.

The new builds don't even have backyards anymore..... they have large patios called outdoor retreats. If you want grass and backyards check out old houses built in the 60's. HB and Fountain Valley is full of them

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Any other areas I'm missing in San Diego? I will also check out San Diego too when I come in Dec/Jan.

I recommend checking out Tierrasanta(92124). This area is very convenient to the asian stores and restaurants in Kearny Mesa. The traffic within Tierrasanta is quite light because there are no through streets. It is a very scenic and pleasant area.

One can access hiking in Mission Trail Park by going to the trailhead at the end of Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Also there is a scenic view point on Viacha Dr.

The elementary schools are 9/10 with a few asians and all of the 1970's-1990's homes are under your price range. The high school is just ok. Some homes near the canyons will have fire risk.


Scripps Ranch has 10 rated schools with a decent amount of asians. However it is a huge fire risk. Many homes were destroyed in the Cedar Fire in 2003. A good friend of mine used to live in Scripps Ranch and fortunately he sold his home a couple years before it burned down.

The Poway school district has great schools with asian students. It includes Poway, Carmel Mountain Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. These hot inland places remind me of San Ramon and Pleasanton. There is a lot of northbound rush hour traffic on the 15 freeway.

In Orange County the Sunny Hills neighborhood in Fullerton has lots of asians and some 10 ranked schools. Its mostly older homes with large lots and no hoas, almost the opposite of Irvine. This area is closer to the many activities in LA.

https://school-ratings.com/school_de...066028088.html

There are many other choices for good schools in OC. One can use the CA school website to check past test scores and demographics.

https://school-ratings.com/counties/...=&rankFilter=9

[NewbieHere]

Originally Posted by Finper

The new builds don't even have backyards anymore..... they have large patios called outdoor retreats. If you want grass and backyards check out old houses built in the 60's. HB and Fountain Valley is full of them

They are considered marsh, I would not buy there.
https://bolsachica.org/the-wetlands/ecology/

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Finper

The new builds don't even have backyards anymore..... they have large patios called outdoor retreats. If you want grass and backyards check out old houses built in the 60's. HB and Fountain Valley is full of them

Thanks! I actually don't mind not having a traditional yard anymore. I have a feeling I'll miss it, but right now I'm also a bit over it having to spend so much on it lol. It's more important to me to have a modern/updated property than yard. One of my properties here is on a lake where I can kayak from my yard or fish and catch 5 large mouth bass within 30 minutes, so any yard would be a step down, so location and updated-ness will be more important to me.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by NewbieHere

They are considered marsh, I would not buy there.
https://bolsachica.org/the-wetlands/ecology/

Are you talking about where the new builds are or HB & Fountain Valley? Thanks!

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by capoeira

I recommend checking out Tierrasanta(92124). This area is very convenient to the asian stores and restaurants in Kearny Mesa. The traffic within Tierrasanta is quite light because there are no through streets. It is a very scenic and pleasant area.

One can access hiking in Mission Trail Park by going to the trailhead at the end of Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Also there is a scenic view point on Viacha Dr.

The elementary schools are 9/10 with a few asians and all of the 1970's-1990's homes are under your price range. The high school is just ok. Some homes near the canyons will have fire risk.

Scripps Ranch has 10 rated schools with a decent amount of asians. However it is a huge fire risk. Many homes were destroyed in the Cedar Fire in 2003. A good friend of mine used to live in Scripps Ranch and fortunately he sold his home a couple years before it burned down.

The Poway school district has great schools with asian students. It includes Poway, Carmel Mountain Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. These hot inland places remind me of San Ramon and Pleasanton. There is a lot of northbound rush hour traffic on the 15 freeway.

In Orange County the Sunny Hills neighborhood in Fullerton has lots of asians and some 10 ranked schools. Its mostly older homes with large lots and no hoas, almost the opposite of Irvine. This area is closer to the many activities in LA.

https://school-ratings.com/school_de...066028088.html

There are many other choices for good schools in OC. One can use the CA school website to check past test scores and demographics.

https://school-ratings.com/counties/...=&rankFilter=9

I actually was looking at redfin in this area (Tierrasanta), it's good to know it's a decent area to search, I wasn't sure, but looking on google maps it looked nice. Good to know regarding Scripps, wild fires scare me more than hurricanes. I do like landscaped streets, new looking buildings, so I can pass on Fullerton by the sound of it. I'll check out the other areas mentioned too. Thanks again!