Which Community In Irvine-commute To Buena Park (Los Angeles, Orange: to rent, house)

[Mrs whirlybird]

Hi
I am trying to find a good safe area, where my children are ok to play outside on their bikes, play with neighbours kids and do what any 10yr, 12yr olds do. Would like a 4 bed single family detached house with a reasonable size back yard, to rent. If possible would like to beable to walk children to school rather than take the car. Also have a 3yr old. I have read so much about time being spent in traffic! I understand the area is broken down into communities. Any-one any ideas of a nice friendly community where you can get to know your neighbours socially. I am from the UK and although we can be quite reserved here we are able to socialize and be a descent citizen to our neighbours. Do these things exist in Irvine!!!

Any-one able to tell me the distance from say zip code ca92602 to ca 90621, which is Buena park area, where my husband will be working. Obviously a house in Irvine nearest to Buena Park would be ideal. Also ideas welcomed as to where we could live apart from Irvine that would be close to Buena Park area, again clean safe, good schools etc. Not stuck on Irvine just been told its a good area. But hey I am a native person coming to this part of the Country!!

Also can someone tell me how your schools in Cali work out. What ages do they start and end for Kiddergarden,same again for elementary school and high school.I am taking it that whatever age the child is they would be in grade ?

Looking forward to any suggestions, on any of my topics.

Mrs Whirlybird

[Cali-girl]

Hello!

To start, having lived in Irvine (Turtlerock), I would say any of the schools would be good for your child as test scores for Irvine Unified are very high. Just make sure that the school is within walking distance of your home. A few years ago, the School Board moved boundaries to include new development and closed a neighborhood school. Needless to say, parents were outraged (and justifiably so).

Turtlerock elementary schools are very good - they also have a traditional school year with summers off. If you want year-round school, you may want to rent in another village within Irvine because those schools are set up for year-round. Tustin has good neighborhoods and a few good schools that are off Culver near Irvine. I do not know if Irvine Unified is managing these new schools in Tustin since the arguing about that was taking place when we moved. Maybe another poster can update us.

This site from the CA Dept of Education has the test scores for various schools. Generally, the better the school district, the higher the rent and home costs. Its just that way in CA (as elsewhere, I think).
This is for the Star Report scores (enter Orange County):

http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2006/Viewreport.asp

This is for the APR test scores:

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar/index.asp

There is a Metro Rail Station in Irvine Spectrum. You may want to consider commuting by transit due to the traffic. Bus info is on the Orange County Transit website (which also has a link for Metro Rail) Lots of business people and college students commute by train, especially in the a.m.:

http://www.octa.net/

HTH!

~Cali-girl

[dennismpat]

Hello there,

If you're looking at nice, safe communities near Buena Park (as an alternative to Irvine, which is a very nice area), the two I can think of right away are the neighboring cities of La Palma and Cypress, both of which border Buena Park. Another nice city near Buena Park is Cerritos, which is actually located in Los Angeles County.

The commute to Buena Park from Irvine in the morning would average between 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic, of course.

I don't have children, so I can't help you as far as the quality of schools in the three cities I mentioned, though I would think they're good, as all these cities have large Asian populations (and they're picky about what schools their kids attend).

I hope this has been helpful!

[Mrs whirlybird]

Thanks for your input into alternative areas to live. I am already browsing the net and looking at them. Still difficult to tell how good these places are unless you've seen them! However, if my husband accepts this offer of a job then I shall beable to come out to Cali in early February, so I shall be lining up all these areas to look at, along with the schools.

Good one Dennismpat, Thanks!!!

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by Mrs whirlybird

Thanks for your input into alternative areas to live. I am already browsing the net and looking at them. Still difficult to tell how good these places are unless you've seen them! However, if my husband accepts this offer of a job then I shall beable to come out to Cali in early February, so I shall be lining up all these areas to look at, along with the schools.

Good one Dennismpat, Thanks!!!

Mrs. Whirlybird,

You're very welcome! Yes, seeing the information and pictures on the Internet is a whole lot different than actually seeing the places in person. Good thing you're coming out here to take a look for yourself. I wish you and your family all the best.

Happy New Year!

[jerrycat]

hi Mrs whirlybird,
i live in Irvine in a gated com. it's ok nice when my husband is away,we have a gym,swimming pool and spa and they even change the light bulb if it goes! i live nearer to Newport beach which has some nice places. The schools in Turtle Rock are good, but not as good as our schools.
I can see the smog at the bottom of the hills as i come over the 73 but im ok here and i have asthma, as for earthquakes well it's part of life here if it happens ( i look at this way you could get run over by bus)
the weather is great all that sunshine, Americans are not so forward in making friends as we do it takes time, i am told.
would i go back to England ummhhh
come visit you have to see it, if you want to meet up when you are here let me know
jerrycay

[Saphyre]

Another couple of cities to look at closer to Buena Park would be Fullerton, Placentia, and Yorba Linda. Most of North OC would be doable and there are some very nice areas. I live in Fullerton and the schools are pretty good. It has a great downtown area and a lot of parks around. The traffic would be minimal compared to Irvine, although Irvine is a very nice area too. As for kids ages, mine are age 6 - first grade, age 11 - sixth grade, and age 15 - tenth grade. I believe you need to be five before the end of Oct. to start Kindergarten. (I could be wrong but it sounds about right). The schools in my area are K-6th, 7th-8th, and 9th-12th. Some areas have K-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th. Ask as many questions as you like and I'll try to help! I've lived in North OC all my life.

[pootie562]

Basically Buena park is not a very easy commute to irvine since you cant really hit the 57 on the 405. but what i can say about the neighboring cities around buena park the good cities are cypress, and the garden grove area of east gate which absolutely affordable, safe, predominantly white, plus you can make it to irvine in 20 minutes and your close to the 22/405/605 freeways. Although those other cities like cerritos, and la palma are a bit overpriced.

[snb3]

If you can afford Irvine & your husband can take the drive, Irvine would be your best bet. Although boring and expensive, South OC is probably the best for raising a family, hence the price. It is one of the largest areas of uniformly safe neighborhoods/cities with similarly good areas in every directions. Other cities/areas might be good but are not as far away from the less desireable areas.
For something close to Buena Park, Fullerton might be your best bet. If you have a realtor, have them check: Amerige Heights, Westbluff, Sunny Ridge, Coyote Hills, Laguna. Although costly, these are the safest & with the best schools. There are some really nice/huge homes around Bastanchury are are very expensive.
I think any school in Irvine are excellent. Irvine high schools and Troy & Sunny Hills in Fullerton are nationally recognized.