Trapped in OC, need to escape (San Diego, Sacramento: smog, upkeep, condos)

[missionhome]

I agree with kturbe. South Orange County does not nearly have as serious a traffic problems as north OC. The 5 freeway from El Toro Road south to the county border at San Clemente is free flowing almost all the time except for going north during the morning commute into cities like Irvine. This is a traditional rush hour type traffic you see in other cities. In the evening, it slows to about 20-35 miles per hour right at the El Toro Y (from about 5PM-7PM) and then speeds back up to 50 at El Toro Road and then up to 65+ after Alicia Parkway. An accident can make everything dead stop, but the majority of the time the 5 tends to be moving pretty fast through south OC. It isn't nearly bad enough to stop people from going about and locking themselves indoors. Also, most people I know have moved close to their work. I don't know many people who work outside of the Irvine to San Clemente area. I'm sorry you are upset about traffic. It is one of the most annoying things in life. Perhaps you should move closer to places you like to go? I find everything I need within ten to thirty minutes, including the beach (and we are more inland in Mission Viejo).

[Irvinedebs]

Originally Posted by scorpionleather

I've been living in OC (Fullerton) since 1975 and up until the early 1990s we still had some orange groves and it was nice, but ever since then the TRAFFIC is miserable.

People talk about all the things to do in OC and LA, but what use is it when you can't even go anywhere on a Saturday afternoon because you're stuck staring at someone's license plate and sucking in the exhaust of a big rig going 2mph?

Any other long-time OC residents feel the same way or is it just me? I mean, I am dying. I'm trapped in the house unless I pick some unusual time to "go out."

I can understand traffic jams at 8am and 5pm. But getting stuck on every freeway on a Saturday afternoon? It's time to escape to another state.

I also live in the OC I have lived in Irvine for 20 years when they also had Orange Groves, I am also so sick and tired of the OC it is way to crowded and very expensive to live here, I am looking to move to Arizona this summer.

[killer2021]

move out to texas. Your standard of living will increase ten fold.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by missionhome

I agree with kturbe. South Orange County does not nearly have as serious a traffic problems as north OC. The 5 freeway from El Toro Road south to the county border at San Clemente is free flowing almost all the time except for going north during the morning commute into cities like Irvine. This is a traditional rush hour type traffic you see in other cities. In the evening, it slows to about 20-35 miles per hour right at the El Toro Y (from about 5PM-7PM) and then speeds back up to 50 at El Toro Road and then up to 65+ after Alicia Parkway. An accident can make everything dead stop, but the majority of the time the 5 tends to be moving pretty fast through south OC. It isn't nearly bad enough to stop people from going about and locking themselves indoors. Also, most people I know have moved close to their work. I don't know many people who work outside of the Irvine to San Clemente area. I'm sorry you are upset about traffic. It is one of the most annoying things in life. Perhaps you should move closer to places you like to go? I find everything I need within ten to thirty minutes, including the beach (and we are more inland in Mission Viejo).

Well more with the OP's point, its the weekend traffic that's so frustrating. It seems like every time I've had to drive down to San Diego on a Saturday, the 5 through south OC has been really slow. The 405 is OK until I hit the 5, then I hit many patches of bumper to bumper traffic the rest of the way down. And it slows down very suddenly too. Who knows how many accidents that causes.

[flo2900]

I too agree with OP`s views on OC traffic, and I too don`t get out as often in weekend because of it. OC has become a too expensive place for what it can offer. It is over rated IMHO and most ppl choose to stay either b/c are to affraid to try a different state or want to look cool living in OC....oh I forgot...it`s the weather what makes ppl stay...

[denverian]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Well more with the OP's point, its the weekend traffic that's so frustrating. It seems like every time I've had to drive down to San Diego on a Saturday, the 5 through south OC has been really slow. The 405 is OK until I hit the 5, then I hit many patches of bumper to bumper traffic the rest of the way down. And it slows down very suddenly too. Who knows how many accidents that causes.

Reminds me of driving to San Diego on Thanksgiving morning from OC - once it took over 3 hours, bumper to bumper the entire way. I was in such a bad mood by the time we got there. The next Thanksgiving we left home at 6 a.m. and got there in an hour, but had to wake up our friends because we arrived so early. Now I think it takes about the same time to fly to San Diego from Denver on a Saturday as it takes to drive from OC!

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by scorpionleather

I've been living in OC (Fullerton) since 1975 and up until the early 1990s we still had some orange groves and it was nice, but ever since then the TRAFFIC is miserable.

People talk about all the things to do in OC and LA, but what use is it when you can't even go anywhere on a Saturday afternoon because you're stuck staring at someone's license plate and sucking in the exhaust of a big rig going 2mph?

Any other long-time OC residents feel the same way or is it just me? I mean, I am dying. I'm trapped in the house unless I pick some unusual time to "go out."

I can understand traffic jams at 8am and 5pm. But getting stuck on every freeway on a Saturday afternoon? It's time to escape to another state.

Live in SoCal most of our lives. Lived in Irvine 28 years. Moved to Keller Texas and lovin it.

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by scorpionleather

This might sound strange but that is the one thing I miss the most about Southern California, already, is Hal Fishman. I looked forward to watching his insightful, funny, straightforward newscasts every night at 10pm. I thought about moving years earlier, but then I thought - I would miss Hal Fishman. Now he's in a higher place and it makes moving out of CA a little easier.



That's a perfect example and what I had in mind when I started this thread - during the last few years you never went anywhere and felt trapped at home on the weekends. I feel that way more and more as traffic gets worse and I just wanted to check if it is just me or if anyone else feels that way too.

Let me tell you what a great time we have have driving around Texas! It is so big and filled with great little towns and some of the most beautiful homes with acreage. We drive every weekend we can (in the Honda, not the Expedition) visiting towns like Argyle, and Granbury. The change from winter to spring was incredible. It is so cool to see nature change. I am sure we will not live long enough to see it all but we will try.

Compared to what it took just to get on the 405 and drive down the coast on the weekend this is incredible. Ten minutes from our house you are driving for miles and miles through open country. If you want a longer drive you can drive to San Antonio and see the Alamo, the Riverwalk or go to San Marcos Prime Outlets and shop at the outlet stores of every major retailer. I don't mean to sound so corny but it really is incredible.

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by Irvinedebs

I also live in the OC I have lived in Irvine for 20 years when they also had Orange Groves, I am also so sick and tired of the OC it is way to crowded and very expensive to live here, I am looking to move to Arizona this summer.

I remember when Irvine closed up around 9:00pm. There were no fast food joints, theaters, etc.. We moved from Irvine Oct. 2007 after 28 years. We loved it there but we rarely went anywhere other than movies, dinner. When we did go out it was to places like Temecula where my inlaws live. We just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle.

We finally decided to make our get away more permanent and moved to Keller TX. We bought a 3500 sq. ft. house on a quarter arce lot, pretty much a track home by Texas standards, and are loving it. The house is pretty incredible with a master suite that would only be found in a 2+ million dollar home in SoCal. We bought it brand new for $271,000. If people from CA realixed how much they pay for the CA weather they would be shocked.

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by killer2021

move out to texas. Your standard of living will increase ten fold.

Amen, from Keller TX.