Looking for an atypical house in Irvine area..help please (Los Angeles: HOA fees, how much)

[12buttons]

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Hi folks...By atypical....
I mean no cookie cutter treeless subdiv zero lot line type..
willing to drive -but would like to know where I have the best shot at finding something like this ANYWHERE in Orange COunty?
Does it exist? And if so,
how much a square foot? I am looking for at least 1750 sq ft...newer construction, small but PRIVATE piece of land..does not have to be right in the city but the general area - a bit of a country feel...I really like the look of trees and greenscapes.. and privacy..doens't have to be big..just a high wall between me and my neighbor is okay...as opposed to flat no trees subdivisions and high HOAS run by ex jail wardens (authority figures and I don't mix well) ... and brats on bikes taking out my begonias...don't have kids..dont need the school tax...would like to sit outside and NOT hear the trucks, the highways, ghetto blasters, golf carts, and NOT have a thousand neighbors eyes around me scrutinzing my every move. I don't want to be told that bush has to come out or why have you nor put your drapes up yet? I am a writer, you know - artsy fartsy type into good produce and solar panels but I draw the line at Ed Begley Jr.

...I used to live in Venice Beach..what I liked..the weather, the shopping, the access to cool places..what I hated..my neighbors- mariachi band next door and screaming babies, and a filthy old hippie type on the other side of me who reported my fence to the city and I was forced to take it down even though there were five more on the block just like mine that were not changed.Los Angeles? blech!!!! I may be artsy fartsy but I am an old Yankee from CT and pretty much still hold to those beliefs...thanks 12b in her sunbrella hat.

How much will I be looking at - price wise to make this happen?


[+] Rate this post positively

[Broadmoor]

This sounds to like it might be life in one of the canyons -- Silverado or Trabuco, perhaps. There might be a place tucked up in one of those areas which offers the seclusion you desire. Finding a newer place without an HOA might be a challenge. I read somewhere that virtually every subdivision built in the past few decades in California is an HOA situation (for some reason this benefits local governments) but maybe that was an overstatement. The high wall next to neighbors might not be realistic in that code in most places dictates that side fences be a maximum of six feet.

[oc2nyc]

You may be able to find an area like this somewhere in California but I doubt that Irvine will have anything like what you describe. Two areas that are more artsy would be Belmont Shore in Long Beach or Laguna Beach other than that you will most likely have to put up with everything you hate. My suggestion would be to go back to CT that would be a sure thing. Good luck!

[EscapeCalifornia]

You *might* be able to find something to your liking in Lemon Heights, Cowan Heights, or San Juan Capistrano (east of the 5). Bring a couple million bucks.

[bhcompy]

in OC: Trabuco Canyon area, Santiago Canyon area

in LAC: Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes

in North San Diego County: Fallbrook has many older houses that fit this mold. Large lots, scenic views, quiet neighborhoods(if you want to call it a neighborhood), and plenty big trees to help out your privacy

all of those areas are expensive though. i would think at least a 20% premium on standard suburban neighborhoods

[LAMelanie]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi folks...By atypical....
I mean no cookie cutter treeless subdiv zero lot line type..
willing to drive -but would like to know where I have the best shot at finding something like this ANYWHERE in Orange COunty?
Does it exist? And if so,
how much a square foot? I am looking for at least 1750 sq ft...newer construction, small but PRIVATE piece of land..does not have to be right in the city but the general area - a bit of a country feel...I really like the look of trees and greenscapes.. and privacy..doens't have to be big..just a high wall between me and my neighbor is okay...as opposed to flat no trees subdivisions and high HOAS run by ex jail wardens (authority figures and I don't mix well) ... and brats on bikes taking out my begonias...don't have kids..dont need the school tax...would like to sit outside and NOT hear the trucks, the highways, ghetto blasters, golf carts, and NOT have a thousand neighbors eyes around me scrutinzing my every move. I don't want to be told that bush has to come out or why have you nor put your drapes up yet? I am a writer, you know - artsy fartsy type into good produce and solar panels but I draw the line at Ed Begley Jr.

...I used to live in Venice Beach..what I liked..the weather, the shopping, the access to cool places..what I hated..my neighbors- mariachi band next door and screaming babies, and a filthy old hippie type on the other side of me who reported my fence to the city and I was forced to take it down even though there were five more on the block just like mine that were not changed.Los Angeles? blech!!!! I may be artsy fartsy but I am an old Yankee from CT and pretty much still hold to those beliefs...thanks 12b in her sunbrella hat.

How much will I be looking at - price wise to make this happen?


[+] Rate this post positively

You might want to try an Eichler Home. Depending on the area, you may be looking at a million plus, or maybe less. Most are in north OC, though.

Eichler Gallery (broken link)

[Coldjensens]

An Atypical house in the Irvine Area is an oxymoron.

Irvine is all about matching houses, lawns, garbage cans, curtains, you name it, it all looks that same. Apparently, that is what they wanted.

New Construciton is generally cookie cutter. It is cheaper that way. UNless you have millions to spend, you need to find an older house if you want some character. Try Old Town Orange, Santa Ana (Floral Park, Frenh Park, Wilshire Square, or Washington Square), Fullerton. parts of Costa Mesa or Laguna BEach (back to being a millionaire there).

Silverado canyon has some neat homes, but most are tiny cottages. Be aware of the fire and landslide danger there as well. Anaheim hills and Lemon Heights are possible options. Orange PArk Acres or Villa Park might be decent options for you.

Eichler homes are wonderful if you can find one. There is a subdivision full of them in Santa Ana or Tustin. However you need to make sure that the heating system has been replaced. They used metal pipe that runs in the concrete salb under the house and those pipes are mostly shot by now. You cannot rip out the slab, so replacing the pipes can be very costly.

Good Luck

[flo2900]

Originally Posted by escapecalifornia

you *might* be able to find something to your liking in lemon heights, cowan heights, or san juan capistrano (east of the 5). Bring a couple million bucks.

:d

[EricReingen]

There are many quiet areas in Newport Beach like Balboa Island, Lido Isle, or Balboa Peninsula Point with the peaceful sounds of the ocean. These areas are intermixed with old and new construction but no HOA fees. As far as high walls and complete solitude there are not many areas where you can find that. But it would at least be quiet and away from major roads. If you have any other questions let me know. I am a Realtor in the area.

Eric Reingen
Prudential California Realty
949-698-3573
ericreingen@pruoc.com

[Coldjensens]

Liven in balboa for several years. Fun - es. Quiet - NO. The point is a little more quiet than other areas, but if you are not in your home, it is really really crazy down there. In the winter, it is like a small town. Everyone gets to know each other (except the UCI students who kind of stick to themselves. Summaers are crazy. I worked in Orange. It took me 22 minutes to get to work, but inthe summer, it took 1.5 hours to get home.

There is no parking anywhere and your friends will not come visit you due to traffic and parking issues. However, if I was single or DINK, I woul move back there in an instant. we absolutely loved it there until the craziness got to us and we decided to have children.

It was a terrific place to live, but not with children.