Why we WANT to move to Orange County! (San Diego, Irvine: fit in, transplants)

[fergusonsix]

I've been obsessively reading these forums at every opportunity I get trying to learn all I can about Orange County. I've seen positive and negative, and completely understand that different people can have different opinions on the same place.

But I can't wait to move to Orange County, and here's our story: My husband and I are both from Central California (the real Valley!). Three years ago, we had had it with horrible schools, expensive housing, high crime rates, and more and decided to head somewhere else with our four young children.

We ended up in Nashville Tennessee, which is great (except the weather), but I've been so homesick for the West Coast that we've decided to return. I have done a ton of research based on what WE want in a home and to my surprise, Orange County, specifically the Mission Viejo area, is winning in every category.

Here's what we're looking for:
Good schools: 8 or better on Great Schools
Safe area: low crime index
Cost of living/salary ratio
Proximity to beach and other fun stuff!
Close to family

Here's what we've come up with
Nearly all the schools in the South Orange County area rank 8 or higher,
Mission Viejo was ranked safest city in America last year
My husband would get a $40,000 raise for the same job
The beach, Disneyland, shopping, San Diego, L.A., etc. are very close
Family is 5 hours' drive away

So, my mind is made up. I went to college at Pepperdine and have family in Orange County, so I've been there a million times and dreamed of living there. Now that housing prices have gone down a bit and my husband can get a raise, I think we can do this!

As soon as our house here in Nashville sells, and my hubby gets a job there, we'll be on our way to join you. BTW, he's a public school administrator, any advice or tips on the job market in education there?

I would love for Orange County locals to share any other info they have for a family of 6 trying to get settled in the area....

And I want to thank missionhome for all the amazing information and pictures you've provided for Mission Viejo. I'm a huge fan!

[missionhome]

Thank for fergunsonsix for the compliment. I am so glad you are excited to move to Mission Viejo. You have a great attitude and sound outgoing. When you move here, just remember to get out there and meet the neighbors! Go over and say hi and most people will be really friendly. Your kids will probably do just fine in most neighborhoods which are full of kids that will be going to the same schools as your kids.

Your kids will LOVE Lake Mission Viejo too. It is so much more young family friendly than the ocean which knocks your six year old flat on his face It is a great place for kids to grow up and our family has had some great times on the lake from renting a boat to watch the fireworks over the lake, to memorial day barbeques, to lakeside concerts, to kayaking, and teaching my kids to sail! It is a lot of fun and something to check out right when you move here.

Also, a great team building activity is coming up this fall/winter. Mission Viejo is going to have a float in the world famous Rose Parade this year and the entire city is invited to help build the float. I'm sure your kids would love it and it is a great way to meet local residents.

I'm not that familiar with admistrative jobs in education. The entire state is pretty stingy on hiring right now in education, but your husband should contact local school districts to see what they have. The ones in or near Mission Viejo are: Saddleback Valley Unified, Capistrano Unified, Laguna Beach Unified, and Irvine Unified. Newport-Mesa Unified and Tustin Unified are a little farther, but could work also.

When you are looking at homes, don't hesitate to ask me about neighborhoods and schools.
Welcome to MV!

[OC2Jax]

Originally Posted by fergusonsix

My husband would get a $40,000 raise for the same job

And you're going to need every cent to try and make up for the OC cost of living.

I wish you a ton of luck and happiness in OC. I wish I could move back...it's my favorite place to be, but I could no longer afford to live there after 17 years.

[fergusonsix]

I know it's really expensive, and we're prepared for that. We've been making two house payments here all year thanks to lovely tenants, so even rent there should be less than double mortgages here! I also will be ready to go to work next school year when my youngest starts school, so we'll have two incomes instead of one.

I think it's worth it, even just to be able to see my family more often...

[Twinsfan11]

Moving to southern orange county from the midwest. How will I be accepted in my remaining years in high school?

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by Twinsfan11

Moving to southern orange county from the midwest. How will I be accepted in my remaining years in high school?

One of the neighbors in our community moved here her freshman year of high school from suburban Chicago. She fit in really well at my sons' high school, made friends, did well in school, and this year left to study at the University of California San Diego.

Just remember to be an outgoing person and to get involved at your high school. Do a sport, join some school clubs, get in band or orchestra, etc... Do what you need to do to meet people. Most kids could care less if you are from the Midwest. The ones that do, you don't want to be friends with. There are lots of transplants here so it is not uncommon to be from there. You will probably go through some culture shock, but you kids are a lot more in common nowadays due to these computers and technology so you should be fine. Again, it depends on your personality. If you are shy, it could be very hard and I am just being honest. Switching high schools is never easy, and switching high schools from one state to another is even harder, but some kids do really well. My son is friend with a Canadian who has only been here two years so that is a pretty big change also!

[Twinsfan11]

Thats good. I have heard things about high school baseball out here and it being political. what i mean is coaches only playing their favorite players and the kids whos parents pay big to help support the program.

[bhcompy]

to add to your range, and put you a little closer to some other things possibly, i would look in western orange county and south east la county. cities like cerritos, los alamitos, seal beach, rossmoor, western graden grove, eastern long beach, cypress, etc

[Dirk Bonner]

Kids move into these school systems all the time with no problems at all. If you are a good athlete, you will play. The coaches in the area are very competitive, and good athletes don't stay on the bench.

I substitute frequently in SVUSD high schools. They are some of the best high schools anywhere. You will have no problems making friends, fitting into classrooms, and competing for slots on sports teams. 27 Orange County athletes won medals this summer at the Olympics.

[fergusonsix]

Thanks for the info everyone. I've been really confused about the SVUSD and CUSD(?) districts and if one is more preferable than the other. The whole area looks to be high performing and have lots of AP and activity options, but what is the opinion of the locals when comparing the two districts?