Moving to OC-Lake Forest info? (Long Beach, Huntington Beach: condo, houses, landscaping)

[lori116]

My husband just got a job in Costa Mesa and we are moving from Santa Cruz to the OC area with 2 toddlers. We are looking to buy a house in a family friendly area with good schools. So far, we have been looking online at houses in Lake Forest because they seem very affordable. I haven't seen that much info about Lake Forest. Is it a good community to live in with young kids? We are open to living in other areas, but we can only afford a house up to $550K. Any advice?

Thanks!

[missionhome]

Lake Forest is a nice community. It has recently been working really hard to improve its main entrance on El Toro Rd. which for about the last decade was really dated, run down, and getting abandoned. The new "Arbor Center" that was reconstructed on the site of old centers has brought a renaissance to the El Toro area of Lake Forest with popular shops and actually a really great selection of food.

The community is very safe and shouldn't be an issue. It has been named in the safest cities in the USA before and you won't find lots of homeless people and such like in Santa Cruz. The areas closer to the freeway are not as desirable as the areas farther away from the freeway, as the homes close to the freeway are oldest, slightly run down, have overhead telephone lines, and less aesthetic landscaping on streets and such. You will find lots of other families in the city though and it is very much a family friendly community.

Lake Forest is part of Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Most of the city's schools are good, but Olivewood, Aliso, and Gates Elementary have hit some pretty low test scores in recent years and I am hesitant to say those are still "good". I would recommend targeting the other elementary schools attendance areas in the city of Lake Forest. You can check a home's attendance area by the street it is on here: Saddleback Valley Unified School District

---If you are looking at Lake Forest, I also recommend you look at the northern portion of the city of Mission Viejo, mainly located off of Alicia Parkway. Mission Viejo is a little larger than Lake Forest, but I would also say the city is aesthetically a little bit nicer than Lake Forest and just a notch above Lake Forest in desirability. Also, you will have no problem finding homes for under $550k in Mission Viejo during this market. Mission Viejo is split between Saddleback Valley Unified and Capistrano Unified. Check each respective district for attendance boundaries. I don't recommend Glen Yermo Elementary (SVUSD) or Viejo Elementary (CUSD) and Linda Vista is so so. The rest of the elementary schools in Mission Viejo are great to outstanding.
This google map shows the attendance boundaries of Mission Viejo Elementary schools: Google Maps
This map shows Mission Viejo and Lake Forest city limits: MV is surrounded by blue and Lake Forest by red. I hope that helps with getting the geography of an unfamiliar area. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...1e184&t=h&z=11

I also highly recommend a visit. A six hour drive is worth it for such a big move.

[missionhome]

Just to open up more options, you might want to look into Fountain Valley also. I think it is closer to Costa Mesa.

[lori116]

Thanks for the helpful info!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Let me know if you have any questions about Fountain Valley. I know the area very well.

[Aqua Bliss]

I work in Lake Forest and some area's are nice, others not so much. Not dangerous or bad area's just not desirable in my opinion. Also Costa Mesa isn't too close to Lake Forest and driving the 405 every day won't be fun.

You should take a look at an area of Irvine called "Quail Hill", very nice new area and short commute to Costa Mesa. You may not be able to get a detached home there on your budget but definitely a condo... Perhaps maybe a small home as well...

Check a couple of these:

Open House Today! Quail Hill Irvine: 2 bdrm Condo, Must See!
Open House QUAIL HILL " Just Listed", Sat. 11/1/2008 - 1:00-4:00PM
OPEN HOUSE IN QUAIL HILL

[rjb68]

I agree with the Irvine comment...probably a bit nicer for families but look out because you are definitely walking into the middle of Suburbia!! Will be a bit of a change from Santa Cruz but I think you'll enjoy it...especially with the little ones. Check out www.reasonstoenvy.com for happy hour ideas and events (nightlife, fairs. festivals, shopping) in the area once you get down here. Site is catered more toward young professionals but I still like it for the happy hour page!

[NaplesRes]

If you like Santa Cruz and the character, culture, etc that goes along with it, don't move to lake forest.

Try East Long Beach or Huntington Beach.

[kturbe]

Lake Forest was just ranked the Hottest Housing Market in Orange County. It is an older community but has newer areas as well. Part of Lake Forest which is newer is Foothill Ranch or Portola Hills which is a little more inland. Portola Hills is one of my favorite areas as it is closer to the canyon and offers beautiful views.

If your husband is driving into Costa Mesa during normal traffic hours that will be rough, but it depends on if he is use to traffic or not. The drive normally is about 30 minutes.

I would also recommend Tustin as an alternative to consider as it is closer to Costa Mesa and not nearly as expensive as Irvine.

Best of luck!

[EricJess123]

Lake Forest is a nice city, I would reccomend Mission Viejo over Lake Forest But Foothill Ranch is wonderful, I wish you luck EJ from Ladera (15 mins from MV and 15 From SJC)