Your best pick for a well-educated , progressive neighborhood (San Diego, Irvine: high school, taxes)

[anagrig]

We will be moving to SoCal from Massachusetts. Picked OC because of the better air and better schools. We are Russian-speaking immigrants from Armenia.
Where in OC would an immigrant with our background fit best?

Our primary concern is to find a great High School for our daughter with emphasis on academics. Also we would like to live in a neighborhood where a lot of people are well-educated and of progressive views.


We were thinking Irvine, or Mission Viejo... Any thoughts?
Thanks

[BRinSM]

while i wouldn't really consider anywhere in OC to be progressive in the political sense, there is a decent sized russian population in the irvine area.

[ocexpo]

Progressive is your key word. Most liberal cities are the poorer cities filled to the brim with latino immigrants.

Laguna Beach and Capistrano Beach may be the only two progressive AND professional cities in OC. All the other professional/educated areas are dominated by Conservatives.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by anagrig

We will be moving to SoCal


We were thinking Irvine, or Mission Viejo... Any thoughts?

Where will you be working?

[Mach50]

OC is very conservative especially in contrast to the rest of California. My wife and I call it "Arizona's Beach". It is a little Red spec in a sea of Blue.

Coming from the NorthEast, OC is going to be a shock especially for what you are looking for. I think the OP would be better off in LA County or the Bay Area.

[buckeyenative01]

Laguna Beach is your best bet, but if you're working somewhere up near LA County or Yorba Linda, I'd say look elsewhere.

Like others already said, Orange County is a goofy little sea of red in an otherwise blue region (even San Diego County is more democratic and they've got arguably the largest military presence of anywhere else in the nation).

Liberals/progressives here tend to speak in hushed tones out of fear of being found out by their conservative brethren. Its the damndest thing, really

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

Laguna Beach is your best bet, but if you're working somewhere up near LA County or Yorba Linda, I'd say look elsewhere.

Like others already said, Orange County is a goofy little sea of red in an otherwise blue region (even San Diego County is more democratic and they've got arguably the largest military presence of anywhere else in the nation).

Liberals/progressives here tend to speak in hushed tones out of fear of being found out by their conservative brethren. Its the damndest thing, really

It just goes to show Wealth+Religion trumps Military when it comes to conservative republicans.

Also, it says something when a region full of military personal vote democratic.

Anyways I am not looking for another "Why is OC still republican" thread, but perhaps the Original poster should review it and get back to us on whether they think OC sounds progressive.

[slang75]

We are in Irvine and have found no shortage of liberal/progressive friends. There are people from all walks of life here. You're not going to find a Cambridge, MA type atmosphere out here. But, you can find people that are open minded and accepting. Most of the conservatives we have met are more the wealth and church types. Don't mess with their taxes or jesus and you will be OK.

[happ]

I agree w/ slang75 that Irvine is not short on intellectuals & progressive thinkers. In-fact, Irvine has elected even Greens in local elections. Laguna Beach would be a wonderful choice for sheer beauty & interesting people. Schools are good in both areas.

[NewportBorn]

I would check out some places in the Bay Area, if progressive is on the top of your list.