Quick Poll: Irvine vs. Laguna Niguel? (Orange, Tustin: homes, safe area, movies)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

There's a lovely 4-bedroom house on my street for sale for $335K.

Here are some 4BR homes recent sales in decent school districts in south OC. Sure, the houses aren't brand spanking new (but no mello roos) but there are cul de sacs and the neighborhoods from aerial photos look kid friendly.


This just sold for $353K in Lake Forest, 4+2 SFR ($730K in 2006)

23741 Teed St, Lake Forest, CA 92630


Here's one in Mission Viejo, 4+3 SFR in $356K ($639K in 2005)

26851 Via Linares, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

I didn't check but these homes above probably don't have Mello Roos. Property taxes are probably $300/month.


I didn't see the home you are referencing, and I'd bet it is nicer than these, but is it worth not being near parents, and is it worth dealing with Chicago weather? Every person has to make their own decision.

But, the point is, decent homes in decent neighborhoods in Southern California aren't necessarily prohibitively expensive anymore.

Originally Posted by Charles

A) Housing prices in Orange County are coming down due to supply-demand levels.

[JustJulia]

Point taken. I know many people prefer Southern California to Illinois, and I'm not saying that where I live now is better than where we lived before. Well, I take that back. It's better for us. Others will have different opinions. We do miss family ... that's the big one for us, not so much the weather.

I used to live not too far from that Lake Forest house you posted, and I would not want to live in that house. Where my parents and in-laws' live (also in LF) is a nicer part of town, and those houses still list in the high $600s and low $700s (down from the $800s and $900s). That's just more than we can afford.

My house now is not some amazing, gigantic place, nor is it new. These houses were built in the 50s and 60s, and it's a good size for us, but it's not a McMansion. And I know it's all relative, too ... I'm sure there are many people who can't believe we paid what we did for this house, when other areas are even less expensive.

[eturbo22]

I personally just moved to Laguna Niguel. I work in San Clemente, and there are dozens of people who commute to Irvine regularly and they say the traffic is not that bad. Laguna Niguel is extremely family oriented, and you will find more parks and playgrounds and activities than you could possibly imagine.

I havent looked into Irvine a ton, so I am a bit lopsided in my opinions. LN is also very close to anything larger that you could hope for as well (multiple costcos, bigger stores, etc) but still has a very sheltered feel.

Lets put it this way, the neighbor in our condo development has had a $1500 mountain bike strapped to the back of his truck for a week and its never been touched. Hope you find what you are looking for! Good Luck!

[TimTheEnchanter]

Originally Posted by eturbo22

I personally just moved to Laguna Niguel. I work in San Clemente, and there are dozens of people who commute to Irvine regularly and they say the traffic is not that bad. Laguna Niguel is extremely family oriented, and you will find more parks and playgrounds and activities than you could possibly imagine.

I havent looked into Irvine a ton, so I am a bit lopsided in my opinions. LN is also very close to anything larger that you could hope for as well (multiple costcos, bigger stores, etc) but still has a very sheltered feel.

Lets put it this way, the neighbor in our condo development has had a $1500 mountain bike strapped to the back of his truck for a week and its never been touched. Hope you find what you are looking for! Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice you gave, but as the original poster asked the question in 2007, I am going to guess they chose a location already

[amsln]

We live and love LN...my husband works in Irvine and takes the toll road...his commute is less than 30 min...and traffic is always moving...

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Finski

We are pretty "down to earth", so I am not looking for the perfect "Barbie&Kenny-Land".

Ken hates it when people call him that.

[vabound2012]

There is nothing in Laguna Niguel that equates to down to earth. Very affluent crowd. Spent a year there and hated it. People were rude and not open to outsiders. Very snobby. I had to get out!

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by vabound2012

There is nothing in Laguna Niguel that equates to down to earth. Very affluent crowd. Spent a year there and hated it. People were rude and not open to outsiders. Very snobby. I had to get out!

Funny because I consider most of the people there outsiders. Maybe you're really an insider who didn't fit in with their outsiderness. If you're headed for Northern Virginia (based on your member name) you won't find it that much different. In fact there's a whole thread going on over on that forum about how unfriendly we are to outsiders.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Finski

Yet another family relocating to OC... We have two little kids, so schools are important. After reading previous posts I the two top locations would be Irvine or LN. Hubby will work in Tustin. Both have good schools... We can only afford a house around $800k (I can't believe the prices! ) We are pretty "down to earth", so I am not looking for the perfect "Barbie&Kenny-Land".

Which would you choose and why?

We were in the same boat two years ago. Couple of things swayed us to the Mission Viejo/RSM/LN/Ladera side of south OC compared to Irvine.

Lower price per square foot.
More relational demographics. Schools: Irvine is 41% Asian, 38% White; Capistrano is 65% White

[joryjim]

Originally Posted by Charles

We were in the same boat two years ago. Couple of things swayed us to the Mission Viejo/RSM/LN/Ladera side of south OC compared to Irvine.

Lower price per square foot.
More relational demographics. Schools: Irvine is 41% Asian, 38% White; Capistrano is 65% White

So you can't afford Irvine and you're racist. LOL