Mission Viejo, Irvine, Yorba Linda, or Chino hills for family with 3 kids? (Anaheim: real estate, renting)

[buckeyenative01]

Originally Posted by nascarnancy

I lived in Yorba Linda for 15 years, until 2 years ago. No kids but I absolutely loved the city. It has a nice little country feel. They are also building (may still be in process, but almost finished) a brand new high school off of Fairmont and YL Blvd, behind the Homegoods/Trader Joe's shopping center. So I give a to YL!

Don't YL kids usually go to El Dorado? What's the new school's name? (I used to work for the HS Sports Department at The Register, Segerstrom had just opened by the time I left)

[missionhome]

The new high school will be called "Yorba Linda High School." It looks like it will serve most of Yorba Linda to the north of Yorba Linda Blvd. Part of Yobra Linda (around 1/3-1/2) will remain at Esperanza High School.

Here is the new boundary map:http://www.pylusd.k12.ca.us/graphics...yMap-Final.pdf

[Axiom]

Originally Posted by NaplesRes

Live wherever is closest to your work.

This is excellent advice; unless you're in a position where commuting is not an issue. Since you picked some pretty far flung places, I'm guessing that may be the case?

You can definitely find good schools and kid friendly areas in *all the cities you listed, but they're not necessarily a given in any of them, and of course you'll find good schools and kid friendly areas in other places too.

*like buckeyenative, I'm less familiar with Chino Hills than your other choices though.

You'll still need to do your homework once you narrow things down a bit more. ie: friendliness of specific neighborhoods is much more of a crap shoot.

Charles has a good point too. What does "best" mean to you and to your kids? For example I'd say overall Irvine probably has the most academically competitive schools of the places you listed, but is that what you mean by best? Wouldn't be for me, or for my kids.

You may need to get more specific for folks to give more concrete help.

On limited information I might recommend a specific neighborhood with older homes in the $700,000 range that feeds into a HS that is typically an athletic powerhouse... but maybe you were looking for newer homes in the million+ range and a school where a child with average athletic ability has a chance to participate in HS sports. See what we mean?

[buckeyenative01]

Originally Posted by missionhome

The new high school will be called "Yorba Linda High School." It looks like it will serve most of Yorba Linda to the north of Yorba Linda Blvd. Part of Yobra Linda (around 1/3-1/2) will remain at Esperanza High School.

Here is the new boundary map:http://www.pylusd.k12.ca.us/graphics...yMap-Final.pdf

Thanks. I was thinking of Esperanza. My bad.

[missionhome]

Axiom,
Great information!!!

If you have particular questions on MV neighborhoods you have looked at or are interested, I would be happy to give some info. Certain neighborhoods are of course better than others for families. I also know most of the schools well, especially the Capistrano Unified schools in the city (I'm a PTSA mom at CVHS and we work with all our feeder school PTSA's).

[roby1945]

Thanks to all for your responses. We will be moving when school gets out in June so I am trying to get my research done early.

Missionhome could you tell me some neighborhoods in MV that have lots of kids. Right now we are in an area up north that is mostly retired people and no kids. We are very bored and I would love to pick a place where my kids can make some friends in the neighborhood. We will be down this weekend driving through some areas so I will be able to chk them out. Also, if you live in MV do you have access to the lake or is it only certain neighborhoods. I guess I am looking for an area that offers lots for families to do on weekends without having to drive too far away.

I know I should be more specific on what best means but I guess I don't know what that means. I know that best is not where I am right now. I just need good schools and activities for my family. I would like to pick an area to buy a house and raise my kids and be happy there.

Thanks for all help. I appreiciate it. It is always good to get opinions from people who know the areas.

[missionhome]

I recommend the following neighborhoods for the most kids (in no specific order):
1. Califia (south of Oso, East of Felipe) Attends Bathgate Elementary, the city's best school in my opinion with an API of 917. Parent involvement is very high and good principal. Two community parks, close to Sierra Rec Center.
2. Auburn Ridge (west of Ridgecrest, east of Felipe, north of Camden, south of Barbadenes) Adjacent to Napoli Park, across Felipe from Barbadanes Park. Attends Bathgate Elementary.
3. Pacific Hills (Marguerite on West, Felipe on East, La Paz on north, Oso on south). Most family friendly surrounding Pacific Hills Park off of Fieldcrest Rd. The western portion on the hill has less cul-de-sacs and is more hilly so not conductive to kids really playing in the street or knowing the neighbor. Northeast portion if flatter and has more cul-de-sacs so kids are out playing and the park is closer to the homes. Split between Bathgate Elementary and Philip J Reilly Elementary (API is 865).
4. Quail Run: Smaller gated neighborhood east of Felipe and north of Oso. Lots of kids in it though, seems like every other house has some and they are always out and about playing. It attends Philip J Reilly Elementary.
5. Stoneridge: Upscale community of larger homes south of Alicia and east of Felipe, guard gated. More kids on the northern portion than the southern portion because north has more cul-de-sacs. Attends Barcelona Hills Elementary (API 860).
6. Canyon Crest: Guard Gated community bound by Alicia on south, Olympiad on West, city border on East, and Melinda on north. Terraced neighborhood down hill. Some streets (usually cul-de-sacs) will have tons of kids and other will not have as many. More of a street by street basis. Excellent recreation center at the heart of this community with park and kid friendly swimming pools. Flo Jo Olympic Park, which is very popular with kids, is just outside the community. Attends Castille Elementary (API 871).
7. Melinda Community: Bound by La Barca, Marguerite on West, Olympiad on south, Melinda on East, and Santa Margarita on north. Family friendly neighborhood within walking distance to several great parks (six!) and Lake MV. The current school, O'Neill Elementary will close, and students will be moved to Melinda Heights Elementary in Rancho Santa Margarita (API 914).

Those are in my opinion, the very best neighborhoods for families with kids in Mission Viejo. Almost all of Mission Viejo has Lake MV rights I believe, if not the whole city (I don't know anybody in MV who doesn't). Type a home address in the Lake MV search to see if you are within the Lake Association boundaries: Homeowners Associations in Mission Viejo - Lake Mission Viejo Association, Mission Viejo, CA

Activities for kids are plentiful from swim complexes, city parks, the lake, entertainment centers like the Kaleidoscope, tons of family friendly activities like concerts on the green or Arte de la Vida, Christmas events, the ocean is twenty five minutes away, bike trails abound, etc....

SouthOC buzz has some great event listings and photo galleries to see what goes on around here: Welcome to South OC Buzz!

[ferretkona]

I think the kids will enjoy Mission Viejo the most. Closest to the beach, plenty of good wholesome activities there.

[roby1945]

Thank you Thank you Thank you. Sounds like MV gets the thumbs up from most.

Thanks Missionhome for all your work for me. Wow you know your stuff. I really appreciate it. We are going to cruise around this weekend and check it out. You have been very helpful. Thanks. Love the school info you put in also.

[bhcompy]

MV is a very nice place.

I would add Rossmoor to your list if you haven't considered it, particularly neighborhoods around Rossmoor Park, Rush Park, Rossmoor Elementary, and Lee Elementary. Those I know are heavily populated by kids. Schools are great, youth activities are great, 20min to Disneyland, 15min to Knotts, 20min to the Aquarium/Queen Mary/Shoreline Village/Rainbow Harbor, and 10min from a nice family beach/pier in Seal Beach