Where would an immigrant from Eastern Europe fit in OC? (San Francisco: renting, neighborhood)

[anagrig]

I am driving myself crazy reading and re-reading everyone's posts about living in OC, trying to figure out where my family would fit best. We are immigrants from Eastern Europe. White race brunettes, liberal-democrats, master degrees, not much into sports but definitely into arts and culture. Would love to buy this summer in the $550.00-$700.00 range.
Our daughter will be starting high school , and would do best in an environment with great academics, progressive crowd, down-to-earth kids who would choose getting together for sports over doing drugs ( that kind of stuff).
I am at this point stuck between Irvine and Mission Viejo.
Any thgoughts and experiences will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you guys in advance!

[Fontucky]

Hint: Down-to-earth and Irvine are seldom used in the same sentence... unless "not" is included.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by anagrig

I am driving myself crazy reading and re-reading everyone's posts about living in OC, trying to figure out where my family would fit best. We are immigrants from Eastern Europe. White race brunettes, liberal-democrats, master degrees, not much into sports but definitely into arts and culture. Would love to buy this summer in the $550.00-$700.00 range.
Our daughter will be starting high school , and would do best in an environment with great academics, progressive crowd, down-to-earth kids who would choose getting together for sports over doing drugs ( that kind of stuff).
I am at this point stuck between Irvine and Mission Viejo.
Any thgoughts and experiences will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you guys in advance!

Where are your jobs?

Pope John Paul II Polish Center

[ocexpo]

Anaheim Hills (Canyon High School). Not liberal/progressive, but people aren't pushy with their politics here and it is fairly laid back (by the way, there are only 4 cities in OC that are Liberal [have more Dem's than Rep's] - Stanton, Buena Park, Santa Ana, and Laguna Beach - 3 of which you wouldn't want to live in if you aren't hispanic).

[anagrig]

Thanks, guys. I'll check the Anaheim hills, and also the link to the Polish center! Every bit of info really helps.

[sbsb]

I lived in irvine my whole life, im 25 now. If you can afford living in irvine, then that should be your first pick,,,i went to high school there, and it's great + UC Irvine's right there if your daughter ends up going to that school. Mission viejo is great city as well, a bit more affordable. Both great cities, very safe.

[treebw]

Look in to Costa Mesa; My daughter had friends in the neighborhood from Poland, Italy, all over. Two of her friends went to Polish school every Saturday and loved it. West side and East side Costa Mesa would both be great for you.

[mommyntheoc]

If you are educated, liberal, and like arts...there isn't any place for you in OC except Laguna Beach! But...your price range doesn't look like it would work there. My friend is renting a small (200 sq ft) studio in LB and it is $1000/month. And on the other end, you won't find many down to earth kids in OC at all...have you thought about San Francisco, Austin, or Madison? You are very much like my family and I can say, I don't think you would fit in anywhere here comfortably for any given period of time. Sorry. :-/

Originally Posted by anagrig

I am driving myself crazy reading and re-reading everyone's posts about living in OC, trying to figure out where my family would fit best. We are immigrants from Eastern Europe. White race brunettes, liberal-democrats, master degrees, not much into sports but definitely into arts and culture. Would love to buy this summer in the $550.00-$700.00 range.
Our daughter will be starting high school , and would do best in an environment with great academics, progressive crowd, down-to-earth kids who would choose getting together for sports over doing drugs ( that kind of stuff).
I am at this point stuck between Irvine and Mission Viejo.
Any thgoughts and experiences will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you guys in advance!

[mommyntheoc]

Ahhh now reading further I see you are from Poland...my best friend, Agnieszka, moved here to Lake Forest in 8th grade with her family...they hated it so much, neither of the kids ever fit in or made many friends. I'd suggest finding other polish in the US who are similar in beliefs to you and find out where they have found the most comfortable places to live.

[Jay100]

Originally Posted by anagrig

I am driving myself crazy reading and re-reading everyone's posts about living in OC, trying to figure out where my family would fit best. We are immigrants from Eastern Europe. White race brunettes, liberal-democrats, master degrees, not much into sports but definitely into arts and culture. Would love to buy this summer in the $550.00-$700.00 range.
Our daughter will be starting high school , and would do best in an environment with great academics, progressive crowd, down-to-earth kids who would choose getting together for sports over doing drugs ( that kind of stuff).
I am at this point stuck between Irvine and Mission Viejo.
Any thgoughts and experiences will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you guys in advance!

I don't think you would "fit in" with the "Newport" crowd as it has a history of being elitist. However Irvine and Mission Viejo relatively safe and family friendly. Who knows though? If you come with an open mind and embrace your new environment, you could probably be happy. I've known a few Eastern Europeans who have adapted and are thriving.