Moving from England to Orange County, need advice! (Irvine, Laguna Niguel: job, new home)

[connie&dave]

My husband has a job offer in Aliso Viejo, we currently live in Essex, England. Would love to hear from other brits on California vs. England living, is it true people socialize much less there? (an american friend told us), can anyone tell me anything about living in Aliso Viejo? Are there better place to live close by? Thanks for any advice or input

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by connie&dave

My husband has a job offer in Aliso Viejo, we currently live in Essex, England. Would love to hear from other brits on California vs. England living, is it true people socialize much less there? (an american friend told us), can anyone tell me anything about living in Aliso Viejo? Are there better place to live close by? Thanks for any advice or input

Aliso Viejo is a pleasant place to live. Minutes from Newport, Laguna, and Irvine.. It is a family friendly area without hustle and bustle. The housing is pretty much all recently built and prices are lower than your neighbors in Newport, Laguna, Laguna Niguel, and Irvine. Traffic is light considering that you use the 73 tollroad. It's a very safe area with no graffiti or much vandalism at all(something that Southern California is famous for.) I highly recommend it.

If cost is no factor, I recommend Newport Coast. It would be a fabulous commute to AV. It's very upscale, new, and many homes have beautiful views.

[dtran103]

I'm not british, but there are a LOT of british and australians around your area, specifically in Laguna Niguel.

[hamishmacbrown]

i will be moving to laguna niguel as from 02 may...

not sure about the socialising part, but our new neighbors have organised a 'block party' for the week after we move in, and when i was over in laguna niguel last month sorting out the utilities in our new home i was invited to a fantastic dinner party to introduce me to some of our new neighbors...

maybe we just lucked out, but i find it hard to believe the other posts i have read on this forum over the last couple of days about oc residents not socialising with their neighbors...

people from scotland are meant to be the most welcoming people in the uk, and as a scot i am pleasently suprised at the warm welcome i have received in oc...

good luck with your new move.

[connie&dave]

Thank you all very much for your replies, looking forward to checking Laguna Niguel on our next trip!

Good luck Hamish, I'm so jealous you are moving out next month!

[OCesspool]

Aliso Viejo is a beautiful city and they have great schools. The property values are pretty stable. It's a very short and scenic drive to the closest beach city- Laguna Beach. Even though AV is a few miles inland, you're still close enough to the coast to get the marine layer which means you can still catch some cool breezes in the summertime.

Hope you enjoy your new home.

[Jenali]

I would avoid buying in Aliso to avoid the Mello-Roos.

Best luck with ur move.

[jerrycat]

Hi i live in Irvine it is safe very pretty and very low crime rate. My neighbours only say "hi" if i see them, i have met some really nice people out side of Irvine they are friendly and tell me Irvine is " like that" poeple do socialize in adifferent way then in England, its more family dining etc. i like it in california the weather is great and the poeple are nice. Driving is a knightmare but is "fun"

[mp33]

Originally Posted by connie&dave

Thank you all very much for your replies, looking forward to checking Laguna Niguel on our next trip!

Good luck Hamish, I'm so jealous you are moving out next month!

I live in Rancho Santa Margarita, and it is beautiful and NOT overcrowded. It is about a 15 minute drive inland from Laguna Niguel...and we're nestled up against a pretty mountain range. My neighbors, despite the OC snooty stereotype, are down-to-earth and very friendly and REAL. Other nearby towns are Foothill Ranch and Ladera Ranch (a tad fancy for me, though).

[tltfaas]

Molly,

I live in RSM too! Your remarks are right on target. I think RSM is the most beautiful city in Southern California. I've lived here ten years now and can't imagine living anywhere else.

Bonnie