Is Living in Orange County really worth the hype?

[YoungSanDiegoDude]

Originally Posted by NaplesRes

I think the pressure to show you have money and emphasis on material items makes it not a great place to raise a family. I think a place where middle class people are comfortable being middle class or a wealthy place without a lot of "new rich" is a better option.

I agree 100%. Giving in to the pressure to show that you have money and putting an emphasis on shallow, superficial needs is no way to live your life, ESPECIALLY if you are raising a family. That kind of lifestyle only teaches your children to have bad morals and to value the wrong things in life. I feel that if you want to raise a family in So Cal where people are friendly, have decent morals, the crime rate is very low, and is overall, a GREAT place to raise children, then San Diego County is the place. People here are VERY laid-back and care more about who you are as a person, than what you have or how much you make (in fact, most people down here don't give a crap about that stuff). BTW, I' am sick of hearing people associate North San Diego County with OC. With the exception of the weather and scenery, they are not even close to being alike. In fact, North County is probably the most laid-back and un-pretentious place in So Cal!

[EnchantedEvergreen]

Originally Posted by bigd8200

I recently received a job offer in Irvine, CA (Orange County). As great as the weather is and the proximity to the beach and mountains, I really wonder..... IS IT WORTH IT? Many people I talked to want to get out because it is expensive, traffic sucks, overcrowded, etc.

I would like to know from those who are living in Orange County or who have lived there in the past if it is truly worth LIVING and WORKING there! Defend the place you live or vent your frustrations. I want to know the good and bad to living and working there. Some people talk like it is paradise while others say it is overrated for numerous reasons (cost of living being a major factor).

When I interviewed in Irvine, I fell into the "southern california mystique" as most non-Californians do. I want to make an educated and wise decision before I decide to move out to "paradise."

No it's not. Okay, okay, okay...the weather is great. I actually wish Chicago would have that kind of weather. I love wearing shorts but can only do that three months of the year.

I'm sorry, it's not worth it. It's really not worth it. It is indeed expensive. Most of Orange County, California is rich as an oil well. There are middle class areas though. More on that later. What about other problems...

Traffic sucks alright. Obviously, there are many suburbs but there's highlands that separate Orange County in two. Therefore, getting from one place to another is hard. I spent my time in December 2008 and June 2007 seeing some girls in Laguna Beach. Something I shouldn't have done. That's another story.

I cannot tell you what is like to live and work there. Obvisouly, I just wanted to see what it was like to visit and date a few girls. I didn't like it because the people were idiots. The girls I went with were super smart, stuck up, cheat at life cheerleaders. A lot of that is out there as far as I'm concerned.

So to sum it up, don't pack your things and move out to Orange County, California. You won't like the traffic, the towns, the dating scene, and certainly won't like the people. That's all there is to it. The end. Stay away from there.

[EnchantedEvergreen]

Originally Posted by YoungSanDiegoDude

I agree 100%. Giving in to the pressure to show that you have money and putting an emphasis on shallow, superficial needs is no way to live your life, ESPECIALLY if you are raising a family. That kind of lifestyle only teaches your children to have bad morals and to value the wrong things in life. I feel that if you want to raise a family in So Cal where people are friendly, have decent morals, the crime rate is very low, and is overall, a GREAT place to raise children, then San Diego County is the place. People here are VERY laid-back and care more about who you are as a person, than what you have or how much you make (in fact, most people down here don't give a crap about that stuff). BTW, I' am sick of hearing people associate North San Diego County with OC. With the exception of the weather and scenery, they are not even close to being alike. In fact, North County is probably the most laid-back and un-pretentious place in So Cal!

This was the best reply I have had read on this forum. This is exactly what I would tell anyone. Thank you.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by EnchantedEvergreen

Obvisouly, I just wanted to see what it was like to visit and date a few girls. I didn't like it because the people were idiots. The girls I went with were super smart, stuck up, cheat at life cheerleaders. A lot of that is out there as far as I'm concerned.

won't like the people.

You'll find those behaviors in any similar demographic across the country. (I've seen it in Ventura County, Columbus OH, Buffalo, NY, and even here in Huntsville, AL.)

Traffic sucks - number one issue. Unless your job is in Irvine then you can expect bad commuting (Huntington Beach, Long Beach, LA, El Segundo for example).
High Taxes, Mello Roos, and HOA - number two issue.

There is no number three issue. Housing prices are dropping like a lead zeppelin. Unemployment is increasing but it is increasing just about everywhere else too (except Huntsville....). Tons of amenities. Outstanding schools. Beautiful landscaping in the public and common areas. Beautiful masterplanning in the shopping areas with coordinated architecture and logical zoning (no auto repair or salvage yards next to a restaurant or preschool for example). Health conscious culture. Minimal overhead powerlines, mostly underground utilities. Ugly billboard ordinances.