What about Fountain Valley? (Santa Ana: for sale, real estate, 2010)

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by slowbill

You might have to pay for flood insurance because it is in a valley.

Not since they improved the Santa Ana River a few years ago. My parents were quite happy to have that requirement removed. I believe there might be a small section in the NW part of the city near some canal that still requires flood insurance but the rest of the city doesn't.

[Wurzig]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Some of us like that, a nice quiet bedroom community for a change in OC

Personally, I think that's a nice place to live.

I visited the Little Saigon all the time, mostly for the good asian food, but never encounter any gang problem. As a 'gringo', you're there to shop & spend money, they will not bother you at all. Like I said, I don't even see any gatherings/ graffiti as sign of gangs.

I've only drove by and I do see many people jogging in the park. Any insights?

I'm a gringo ! The food is good in Little Saigon if you know where to go. (Certain places are more 'authentic', so if you don't want fish eyes or a duck looking at you on your plate, check the menu before going in). I visit the area with a good friend who was born in Hong Kong and we have a great time in the jewelry mart approximately 2 - 4 times a year. There is a huge variety of gold, gems and jade, but once again, it's good to be with somebody who can identify higher quality items. (i.e., it all looks great to me, but my friend knows which merchants are more trustworthy with their wares). My pal speaks several languages, so I feel as if I am with my own tour guide when we go to the mart. Also, there are small shops and if your kids want to dress in kimono types of outfits for Halloween, or those silk pajama types of outfits for a play, etc., it's the place to go. If you can't take the smell of incense, it's not the place to be.

There are most definitely serious gangs there, but true, there are gangs everywhere. However, Asian gangs take no prisoners and their beefs are usually with other Asian gangs. (I will not talk about my jury duty in Santa Ana earlier this year--I was so happy to be excused after the 4th day--it was a murder trial!) I do not go the area after dark unless I am with a group, including husbands. My best friend's sister (Japanese American), and her family used to live in Fountain Valley--her older son got into trouble (gang), and she moved him out of the country to live with relatives in order to save his life. He has lived in Japan for at least 15 years and has no plans of returning.

OTOH, we had a friend who lived in one of the older, 'cookie cutter' developments for many years.....the house was cute, the area kept up and he never had any major problems. Like any area, he witnessed much growth and change over the years, some of it not to his liking.

I do not live in the area but I had an operation in the hospital on Talbert. The care I received was absolutely wonderful! Not one complaint! My surgeon's main office is near the other hospital, so I have been inside both. They are both clean, bustling and seem to be well-staffed.

My husband worked on Brookhurst for quite a number of years. And yes, the gas is cheaper in that area and if we are passing by, we fill 'er up at his old haunt.

My husband and his workers used to eat lunch at lot at Mile Square. There are quite a few joggers. The incident that will always remain with me is that a woman, jogging early in the morning, was raped and murdered. The area is very busy but nobody noticed. They did not find her immediately...seems that she was tossed into some bushes...she was a 'regular' on the circuit....it was a few years ago. Maybe it is not so 'scary' during midday.

Now that I am thinking about it, isn't Little Saigon in the next town over? (Little Saigon has the largest E. Asian population in the USA, for those who don't know. It even has one of those green highway signs directing to the 'next exit' along the freeway). Seems like I see another city limit sign right before we turn on the street that takes us to the jewelry mart parking lot. Westminster? Like most of S. California, all the towns run together......

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Wurzig

Now that I am thinking about it, isn't Little Saigon in the next town over? (Little Saigon has the largest E. Asian population in the USA, for those who don't know. It even has one of those green highway signs directing to the 'next exit' along the freeway). Seems like I see another city limit sign right before we turn on the street that takes us to the jewelry mart parking lot. Westminster? Like most of S. California, all the towns run together......

Yeah, Little Saigon is in Westminster but it's quickly expanding south. In 20 years I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference between Westminster and Fountain Valley.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Wurzig

There is a huge variety of gold, gems and jade, but once again, it's good to be with somebody who can identify higher quality items. (i.e., it all looks great to me, but my friend knows which merchants are more trustworthy with their wares).

Hey Wurzig I know what you mean. My wife and I got our wedding rings in that indoor mall. 24K white gold, diamond insert (on wife's ring) plus engraving for $100/ea.

We don't get harrassed by anybody when we go there. Sometime we'll even brave enough to go into asian markets. They have fresh veggies and seafood at much cheaper price. Our favorite was chillean white seabass!

[lapommedeterre]

if you are thinking of moving to fountain valley you should just move to huntington beach =)

[thrive4life]

I agree that Fountain Valley is a nice place to live. I pass by Fountain Valley a lot and work out at a local gym there. I don't find it any different than Huntington Beach.

Matthew
Swimventure.com
Pool Manager/ Head Coach
Learn to Swim!

[mrsltd]

Originally Posted by thrive4life

I agree that Fountain Valley is a nice place to live. I pass by Fountain Valley a lot and work out at a local gym there. I don't find it any different than Huntington Beach.

Matthew
Swimventure.com
Pool Manager/ Head Coach
Learn to Swim!

Except that FV's street signs are black on white and the city sits lower in elevation than much of inland HB.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by mrsltd

Except that FV's street signs are black on white and the city sits lower in elevation than much of inland HB.

there's a reason why they called it "fountain" valley

[TSO2.0]

Originally Posted by lapommedeterre

if you are thinking of moving to fountain valley you should just move to huntington beach =)

Originally Posted by thrive4life

I agree that Fountain Valley is a nice place to live. I pass by Fountain Valley a lot and work out at a local gym there. I don't find it any different than Huntington Beach.

Matthew
Swimventure.com
Pool Manager/ Head Coach
Learn to Swim!

Either of these...you can live in FV and do everything else in HB if you like. I would bet a lot of folks wouldn't even know where some of the borders are between the two cities. I lived in HB for about 12 years and FV about 5 years and the move didn't affect my life in the smallest way.

[Lycanmaster]

It is definitely a nice area with a solid middle-class aura, close to the beach so it rarely ever gets too hot and humid.