Commute from Ladera Ranch to John Wayne Airport Area (Santa Ana: real estate, apartment) - Orange County - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

brejohns · 06-02-2010, 10:25 AM

I am moving from out of state for a new job in Santa Ana, very close to John Wayne airport. I was thinking of Ladera Ranch for a home, does anyone know of an estimated commute to and from for a 9-5 type job? Are there toll roads to take? Obviously, I know very little about the area as I am from out of state. Thanks.

Mr. Fantastic · 06-02-2010, 12:18 PM

Ladera to SNA would be a moderate commute. Probably 5 to 405, exit Jamboree or MacArthur. That's around 12-15 miles I think. Traffic in the morning though so it might be a little rough, maybe 30-40 minutes during peak.

Nugget · 06-02-2010, 03:20 PM

You could take the 73 depending on where in Ladera Ranch you live and where in Santa Ana you work. It's a toll road.

USCTrojanCPA · 06-02-2010, 04:06 PM

You might have the most traffic getting on and off Crown Valley Parkway from the 5 Freeway, it's a huge bottleneck. Have you considered other areas like Irvine, Aliso Viejo, or even Laguna Niguel? Living in any of those areas will cut your commute by 30-80%.

brejohns · 06-02-2010, 05:30 PM

I have a family and thought the community amenities of Ladera Ranch would be desirable (pool, parks, schools, etc). Any suggestions for places to look in Irvine, Aliso Viejo or Laguna Nigel.

USCTrojanCPA · 06-02-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brejohns

I have a family and thought the community amenities of Ladera Ranch would be desirable (pool, parks, schools, etc). Any suggestions for places to look in Irvine, Aliso Viejo or Laguna Nigel.

Irvine has all of the amenities that Ladera as does Aliso Viejo. With Aliso Viejo you want to stay around the 73 Freeway, that's where most of the amenities are located. Irvine has many areas like Quail Hill, Oak Creek, Woodbury, Woodbridge, Westpark, and Turtle Rock to name a few. Home and rental prices will be the most expensive in Irvine. That being said, cutting down on your commute will leave you more time for your family. Are you guys looking for a home, condo, or apartment to rent?

brejohns · 06-03-2010, 09:28 AM

We are looking for a home. $850k is our budget.

Lexster05 · 06-03-2010, 10:48 AM

I live in Ladera Ranch and Commute to Irvine.

First... Ladera Ranch is a wonderful, family oriented community. There are a lot of parks and other amenities specifically for families.

There is a lot of inventory in Ladera Ranch... your budget could afford you a single family home - easily. You definitely get more bang for your buck than you would around Irvine or Aliso Viejo.

However... this is my honest opinion to you.... Even though you can get a deal on a house in Ladera Ranch, and the community is terrific... the high HOA is a negative. Of course if you're looking for a newer home (in the last 10 yrs) in Irvine, the HOA in Ladera is less. HOA for me is around $360 a month. You could use that $360 and put it towards a bigger home somewhere in Mission Viejo that has no HOA...but the homes are much older.

Commuting...

In the mornings, if I leave before 7AM... I can take the 5 & 405 Freeways to Irvine and it takes about 20-25 minutes. If I leave around 7:30AM... the time doubles. It would take me 15 minutes just to get from Ladera Ranch down to the 5 freeway. However, if you leave after 8:30AM... traffic lessens but you're still looking at a 30+ minute commute.

I also take the toll road (73). Usually no traffic at all..unless there is an accident. Again, depending what time you leave, most of the traffic you may encounter will be on Crown Valley but once you get on the 73, it takes 10-15 minutes to get to John Wayne Airport. You just have to be careful with CHP. For peak toll times, the cost is $4.75 each way if you have a toll transponder. Otherwise it is $5.50 if you have to pay cash.

Now commuting back to Ladera Ranch.... taking the 405 to the 5 to either Crown Valley or Avery can take 20-25 minutes if you leave before 4PM or after 6:30PM on most days. However... you should expect a 40-60 minute commute. If you take the toll roads back, it will take you 15-20 minutes to get from Irvine to Greenfield...but it would then take you 15-20minutes to go up Crown Valley to Ladera Ranch.

Hope this helps.

USCTrojanCPA · 06-03-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brejohns

We are looking for a home. $850k is our budget.

Since you guys are moving from out of town, I would HIGHLY recommend that you guys rent for a year to really make sure that you like the neighborhood you pick. The worst thing is to settle and buy into a neighborhood that you are not familiar with as real estate transaction costs are high for selling a home. Call it a cheap insurance. If you guys like the neighborhood then you can buy a home there, but if you don't then you can look elsewhere while waiting for your lease to expire.

USCTrojanCPA · 06-03-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexster05

I live in Ladera Ranch and Commute to Irvine.

First... Ladera Ranch is a wonderful, family oriented community. There are a lot of parks and other amenities specifically for families.

There is a lot of inventory in Ladera Ranch... your budget could afford you a single family home - easily. You definitely get more bang for your buck than you would around Irvine or Aliso Viejo.

However... this is my honest opinion to you.... Even though you can get a deal on a house in Ladera Ranch, and the community is terrific... the high HOA is a negative. Of course if you're looking for a newer home (in the last 10 yrs) in Irvine, the HOA in Ladera is less. HOA for me is around $360 a month. You could use that $360 and put it towards a bigger home somewhere in Mission Viejo that has no HOA...but the homes are much older.

Commuting...

In the mornings, if I leave before 7AM... I can take the 5 & 405 Freeways to Irvine and it takes about 20-25 minutes. If I leave around 7:30AM... the time doubles. It would take me 15 minutes just to get from Ladera Ranch down to the 5 freeway. However, if you leave after 8:30AM... traffic lessens but you're still looking at a 30+ minute commute.

I also take the toll road (73). Usually no traffic at all..unless there is an accident. Again, depending what time you leave, most of the traffic you may encounter will be on Crown Valley but once you get on the 73, it takes 10-15 minutes to get to John Wayne Airport. You just have to be careful with CHP. For peak toll times, the cost is $4.75 each way if you have a toll transponder. Otherwise it is $5.50 if you have to pay cash.

Now commuting back to Ladera Ranch.... taking the 405 to the 5 to either Crown Valley or Avery can take 20-25 minutes if you leave before 4PM or after 6:30PM on most days. However... you should expect a 40-60 minute commute. If you take the toll roads back, it will take you 15-20 minutes to get from Irvine to Greenfield...but it would then take you 15-20minutes to go up Crown Valley to Ladera Ranch.

Hope this helps.

Great summary. The area is very nice, family friendly, and has a lot of amenities plus a home can be picked up around $250/sf. The big negatives are the commute, the high Mello Roos & HOA, the 0.25% community enrichment fee you pay to buy and sell a home there, and many homes are around the power lines.