Moving from Mission Viejo CA to Northern VA (Arlington, Alexandria: neighborhoods, public schools)

[horseplayer]

I was looking at some property in Santa Ana. It was determined to be 90% hispanic. California is very unstable right now. Even though you don't need heating or cooling in some areas; the cost of living is sky high. Most avoid the beaches on the weekends.

In the six years that I lived in the East Bay, I witnessed two armed robberies, had one car jacking in front of my house, witnessed a homeless man jump in front of a Caltrans Truck, 3300 homes torched in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills, A full scale race riot, and a huge Earthquake, and had my car broken into three times.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by horseplayer

I was looking at some property in Santa Ana. It was determined to be 90% hispanic. California is very unstable right now. Even though you don't need heating or cooling in some areas; the cost of living is sky high. Most avoid the beaches on the weekends.

In the six years that I lived in the East Bay, I witnessed two armed robberies, had one car jacking in front of my house, witnessed a homeless man jump in front of a Caltrans Truck, 3300 homes torched in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills, A full scale race riot, and a huge Earthquake, and had my car broken into three times.

I can see that you didn't have positive experiences in California... although I'm having a hard time figuring out the relevance of the Hispanic population in the Santa Ana community you were considering.

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

You can put me down as another person who has struggled with the adjustment from California to Virginia. Don't get me wrong, this is a nice place to live and has many amenities that you don't get on this level anywhere else (Smithsonains, monuments and such) and aesthetically, I do think Virgina is beautiful but in a different way.

I agree with Normie about thinking twice about the move. My husband landed his dream job here; the opportunity is very unique and his specialty is somewhat exotic so we made the move. He put himself through his undergrad, masters, and PhD while working full time (before we met) and I just couldn't justify saying "no, I love California and don't want to leave even though you're the primary earner and have busted your butt your whole life in school). BUT, I won't lie to you; I know Mission Viejo and this is nothing like it. It's just a whole different vibe here and like I said, that's not necessarily a bad thing, just a reality. If I had no conscience I'd be back on the west coast in a snap but I love seeing my husband so happy and intellectually fulfilled. I guess I just love SoCal, warts and all.

I've been here for nine months now, my husband is thriving and is the happiest I've ever seen him so that is a big consolation to me. I know we will be here for the long haul unless something spectacular comes to him out of left field so I am hoping that like Normie, something magical happens to me that makes me stop all of my California dreamin' all the time.

You'll find smart, friendly folks here and a lot of west coast transplants. The other folks on this forum are great at providing spot on guidance relative to neighborhoods and such so they'll take great care of you there.

Best of luck to you here on the east coast and welcome to Virginia.

[HereinVA]

Just wanted to say hi! I grew up in Mission Viejo (graduated from Capo!) and now I'm living in Bristow VA. The biggest adjustment has been the weather, and being further from the beach than I've ever been. I hope your move to vA goes smoothly!

[normie]

Originally Posted by imisscarlsbadcalifornia

I am hoping that like Normie, something magical happens to me that makes me stop all of my California dreamin' all the time.

For us, the magical thing was kayaking. The river is so gorgeous, and it's one thing that really doesn't have a counterpart in southern california. There are a lot of other things I like (going to vineyards and such), but they weren't uniquely "Virginian" experiences. Then we got into the habit of kayaking, and that made being in Virginia special.

Getting out on the river is so peaceful... and if you get bored you can run the riffles or explore little coves and islands. I especially like going early in the morning and seeing all the birds. All sorts of song birds, geese, heron and of course the wacky cormorants. One time last year we glided into a flock of swans and they took flight just as we approached them. We've taken picnics and a bottle of wine and stop to explore the little islands.

The other thing that happened was getting close to our neighbors, making friends, that sort of thing. It takes time.

[claremarie]

Mission Viejo does have some awesome club swimming teams, but northern Virginia is no slouch in the swim team department. The Northern Virginia Swimming League is the largest summer swim program in the country (or so we were told before every swim meet), with member pools in nearly every community. Over 100 teams and 14,000+ swimmers. There are some well-respected USA Swimming year-round teams as well, including Curl-Burke, which has programs for all levels in Burke, the Tyson's Corner area, Ashburn, and elsewhere in the metro area, and FISH at Spring Hill Rec Center in McLean.

[EastBay-NowDCarea]

Originally Posted by imisscarlsbadcalifornia

I know we will be here for the long haul unless something spectacular comes to him out of left field so I am hoping that like Normie, something magical happens to me that makes me stop all of my California dreamin' all the time.

I know I painted a kind of negative picture of Virginia, but all places has it's negatives - including California. Virginia has a lot of positives going for it as well.

You might want to make a trip back to Carlsbad and spend a couple of weeks. That might stop your California dreamin'. Even though I've complained about Virginia, when I return back home to California I realize that I paint a much brighter picture about California and I realize that it's nice, but not as nice as I picture it when I'm in Virginia. And when I'm in Virginia, I paint a bad picture of Virgina, but once I'm back home in California I realize that Virginia is actually a nice place.

Just make sure you don't make that trip during the Winter, otherwise, you will continue to dream California.

The biggest gripe for a californian who is used to mild weather will definitely be the weather in Virginia.

[MacUser85]

I agree with the weather posts. I've lived here my whole life, but just find the winters and the humidity such a drag. It's kind of like we have some great days in April/early May and October and beyond that, it's either too hot or too cold for me. So someone who feels like that has California written all over them I guess...lol.

[Lisaloo99]

Awww, thanks everyone. It is such a relief to know I won't be "alone." I'll do some research on the areas mentioned. Thanks again!

[Yankeesfan]

To the OP, if swim teams are important to you, that rules out Kingstowne, which is family-friendly and has two nice pools but no swim team.