Thoughts on why Orange County is heavenly (San Francisco, Santa Ana: apartment, house)

[killer2021]

beach babes, definitely beach babes.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Charles

hodge podge non-zoned neighborhoods with a pizza parlor next door to a brake shop next door to a pre-school next door to a church next door to three residences next door to a car wash, etc.

Kinda like all the older towns along the coast where most folks in the planned communities really want to live?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Yes .... incredibly cookie-cutter.

If your home isn't custom or at least semi custom or spec, then it is cookie cutter. So, probably 99% of Americans live in cookie cutter homes (including town homes and apartments).

[Charles]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Kinda like all the older towns along the coast where most folks in the planned communities really want to live?

Kind of.

In fact, examine the downtowns of the expensive beach communities in Southern California: Hermosa Beach, Redondo, Manhattan (and I'll venture to say San Clemente ????? though I haven't been there in 40 years). They aren't layed out any differently than Reseda or Inglewood except instead of Joe's Barber Shop or Manny's Auto Body you have some little overpriced boutique or a surf shop. Parking problems, narrow streets, lack of parks, tiny garages. Great for DINKS but not really practical for a five or six person family - and that's who lives there - DINKS, not families.

The little homes and apartments which serve as the residences for 98% of the people are actually kind of dumpy looking with power lines strung down from 1930s era power poles and other antiquated infrastructure. Take fairly inexpensive construction with nothing spectacular about the community except one thing - it's near the beach - and a $250K home becomes a $2500K home.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by Charles

If your home isn't custom or at least semi custom or spec, then it is cookie cutter. So, probably 99% of Americans live in cookie cutter homes (including town homes and apartments).

Yes mine is custom with a few acres and a killer view!

[josh u]

I don't see any advantage of OC over LA except for traffic. OC has beaches , so does LA. LA has more entertainment and nightlife. The climate between them is the same except for slightly less rain when you go far south like Irvine, compared with the areas north of LA.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Charles

Kind of.

In fact, examine the downtowns of the expensive beach communities in Southern California: Hermosa Beach, Redondo, Manhattan (and I'll venture to say San Clemente ????? though I haven't been there in 40 years). They aren't layed out any differently than Reseda or Inglewood except instead of Joe's Barber Shop or Manny's Auto Body you have some little overpriced boutique or a surf shop. Parking problems, narrow streets, lack of parks, tiny garages. Great for DINKS but not really practical for a five or six person family - and that's who lives there - DINKS, not families.

The little homes and apartments which serve as the residences for 98% of the people are actually kind of dumpy looking with power lines strung down from 1930s era power poles and other antiquated infrastructure. Take fairly inexpensive construction with nothing spectacular about the community except one thing - it's near the beach - and a $250K home becomes a $2500K home.

We call that "texture".

[Calix]

To Charles, mama, and all my fellow OC loving compatriots, cheers to our home.

To those who disparage this shangri-la, this el dorado of coastal California, my sympathies, for you hate something beautiful, unique, and precious. There are few places in this country that have what much of OC has. Family friendliness abounds, enthusiasm and optimism fill many hearts, and provide a gentle pause from the decay of the world, find repspite in this small slice of paradise.

Yet like the wings of a butterfly, it is delicate and fragile. The spirit of this place needs to be nurtured to ensure that this safe family enclave does not succumb to the cynicism and negativity that fills our world.

Orange County's spirit will live on through those like Charles who believe in making a place great, appreciate its virtues and work to preserve and protect them against those that despise and disparage.

I may sound overly optimistic, but I love my home and want to see it thrive!

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Charles

Kind of.

In fact, examine the downtowns of the expensive beach communities in Southern California: Hermosa Beach, Redondo, Manhattan (and I'll venture to say San Clemente ????? though I haven't been there in 40 years). They aren't layed out any differently than Reseda or Inglewood except instead of Joe's Barber Shop or Manny's Auto Body you have some little overpriced boutique or a surf shop. Parking problems, narrow streets, lack of parks, tiny garages. Great for DINKS but not really practical for a five or six person family - and that's who lives there - DINKS, not families.

So, who lived there before they got so expensive? More families would live there if they could afford it.

Having more stuff within walking distance is better for kids. The zoning in planned communities discourages walkability, said planned communities usually have next to no public transportation, and the entire structure of those communities encourages kids to leech off parents. Also, whoever said you can't raise kids in apartments?

The little homes and apartments which serve as the residences for 98% of the people are actually kind of dumpy looking with power lines strung down from 1930s era power poles and other antiquated infrastructure.

You seem to think "old" means "dumpy"

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by majoun

Also, whoever said you can't raise kids in apartments?

Anyone who wants some space and a yard for the kids.