Historic/Architectural Pulse in Orange County?

[Fontucky]

I'll take that over Mission Viejo or Ladera any day.

[Curmudgeon]

For architecture of the 40s and 50s, look around the islands and beach fronts in Newplort Beach and the small towns of Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach. They may not be job-producing but I think you'll appreciate them. No cookie cutters!

[sadiepie]

I realize this is post is a few weeks old, but thought I'd give a shout out to the OP. I, too, live in St. Louis and will be moving to Orange County for my husband's job in Irvine. We live in a 100 hundred year old home in Tower Grove Heights and I am originally from New England. So the thoughts of tract homes all the same town after town after town is hard to swallow and it's challenging to get any data about places when looking around because everything looks the same. It is what we have avoided in all 5 cities we have lived in. That being said, I have two girls ages who will be 7 and 2 when we move. Finding a balance between family amenities/schools and a home/community with the spirit in which we love as a family is a challenge. Particularly in the price range of 600-700K. We are focusing on the positives and attempting to make a paradigm shift....it isn't all about the house anymore.

We have been looking at San Clemente since it would be a longer, but doable commute to both Irvine and San Diego for future job reasons. It has a more unique feel west of the 5. Perhaps we could compare notes? Good luck with your search and any info would be so helpful.

[DinsdalePirahna]

San Clemente is a good choice if your husband has to commute to Both Irvine and Sand Diego (and its a Long Commute either way), There are also older buildings (1930s - 1960's) in the area they you may be attracted too. If you like older building you will be disappointed. One of the bad things about OC is that the developers here tend to bulldoze history.

What you will like about SoCal is that unlike St. Louis, it is much easier to break into established social circles.

[Fontucky]

San Clemente offers excellent examples of the classic 1920s-1930s Southern California Spanish style (white stucco, red tile roofs, lots of arches and Catalina tile) as well as mid-century modern.

[sadiepie]

Yes the architecture is what we have liked and the city feel. My husband's job is currently in Irvine, but if he loses this job (always possible in this economy) San Diego is another job hub for him. We are currently struggling with giving in to the planned communities for family convenience (who knows maybe I've been fighting it too long and I will actually like it) but I am worried we will not and trying to find a balance. I grew up on the Atlantic ocean so some fog (gloom?) is ok, but one question: how much fog is there seriously? It sounds like from posts that the marine layer lasts for months on end. I suppose no worse than a cloudy winter

[Coldjensens]

You will haardly notice is until you hear people complaining about it.

It is not fog or mist like you get in the Northeast (and maybe the Northweest). It is a high up cloud layer that keeps the sun from shining through. It is still bright but it is a soft light like dwan or dusk. It burns off by 11 am. usually. It is galled June Gloom, but due to some change in weather patterns it now lasts into August. It is not awful, just not fully sunny. If you do not like it, just don't get up so early.

[DewDropInn]

Some of the most interesting home architecture is in, believe it or not, Anaheim. Known as The Colony district it's (generally) bordered by North, South, East and West streets.

http://www.anaheimcolony.com/Today/1Today.html

[Socalpal]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

Some of the most interesting home architecture is in, believe it or not, Anaheim. Known as The Colony district it's (generally) bordered by North, South, East and West streets.

The Anaheim Colony

There are a lot of cool neighborhoods by Downtown Anaheim