Places to live in the OC?? (Irvine, Orange: apartment, high schools, prices)

[phpound]

My family is relocating from Northern CA to the OC. My job is in Aliso Viejo. Any suggestions on places to live? I have a young teenager so schools are important but not sure I like Irvine. Everything seems so precise or "boxy" there. Considering Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel or even Aliso Viejo. Would love to be close to the beach but expensive plus most in my price range don't have a yard (price range would be $600-$750).

Appreciate the help.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by phpound

Considering Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel or even Aliso Viejo. Would love to be close to the beach but expensive plus most in my price range don't have a yard (price range would be $600-$750).

Are you considering a studio apartment in those areas? I don't think you'll find something else in that price range in those cities.

[DinsdalePirahna]

I don't think you will find those prices anywhere in Orange County.

[Coldjensens]

I think that he means 650K which is plenty for anywhere except beach towns. Aliso Viejo is nice. Pretty much any place that is affordable with good schools is "boxy" if you mean a soulless stretch of suburbia where everything looks like it came out of the same box. But it is nice boxy.

Like a Volvo - Boxy but good.

Southern Orange County is one vast expanse of conformity. It is very difficult to tell one area from the next. (Except beach towns). Northern Orange County is not considered as "nice." Many people say there are too many "mexicans" in northern orange County. (They are not really all Mexicans, but include people from all over central and south America. - but hey to the generalizers, anyone who has dark hair and skin and is not of African descent is "Mexican"). While I persoanlly prefer north Orange County, most people seem to find it "icky" (e.g. lacking in conformity). Most of the "Better" (meaning more intensely competitive) schools are in South Orange County, however three or four of the top ten high schools are in North County.

The shorter your commute, the better your life. That is the Orange County mantra. Go for Aliso. Irvine schools are more highly rated, but they are absurdly competitive and your kids will end up in therapy for the rest of their lives.

[Coldjensens]

PS "The OC" Is neither cute nor cool. It will make some people instantly dislike you if you run around referring to Orange County as "The OC." That is an imaginary place in TV land that a lot of people are a bit miffed that it is believed to depict life in Orange County. This place is called Orange County. If you want to move to "The OC," that is up in Hollywood or perhaps Universal City.

Some people don't care, but others will want to slap you every time you say "The OC" (Some might actually slap you).

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

I think that he means 650K which is plenty for anywhere except beach towns.

LOL! I'm sure you're right. Time for me to engage my brain. Thanks for the wake up call!

[Axiom]

If your job is in Aliso Viejo I would suggest starting there and then expanding your search if necessary. I think "the shorter your commute, the better your life" advice is spot on.

[DinsdalePirahna]

Stupid me. I thought the OP was looking at rents around $600.00 - $750.00

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by DinsdalePirahna

Stupid me. I thought the OP was looking at rents around $600.00 - $750.00

Not unless he dropped some acid and imagined himself in a Hot Tub Time Machine.

[ragnarkar]

Maybe try Troy High in Fullerton?

Originally Posted by DinsdalePirahna

Stupid me. I thought the OP was looking at rents around $600.00 - $750.00

For a room in a shared house, that's still on the expensive side for N. OC