OC Best & Worst (Sacramento, Aliso Viejo: transplants, low crime, house)

[MommaMel33]

My husband and I are relocating to Southern CA in June/July, and are pretty sure that we want to land somewhere in OC, but are still debating other cities/areas of the SoCal region. That said, I'd like to just take a quick poll:

What would you say is/are the best and worst thing(s) about living in OC (or a specific city therein)? I think I'm more interested in the worst, as there seems to be so many great things for the "best" column.

Thanks.

[Joe Van Fossen]

As for worst... personally, I'd say traffic. But that largely depends on which direction you're going.

OC is pretty much a vast suburb, so you don't have the same kind of public transportation, nightlife, and walk-ability as more urban areas.

Aside from that, it's hard for me to say. OC is big enough that one negative or positive thing might apply to one area and not another (e.g. good schools, low crime, good weather year-round).

[CAVA1990]

Best: the ocean. I prefer being out on or in it to sitting on a beach.
Worst: transplants (just kidding).

[MommaMel33]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Worst: transplants (just kidding).

HA! Yeah, we're typical native Californians--somewhat transient. We usually spend about 10 years in an area, and then move on: Bay Area, SF city, Sacramento/Central Valley, now OC.

[Coldjensens]

Having moved our family after 18 years in OC, we found we missed the Mountains and restaurants the most. some miss the perfect weather, some disliked it, some say it is a push. Hiking in the flat is just not as good. I miss my booming career and huge income. (It is hard to start over professionally). We miss our friends as well, but that is true anywhere.

If we were to return, it would probably be trees (forests) truly green greenery and water we would miss the most, oh, and the diving without stopping. One more thing, the giant house on an acre of land surrounded by forest with a major river in the front yard. So I guess that gives you our best and worst.

That is setting aside family and friends. I am assuming you refer to physical things.

[Leonard64]

Originally Posted by MommaMel33

My husband and I are relocating to Southern CA in June/July, and are pretty sure that we want to land somewhere in OC, but are still debating other cities/areas of the SoCal region. That said, I'd like to just take a quick poll:

What would you say is/are the best and worst thing(s) about living in OC (or a specific city therein)? I think I'm more interested in the worst, as there seems to be so many great things for the "best" column.

Thanks.

Worst:

Crowds of people flocking to the same places
High cost of living
Traffic
Regulations and the bureaucracy's that enforce them. This can include HOA's which I truly dislike.
Small lots with neighbors within almost arms reach.

Best:

Weather
Number of things to do
Proximity to Beach, MTN's, Desert
Restaurants

[MommaMel33]

Originally Posted by Leonard64

Worst:

Crowds of people flocking to the same places
High cost of living
Traffic
Regulations and the bureaucracy's that enforce them. This can include HOA's which I truly dislike.
Small lots with neighbors within almost arms reach.

Best:

Weather
Number of things to do
Proximity to Beach, MTN's, Desert
Restaurants

You have pretty much summed up my findings.

Question: What are these "same places" you mention everyone is "flocking to," and where would you suggest people migrating to the region go?

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by MommaMel33

Question: What are these "same places" you mention everyone is "flocking to," and where would you suggest people migrating to the region go?

I read that as meaning whenever you want to go out and do something (beach, mountains, outdoor events or recreation) you'll find the place overrurn by others doing the same thing. That's a major difference I've noticed from where I live now. It's just a function of too many people with the same interests living near too few places to do those things. That's definitely something I don't miss.

[pacific2]

It’s easy to have the perception that everything is crowded if one lives far away and repeatedly reads that on the internet. The reality, however, differs.

South County roads and freeways are definitely crowded, but there is plenty of open space in parks and by the ocean (if you time it right).

We have about 23 parks in Aliso Viejo and they are never crowded. The soccer field at Creekside in AV is popular, but other than that, you usually pretty much have the park to yourself.

Not crowded and just a few minutes away from me (Okay, one hall was packed Saturday night because Yo-Yo Ma was performing):

Soka University of America Performing Arts Center - YouTube

Not crowded and just a few minutes away from me:

Wood Canyon trail uphill GoPro HD @ Aliso Viejo, CA 07/2012 - YouTube

[pacific2]

Not crowded and just a few minutes away from me (Neighborhood Cup):

You, My Light - Dream - YouTube

Town Center is the most crowded place in Aliso, but it's not really very crowded and a recent study showed there to be an excess of parking spaces:

Aliso Viejo Town Center - YouTube