Help with relocation to OC...

[Vary]

Originally Posted by bavedv

I'm surprised to hear you say Aliso Veijo / LN is a short walk to the beach, when I google map it, it says its a couple of hours - is that right?

No, Google maps made some sort of mistake there. Depending on which part of AV or LN you live, it's at most about a 15 minute drive to the beach, and some LN neighborhoods have walk/bike trails down to the ocean--on the ocean side of Crown Valley Parkway.

Dana Point, AV and LN are all very viable options if you work in Irvine, and have a lot to offer families, especially with young children.

[pacific2]

Although the architectural style in Aliso, as in most newer South County communities, is usually pretty bland, I doubt that anyone moves here because of the housing styles (Honestly, other than Nellie Gail Ranch and parts of San Juan Capistrano, I'm not impressed by much of what I see in OC; and there are a lot of mid-century tract homes in Central and North OC).

People deal with the blandness by renovating the interior. Some also buy a home, like this one, with spectacular views:
21 GLITTERING SKY, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 | MLS# OC13124330 | Redfin

Or, they get a place like this:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Aliso-Viejo.../home/17472155

[bavedv]

Thanks again all.
I've been looking at an area just back from Aliso Beach, behind the Montage Resort, does anyone know anything about this location? Seems like a few nice streets back there and close to the beach and even a 9 hole golf course. They have a couple of 2 bed condos on for around 700k which doesn't seem too bad given the location to the beach. Would welcome anyones thoughts on this area if they know it?
Cheers

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by bavedv

Thanks again all.
I've been looking at an area just back from Aliso Beach, behind the Montage Resort, does anyone know anything about this location? Seems like a few nice streets back there and close to the beach and even a 9 hole golf course. They have a couple of 2 bed condos on for around 700k which doesn't seem too bad given the location to the beach. Would welcome anyones thoughts on this area if they know it?
Cheers

Is that Lantern Village? If so, those are really nice places and that's a great area. If it's Corniche, I would try to get a lot more information about the HOA (any special assessments or unusual problems?) since it seems they had mucho trouble moving those units before the recent upswing in the real estate market.

[Joe Van Fossen]

Originally Posted by bavedv

Thanks again all.
I've been looking at an area just back from Aliso Beach, behind the Montage Resort, does anyone know anything about this location? Seems like a few nice streets back there and close to the beach and even a 9 hole golf course. They have a couple of 2 bed condos on for around 700k which doesn't seem too bad given the location to the beach. Would welcome anyones thoughts on this area if they know it?
Cheers

If you're referring to the ones on Wesley, there is a land lease of about $21.95 due to expire in 2058. The units in Ocean Vista aren't on a land lease, but there is a bond of about $686/yr--which ends up being a lot more expensive than the land lease.

[bavedv]

Doesn't same the name of them, just the following two addresses...

21703 Ocean Vista Dr
21711 Wesley Dr

The condos seem pretty basic, but the location is great, there's a pre school within 5 minute walking and a grocery store etc. Seems a nice fit, but no doubt i'm missing something.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by bavedv

Doesn't same the name of them, just the following two addresses...

21703 Ocean Vista Dr
21711 Wesley Dr

The condos seem pretty basic, but the location is great, there's a pre school within 5 minute walking and a grocery store etc. Seems a nice fit, but no doubt i'm missing something.

Sorry, but for some reason I was thinking about Dana Point. Checkout Lantern Village in Dana Point.

[Joe Van Fossen]

Originally Posted by bavedv

Doesn't same the name of them, just the following two addresses...

21703 Ocean Vista Dr
21711 Wesley Dr

The condos seem pretty basic, but the location is great, there's a pre school within 5 minute walking and a grocery store etc. Seems a nice fit, but no doubt i'm missing something.

I don't think you're missing anything. The two you're looking at are both fairly small and have only one bathroom. The one on Ocean Vista needs updating and has been on the market for almost half a year. They were both built in the 60s. If those condos were in Lake Forest, you'd be paying less than half of that.