Possible relocation from Bay Area to OC (Orange, Mission Viejo: 2015, apartments)

[CaliforniaNative2]

We will be taking a road trip to Orange County next month. We are considering relocating from Bay Area, and would like to check out a few cities. As of now, we plan to check our Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, and are open to other neighboring cities. Any suggestions of specific things we should make sure to see, or other cities you’d recommend?

Our budget is $1.1m, and we’re seeking at least a 4 bedroom house in a family oriented community. An absolute must is a backyard with privacy, not interested in neighbors being able to stare over into our yard vice versa. We will be working from home most days of the week, so not too concerned about commute.

[Finper]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaNative2

We will be taking a road trip to Orange County next month. We are considering relocating from Bay Area, and would like to check out a few cities. As of now, we plan to check our Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, and are open to other neighboring cities. Any suggestions of specific things we should make sure to see, or other cities you’d recommend?

Our budget is $1.1m, and we’re seeking at least a 4 bedroom house in a family oriented community. An absolute must is a backyard with privacy, not interested in neighbors being able to stare over into our yard vice versa. We will be working from home most days of the week, so not too concerned about commute.

I’d check out Coto De Casa if you want privacy. Lots of new developments in south county are with houses crammed together to Get as many houses in a development as possible

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaNative2

We will be taking a road trip to Orange County next month. We are considering relocating from Bay Area, and would like to check out a few cities. As of now, we plan to check our Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, and are open to other neighboring cities. Any suggestions of specific things we should make sure to see, or other cities you’d recommend?

Our budget is $1.1m, and we’re seeking at least a 4 bedroom house in a family oriented community. An absolute must is a backyard with privacy, not interested in neighbors being able to stare over into our yard vice versa. We will be working from home most days of the week, so not too concerned about commute.

Good luck with that one because South County houses are close together. This one might offer some degree of privacy:

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Aliso-Viej...6/home/4885132

Other cities/communities to consider include Dana Point, Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo.

Try Redfin.com.

[CaliforniaNative2]

Thanks, I’ll take a peek.

Originally Posted by Finper

I’d check out Coto De Casa if you want privacy. Lots of new developments in south county are with houses crammed together to Get as many houses in a development as possible

[CaliforniaNative2]

I’ll add these to the list. Do you think we can reasonably see all of these areas in an afternoon?

Originally Posted by pacific2

Good luck with that one because South County houses are close together. This one might offer some degree of privacy:

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Aliso-Viej...6/home/4885132

Other cities/communities to consider include Dana Point, Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo.

Try Redfin.com.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaNative2

I’ll add these to the list. Do you think we can reasonably see all of these areas in an afternoon?

I doubt that you would be able to spend time looking at more than one house, but you should be able to drive through all of the communities listed in one afternoon since they are all relatively small and close by one another.

In fact, it's not uncommon for people in this area to visit several South County cities in one day without even thinking about it.

Here's a drone's eye view of Aliso Viejo (Roughly 7 sq mi in area):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISgGMqlB4W4
.

[CaliforniaNative2]

We plan to drive through different cities, not see houses, glad that we’ll be able
to knock it out in a day. I’m going to check out video, thanks!
In your opinion, what is the biggest differences between these cities?

Originally Posted by pacific2

I doubt that you would be able to spend time looking at more than one house, but you should be able to drive through all of the communities listed in one afternoon since they are all relatively small and close by one another.

In fact, it's not uncommon for people in this area to visit several South County cities in one day without even thinking about it.

Here's a drone's eye view of Aliso Viejo (Roughly 7 sq mi in area):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISgGMqlB4W4
.

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaNative2

I’ll add these to the list. Do you think we can reasonably see all of these areas in an afternoon?

Imo don’t try to see a bunch of homes at once. You’ll get the features mixed up. I tried that. By the time I got home I was exhausted and all the noises were basically one big jumble.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaNative2

We plan to drive through different cities, not see houses, glad that we’ll be able
to knock it out in a day. I’m going to check out video, thanks!
In your opinion, what is the biggest differences between these cities?

There are some differences and some similarities:

Aliso Viejo-Newer master-planned city. Mini tech and mini biomed center which has always attracted young people. *Lot's of tech startups. IMHO, a bit more willing to take risks than most other South County cities. America's only Buddhist-inspired university is here. Green-orientation with plans to develop a small ranch into an organic teaching farm. Still, it's very family-oriented. Lately, more older people than in the past have moved into the city. Housing mostly consists of attached units (Apartments, condos, and townhouses) with relatively few SFRs. About 10-15 minutes away from the beach. Hilly with lots of parks, hiking, and biking. Restaurants are mostly of the chain type, but the city has commissioned an urban planning firm to make recommendations for a major redevelopment to attract different restaurants, boutiques, and other independent shops.

Dana Point-Quiet coastal community which seems to mostly attract an older crowd. Not master-planned. Contains a range of homes from the modest to the very expensive. Marina. Nice restaurants. Lots of parks, hiking and biking. Undergoing some major redevelopment, but still retains a small town feel.

Laguna Niguel-Older master planned and hilly with lots of trees. Beach-close. Lots of SFRs and also some attached units. Seems to mostly appeal to older people. Very settled feel.

Ladera Ranch- Family oriented newer master-planned community. Very child friendly. A bit more inland. Trees, parks, etc.

Rancho Mission Viejo-New. I have never visited, just read about it and also heard from others, but it seems to be a fairly typical master-planned South County community with a family-orientation. Hiking and biking trails.

Mission Viejo-Older master-planned community with more SFRs than attached housing. Very settled feel. Lots of trees and parks. Seems to mostly appeal to older people.

Others may wish to chime in, especially if they live in the areas listed and can offer first-hand accounts.

* Aliso Viejo is a hotbed of entrepreneurship among Southern California cities, study finds
https://www.ocregister.com/2015/05/0...s-study-finds/

[ElDiabloJoe]

San Clemente, both original (beach) side and new side (Talega AKA East San Clemente).