Seattle to OC....what to expect?

[wsugrad03]

Originally Posted by capoeira

This is very good advice. Look in Fountain Valley,all the schools are highly rated and Huntington Beach has several good ones.

California School Ratings - Orange County

I love Orange County but Irvine is one of the last places I would look to live. Too many oppressive homeowners association rules. Our friends lived there and they were told when to plant flowers and what kind. There are rules against car washing and opening your garage door. If you are looking for "good-natured, down to earth people" they will most likely be found in neighborhoods that value freedom over conformity.

You're kidding! Is there a blog out there just on these crazy HOA rules? I don't mind some HOA's, but if you have to assimilate into the "Borg Collective", I'm having second thoughts about the area. I'll look into the HB and Fountain Valley locations. My worry is I don't want to live close to any "buffer zones" that neighbor gang-infested ghettos. I'm not too familiar with the areas yet. Originally that was why we were looking at Irvine. It seems to be a solid neighborhood. We'll see what happens.

Thanks for the input!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by wsugrad03

You're kidding! Is there a blog out there just on these crazy HOA rules? I don't mind some HOA's, but if you have to assimilate into the "Borg Collective", I'm having second thoughts about the area. I'll look into the HB and Fountain Valley locations. My worry is I don't want to live close to any "buffer zones" that neighbor gang-infested ghettos. I'm not too familiar with the areas yet. Originally that was why we were looking at Irvine. It seems to be a solid neighborhood. We'll see what happens.

Thanks for the input!

Yeah, the HOA rules in Irvine really can be that bad. Who knows how strictly they are enforced, but all it takes is one busy-body with a set of binoculars and a rule book to make everyone's life miserable. There is one tract in Irvine that I know of without a HOA and that's Northwood. You might want to check it out if you do decide that Irvine is the right location.

Fountain Valley is a good area as long as you stay west of Euclid and south of Edinger. Not that crossing those streets puts you in a war zone or anything, just that they're not as nice and less like the rest of the city. I grew up in Fountain Valley and still live nearby so don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

Huntington Beach is generally nice but has some seedier pockets. You might have an apartment complex full of illegals and right across the street is a tract of well-kept $700k single family homes so its hard to generalize too much based on zip code or cross streets. Few single family homes are in what I would call a bad area but it does have its share of rundown condos and apartments scattered throughout.

[Broadmoor]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

You might have an apartment complex full of illegals and right across the street is a tract of well-kept $700k single family homes so its hard to generalize too much based on zip code or cross streets. Few single family homes are in what I would call a bad area but it does have its share of rundown condos and apartments scattered throughout.

This is very well put, and explains very accurately what Southern California is all about. You've got two housing choices here...either pick a really wonderful place which is so breathtakingly expensive, you'll never be able to afford to retire, ever. Or find something affordable in a mixed bag type of neighborhood with folks of varying economic situations and just make it work.

[oc2nyc]

My advice to you during this housing market is to rent. You will be able to get a feel for what area you want to settle in and you can adjust your standard of living to So. Ca. lifestyle. As far as people, it really depends on how much you put yourself out there. Typically I feel OC residents are pretty nice but don't always go out of their way to form new friendships. You need to be the one to initiate. Get involved in something and you won't have a problem.