WEST Floral Park specifically... (Santa Ana, Lakewood: homes, neighborhoods, to buy)

[rds511]

Good morning! Looking at homes in this area (near Santiago Elem.) and just curious about the neighborhood from a "locals" point of view. We're currently in N. Tustin (which we love but can't afford to buy in) and think West Floral Park is somewhat similar to where we are now. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Coldjensens]

West Floral Park is kind of the poor stepsister of Floral Park. It is decent, but not as nice as Floral Park. It butts up to some areas that are not great and I would not want to be in the outer edges of WFP where it contacts less desireable neighborhoods. It also Butts up to Floral Park which is very nice.

Most of the homes in WFP are pretty much non-descript 1960s and 1970s ranch homes. THere is not much that is exciting and not much that is awful. Most homes are just a house.

You probably do nto want a home there that is too close to 17th street. You will get a lot of noise from 17th.

Overall it is an ok neighborhood. The neighbors seem freindly and look out for each other. I am not sure which schools cover WFP. You may want to look into that. You may also want to visit WFP and just stop and ask some of the residents what they think.

If you can find a home in Flroal Park or in Park Santiago, I would look there first, but personally, I would nto be adverse to living in WFP. (It gets a little crazy there in 4th of July. A lot of people have parties and light the legal "safe and Sane" fireworks along with illegal, unsafe and insane fireworks as well.)

[rds511]

Thank you! Good to know info! We did drive through right around the time the elem. school was getting out for the day and it was a zoo but in a good way. Lots of happpy kids and frazzled parents. Reminded us of Lakewood with the big trees and older bungalow style homes. We aren't looking for our forever home; just a starter to get us into the market and a nice, safe friendly neighborhood where we can BBQ with the neighbors and walk the dog in the evenings without being afraid to be outside after dark.

[Coldjensens]

You should not be afraid walking around at night as long as you stay inside WFP or Floral Park. The same is true of park santiago. If you go much outside of your neighborhood you can get into some yucky areas and may not feel comfortable and safe.

Schools can be a problem but if you are in the same school zone as Floral Park, their elementary school is OK, or you can go to John Muir Fundamental (I think that there is one other fundamental elementary school that is decent). There is a new arts acaadamy near OCHSA but I do not kow whether it turned out to be a good school or not. For Middle School there is Villa, The one by Santa Ana College (Mendez maybe?) or MacArthur. OCHSA middle school was very good if you can get in. For high School OCHSA is the best choice if your kids can get in. OCHSA is a charter school for kids with unusual skills in some form of arts, but their academics are execellent as well. Middle College at Santa Ana College is pretty good but they only have certain grades (11 and 12 I think). Otherwise, check on Segerstrom, you could consider Santa Ana high, but look at it carefully, or private school.

We lived in French Park which is surrounded by more yuck than WFP and FP are. We were not uncomfortable going for a walk at night, but we would not allow our kids to go out alone at night, unless they were just going down the street. There were usually quite a few nieghbors out walking which improves the safety factor. Never had any problems. We have huge dogs (170+ pound mastiffs) so no one would come near us anyway, but we really did nto have any issues.