I can’t stand Irvine, personally. You must visit before you decide. It’s a planned community- by the Irvine Company- and not a particularly attractive one at that, sort of dated looking. Also, not sure if you care, it’s about half Asian and Indian.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who posted about my nephew's move. Thanks to those who responded with this very helpful advice! My guess is he will prioritize as follows:

cost
commute -- to downtown Santa Ana
safety (or maybe this is my priority as his auntie)
recreational opportunities -- swimming, biking, running
restaurants

To me, it sounds like Irvine is his best bet and Woodbury would work well. Two questions, though:

What about living closer to the UCI campus? Would that be more expensive? What would be the benefits of that area as compared to Woodbury?

One PP mentioned Costa Mesa or south Santa Ana -- any more thoughts on that area?

And, what about downtown Santa Ana? That would mean a very short commute, but he's been told that otherwise, there's nothing else to recommend that area. Is that right?

Thanks again, LA moms and dads!

Did he ask you to do this? Didn’t you post months ago re his clerkship? Seems weird because you don't know the area and aren't clear on his preferences.

Wrong about DTSA. More going on there than Woodbury. DTSA is more hipster (Biergarten/bars, food hall, indie theater, arts walk, live music) and relatively pedestrian-friendly. CM is more commercial — malls, multiplexes, arts complex and the landscape is very car-oriented. Woodbury is a sterile, suburban, family-oriented environment. Irvine does do bike lanes/paths well but they wouldn’t connect to his workplace, so it’d be more recreational. Also there are hiking/running trails near by. They also do pools well. Area near UCI is generally either expensive or university housing. There’s a town center with a movie theater, a TJs and places to eat (and a strip mall with groceries and ice cream and a liquor store IIRC), but it’s not a happening college town atmosphere and not convenient to DTSA.

These are very different environments and WYSIWYG, so he needs to visit and take a look. If that’s not do-able, web searches will show him pictures, businesses, events, etc.

I'm the PP who posted about my nephew's move. Thanks to those who responded with this very helpful advice! My guess is he will prioritize as follows:

cost
commute -- to downtown Santa Ana
safety (or maybe this is my priority as his auntie)
recreational opportunities -- swimming, biking, running
restaurants

To me, it sounds like Irvine is his best bet and Woodbury would work well. Two questions, though:

What about living closer to the UCI campus? Would that be more expensive? What would be the benefits of that area as compared to Woodbury?

One PP mentioned Costa Mesa or south Santa Ana -- any more thoughts on that area?

And, what about downtown Santa Ana? That would mean a very short commute, but he's been told that otherwise, there's nothing else to recommend that area. Is that right?

Thanks again, LA moms and dads!

One thing to consider. there is no “nightlife” in Irvine. It has fantastic outdoor recreation amenities, so if your nephew values that, he may like it. But otherwise Irvine is designed more to appeal to upper middle class families and maybe young couples. If he wants to live near bars, clubs, live music venues, late night restaurants, etc, I would suggest Costa Mesa and south coast metro area of Santa Ana as more suitable neighborhoods. They will be closer to the job in Santa Ana as well.

Anonymous wrote:The city of Irvine has absolutely insanely competitive schools. There are so many of national merit-semi finalist. People move there for the schools and many then realize it wasn’t the best idea unless your kid is super smart and hard-working and has been taking prep classes. It is the type of place where kids are studying algebra, biology, physics, calculus, etc. with the actual textbook during the summer then taking the same class during the year so they are really prepared for the class.
Be careful what you wish for if you insist on moving to the area with the best schools around Irvine.

this is advice for a single 26 year old guy. I don’t think he cares about the schools. I personally have not found the Irvine schools to be cut throat as you describe. maybe because my kids are in middle school. The elementary and so far middle school
academic experience has been very relaxed thus far. if anything, what’s more stressful are the insane travel sports parents. not the academics.

Almost every neighborhood in Irvine is in an HOA and has one or more HOA pools. Many pools are heated year round. Renting a condo from a private landlord comes with access to HOA amenities including neighborhood pool, neighborhood tennis courts, etc. He can bike/run, even swim, year round in Irvine. January highs usually range in the mid 60s, but there have been occasions where it’s 80 degrees on New Year’s Day.

The city of Irvine has absolutely insanely competitive schools. There are so many of national merit-semi finalist. People move there for the schools and many then realize it wasn’t the best idea unless your kid is super smart and hard-working and has been taking prep classes. It is the type of place where kids are studying algebra, biology, physics, calculus, etc. with the actual textbook during the summer then taking the same class during the year so they are really prepared for the class.
Be careful what you wish for if you insist on moving to the area with the best schools around Irvine.

Irvine resident here. Woodbury is nice for young professionals. There is a great multipurpose running/biking trail that runs through the Woodbury neighborhood called the Jeffrey Open Space Trail. Other communities that connect to this trail are Cypress Village and Stonegate. Also recommend renting a condo from a private landlord rather than a place in a large apt complex owned by The Irvine Company. All of Irvine is safe; there’s no “bad” areas; just pick the best location in terms of ease of commute. He will definitely need a car living in Orange County. depending on where the job is in Santa Ana, he may want to live near easy access to the 5, or the 405 (if in The South Coast Metro business area of Santa Ana)

^^^ -- Is he better off looking on the other side of the 5? Again, TIA for your suggestions.

My nephew will be working in Santa Ana for a year and is looking for an apartment to rent. Online he's finding rentals in his price range in Irvine, especially in the Woodbury neighborhood. If you know the area, I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have on safety, transportation, shopping, etc. He's 26 and will be working fairly long hours. In his free time he enjoys cycling, running, swimming, etc. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Irvine near the beach would be anywhere close to UC Irvine. There's an area called Turtle Rock right around UC Irvine. Google for home prices. Nice area. It's not a beach area, but this area of is Irvine is close to the beach.

Newport Beach and Corona del Mar are beach cities adjacent to Irvine. Newport Beach, surprisingly does not hold the HHI record in Orange County because the city built a lot of apartments.

My meaning is there are a lot of apartments in Newport Beach, in case you decide to take one of poster's advice to rent.

Irvine near the beach would be anywhere close to UC Irvine. There's an area called Turtle Rock right around UC Irvine. Google for home prices. Nice area. It's not a beach area, but this area of is Irvine is close to the beach.

Newport Beach and Corona del Mar are beach cities adjacent to Irvine. Newport Beach, surprisingly does not hold the HHI record in Orange County because the city built a lot of apartments.

I live in Irvine.

Closest beach towns are Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. They are both ritzy - I don't think you could get the size you want with your budget but you could look.

North from there is Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. They attract a younger crowd.

South is Alieo Viejo and Laguna Nigel. These are not on the beach but pretty close to Laguna Beach. There are more typical suburbs with families.

Public schools in an area with your budget should be pretty good wherever it is in Orange County.

I highly recommend renting first. Different areas have different 'culture' to it and you may decide to trade in proximity to water for space especially if you have kids.

I would search on trulia. Put in your budget and Irvine.
You’ll gets some hits. Irvine is in the OC which is a different county then LA

Husband is considering accepting a job offer in Irvine CA. We are looking for recommendations for areas that we might consider for our house hunt. I would love to live near the beach. Our budget is probably around 1.5mil and would like 4-5 beds for that. Any recommendations or considerations are much appreciated. Be also have two elementary school aged boys, so schools are important.