From the Bay Area to OC - best place to settle down (Long Beach: real estate) - Orange County - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

MikeSF777 · 06-17-2021, 04:29 PM

We're a family of 4(two kids 2 and 5) looking to move from the Bay Area to Orange County. We're considering Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach(though likely not in our budget). At first, we'd probably get a short term lease and then will be looking to buy a house or townhome. Our budget will be 1.1-1.2mil. The priority will be good/excellent public schools, safe neighborhood and quality of housing that we could afford.

I work in tech for a large IT company and will be working from home. My partner works in marketing and probably will have to look for a new job if we move from the Bay Area. So my another question is where do people actually work in OC? What are the top industries for professionals? And what cities have most jobs? Cost of living is very high in OC. What do middle and upper middle class professionals do to be able to afford it?

Any recommendations? We've only been to Anaheim and Long Beach but I know that there're many great places in OC that we never heard of.

TimTheEnchanter · 06-17-2021, 04:58 PM

In no particular order, Placentia, Irvine, Tustin (especially North Tustin), Foothill Ranch, Baker Ranch, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and San Juan Capistrano (inland, in the San Juan Hills area).

saibot · 06-17-2021, 05:28 PM

All the cities you mentioned are coastal except Irvine. Is being very close to the beach important to you? (Long Beach isn't in OC, btw.)

All the south OC cities Tim mentioned are nice, and you can add Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita (my city, but fairly far inland), and Laguna Hills. I'd avoid most areas that are both north of Tustin and inland. Brea, Placentia, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda are okay though.

I don't have good answers for you on the jobs/affordability question. Frankly, a lot of people living here are longtime residents who bought when real estate was orders of magnitude cheaper than it is now. I don't know how the newbies do it, either. Irvine is probably the job hub.

MikeSF777 · 06-17-2021, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saibot

All the cities you mentioned are coastal except Irvine. Is being very close to the beach important to you? (Long Beach isn't in OC, btw.)

All the south OC cities Tim mentioned are nice, and you can add Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita (my city, but fairly far inland), and Laguna Hills. I'd avoid most areas that are both north of Tustin and inland. Brea, Placentia, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda are okay though.

I don't have good answers for you on the jobs/affordability question. Frankly, a lot of people living here are longtime residents who bought when real estate was orders of magnitude cheaper than it is now. I don't know how the newbies do it, either. Irvine is probably the job hub.

Yes, we will prefer to be closer to the ocean.

TimTheEnchanter · 06-18-2021, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeSF777

Yes, we will prefer to be closer to the ocean.

Then I'm afraid you'll need to double or triple your budget. My parents first house in Corona del Mar, a 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 954 sq ft home, has an estimated value of $2.5 million or so right now.

saibot · 06-18-2021, 09:59 AM

For family-friendly, good schools, proximity to jobs and close to the beach without actually being a beach city, I'd recommend Aliso Viejo for you.

Knee-jerk response you will probably get most often is Irvine, which commands higher prices just for being "Irvine," not because it's better than other options. You don't need to get sucked into it.

MikeSF777 · 06-20-2021, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saibot

For family-friendly, good schools, proximity to jobs and close to the beach without actually being a beach city, I'd recommend Aliso Viejo for you.

Knee-jerk response you will probably get most often is Irvine, which commands higher prices just for being "Irvine," not because it's better than other options. You don't need to get sucked into it.

Aliso Viejo looks like a great option. I think our top options now: Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Huntington Beach. Any advice on these places?

TimTheEnchanter · 06-21-2021, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeSF777

Aliso Viejo looks like a great option. I think our top options now: Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Huntington Beach. Any advice on these places?

Aliso Niguel and Laguna Niguel are fine, Huntington Beach I'd be more cautious in; there are less desirable parts of it.

saibot · 06-21-2021, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeSF777

Aliso Viejo looks like a great option. I think our top options now: Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Huntington Beach. Any advice on these places?

Huntington Beach has a vibe I don't love. The beach itself is fine, but the residential areas tend to be older and drab. I prefer the hilliness of south OC and the better planning that went into the development of these areas. Between Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, I prefer Aliso because it's more compact and easier to get to shopping, dining etc. without driving forever on winding parkways. And, frankly, I've found the people of AV a little more down to earth.

Gaylord_Focker · 06-23-2021, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saibot

huntington beach has a vibe i don't love. The beach itself is fine, but the residential areas tend to be older and drab. I prefer the hilliness of south oc and the better planning that went into the development of these areas. Between aliso viejo and laguna niguel, i prefer aliso because it's more compact and easier to get to shopping, dining etc. Without driving forever on winding parkways. And, frankly, i've found the people of av a little more down to earth.

+1