We are moving to California (Orange County) and I think I have my heart set on the city of Orange. We are moving from a major city on the east coast so we have mainly been researching areas online. I really like Orange because of the history behind it and and it seems a little less 'burby than most areas we've looked at. We haven't been there in person yet though.
Thoughts? Decent area for a young (well, young-ish 
) family?
DH will be working in Irvine if it matters.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
Orange is big. Good parts and bad parts.
ETA: But what I consider "bad" might not be of any concern to you. Old Town Orange. Serrano Heights is great and you will get a better public school option. If you are doing private schools, then I suppose the neighborhood won't matter. Chapman Hills is one of the best elementary schools in the area and that part of Orange around that school is awesome. I have a strong preference for east of the 55 freeway. Let me know if you have any specific questions!
honeydew / 7586 posts
@agold: What constitutes a "bad" part? Coming from Baltimore, I feel like my version of a bad area and the OC version of a bad area might be quite different. I'm not meaning that in a flip way, I'm honestly curious.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@Ra: Ha! I just edited my original response. And you are probably right that we have a different sense for what is bad. There are gangs dispersed throughout Orange County, and more heavily in some areas than others. I'm very sensitive to that. There will be low performance schools in some areas, which may be a concern if you want to use the public schools.
honeydew / 7586 posts
@agold: Thank you so much for info! We will be renting to start and our son is 2 so schools are not an immediate concern. But a good school district is a plus in case we decide to stay in that rental. As of now, our plan is to move back east in 5 years or less so we don't plan on buying.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@Ra: If you need any specifics, please ask. I'm extremely familiar with Orange and Irvine. And what a fun moving adventure for a handful of years! I have a family member that works for the school district so I can always get details for you.
honeydew / 7586 posts
@agold: Thank you! The move won't be until June but I might reach out when we are closer to picking a rental. 
coffee bean / 25 posts
Old town Orange is very cute. however, there are some really nice places to live nearby. Check out homes in the Foothill High or Beckman High school district. I think you'd also be happy in Irvine too. It seems like your trying to recreate a more city/walk everywhere lifestyle and honestly your just not going to get that in OC. Better to pick a nice place in a good school district. Or maybe this is your chance to live by the beach for a few years while rent and try to decide where to make your forever home? Eta - just read that you're planning to move back east in 5 years. That said, if I were you I would totally take the opportunity to live by the beach while you can! Rent in Newport or Huntington. Wouldn't be a bad commute for hubs
honeydew / 7586 posts
@Raz: Irvine is pretty much my worst nightmare. I like cute and quirky and the idea of master planned community gives me hives.
We've thought about Huntington but the rent is a solid $600 more a month than Orange. I'd rather hoard the extra money so we can move back east faster!
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@Ra: Based on what you are saying, it seems like you won't like a master planned community. [EDITED - oh wait, you did say exactly that. Doh!] You really should look at the "Old Town Orange" area around Chapman University. There is a main street with great restaurants and bars. It used to be a lot of antique shops, but now there's boutiques and whatnot. Its really fun. Since you boy is so little, you don't need to worry about the school district right now. And I can't imagine that you will hate Orange County so much. The weather is so perfect! 
honeydew / 7586 posts
@agold: I am looking forward to the weather. And Disney. And the close proximity to beaches. There is definitely a lot to be excited about. It will definitely be a lifestyle change though! I've always lived in the city.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@Ra: Hooray! I'm glad you are looking forward to some things. If you aren't totally set on Orange, look at Anaheim Hills - its a loosely planned community that is part of Anaheim and borders Orange. It has great parks, is diverse and family oriented. It has good side street and toll road access to Irvine.
blogger / apricot / 349 posts
I used to live in Anaheim Hills growing up and it's a great place for families. It's still 'burby but not as planned as Irvine. I have a lot of mom friends that live there right now and we always have play dates at parks near by or even in Placentia. Have you looked at Brea? But the commute to Irvine might not be that great from Anaheim Hills or Brea to Irvine because the freeways that are near there are always bad during rush hour. As others have said, Old Town Orange- near the Orange Circle is really cute with older homes with a porch! and that area has antique shops, boutiques, and tons of restaurants.
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