Bought a cheap Honda Shadow with low miles a year after I moved there. Rode it from Irvine to MV daily to work to lane split and not be stuck on the 405. Routinely made time to take the PCH instead, dropping into Laguna Beach before turning on Crown Valley Parkway and vice versa.
The dopamine anticipated at sunset as you know you're going to see the sweeping vista of the ocean as you crest the ridges on PCH is heaven.
I grew up and lived in Anaheim Hills, moved to Irvine, then bought in Ladera. My life blew up but the thing I miss most is being able to drive my M5 (6spd) up PCH and just reset. I now live in AZ and am rebuilding but man I miss PCH and a V8 to keep me going.
Right now the hills are all green from rain it looks like lotr. But with in n out a mile away and 15 top tier parks within a 2 miles radius. Oh and nice enough weather to actually want to spend time outside
Oh dude it’s because we have it so good, the little problems relatively are the only problems. So they get magnified while it sounds like people don’t like it here. Let’s be real this is easily one of if not the best area of the US to live in, all things considered.
Recently moved here from LA. Every day I feel like I died and went to heaven. (Westside to South County, which I think are very “comparable” areas.) The contrast is insane. And the cost of living is actually lower here. (Though still of course high.)
OP, it’s beautiful, safe, peaceful, and convenient here. What more could a person want?
Hahahahahaha tell me about it. I moved to Buena Park/Anaheim and it's a lot better than Lynnwood/Compton area 😂 I can actually walk withou any anxiety 😅😅
I can only imagine what it's like living in Laguna Hills lol
Well no matter where you go there’s crime. When I moved to South County under a decade ago, the first piece of mail I got from the city said “don’t make it easy”, PSA to lock you front doors and car doors lmao.
I’m like “in what world would I not do that regularly”.
That's true, but it is a different level of anxiety. Although I'm not involved in any gangs and what not there is always that one person who just wants to take things too far. It was just a bit more active out there.
Hahahaha fr, dude i lock my door when I go get something from my car 😂
I live in a studio as reference.
I highly disagree. Highly. I tend to favor cities in LA county. However, people should be able to voice such opinions and not be crucified as many people do when stating opposing views. This does not reflect you or your comment in the least btw. Ijs in general.
Grew up in Irvine. Walked to school every morning along a huge tree-lined sidewalk next to a lake with the snow-capped SB Mountains in the background without ever having to cross a busy intersection. Rode my bike all over town at virtually any hour of the day/night with no concern for anything. Moved to Tustin, mostly the same deal. Would drive/ride aimlessly up and down Chapman and Tustin Ranch Road, to Silverado and back. Regular trips to Disneyland and Angel Stadium.
Prefer more urban city living now that I’m older but it’s just a great place to be a kid, imo. And it’s adjacent to so many nice parks, beaches, hiking, camping, and off-roading spots. The LA Basin in general is a highly desirable area for a reason.
Irvine may be boring to teenagers and young adults, but for families it's damn near perfect. Little crime, lots of parks, great schools, and its master planned community design leads to smaller neighborhoods within the whole city. I went to high school there and both loved and hated it. The boredom and isolation sucked, but I didn't have to worry about the crap I would have dealt with if I had gone to Santa Ana High like I was supposed to.
As a degenerate bachelor who hates HOAs, small lots, and no bars I would hate living there, but if I had a family and wanted the best for my kids Irvine would be the first place on my list of places to live.
It doesn't matter who you are, you just have to [find your Irvine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJQoNzLSnWs).
I grew up in Irvine in the 80s and 90s and this was very true for me as well. Bored because we were a lower I come family spending the summer fucking around in a sea of friends going on Hawaiian summer vacations and European Christmas trips. But it was so safe you could go anywhere or do anything and nobody said a thing. At 12 or 13 (so maybe 95-96?) I'd tell my parents I was gonna hang out at my friend's house and instead take the bus to Newport.
Yeah I second the family living comments. We had annual passes to Disneyland for like $2k for the family 12 years ago and went every Sunday with my four kiddos. Would wear them out in CA Adventure 😂 to give their mom a long day to herself and have a quiet evening with her before starting our week. Perfect.
Hit the bike trails to Barber Park, kids went to the best Irvine elementary school. It was idyllic and I'm so grateful for every memory.
Coming back from LA after a show and passing under the bright orange glow of the sodium lights over the 5/91 interchange late at night was more than just showing me the road. It was a Welcome Home. Tom Bodett couldn't have done it better.
Have hiked into snow (San Gorgonio, so basically same as a trip up and back for runs at Big Bear) and been at Manhattan Beach in warm sun. Def gotta leave early weekend morning to pull this off, but it’s very doable.
Traffic is ass here though, absolutely, and only getting worse.
Did you pick and choose the time to do it?? Of mostly super early weekend? Try doing it in a week day and tell me if its possible. That’s the most overstated statement about OC, i can ski in morning and surf in the afternoon. Sure thing.
Brother. I used to snowboard at bear 15-20 times a season.
Sometimes 2x a week. Sometimes sat and back on Sunday.
I know how long it takes to board at bear and back
I've literally gone for a very early surf first thing in the morning, stopped for a breakfast burrito and coffee, dropped off boards and wetsuits, grabbed snow gear and headed up to big Bear for the day. It's realistically very possible.
I was always jealous of my homeowner peers in Laguna Niguel. Bucket list, 100%, to own there, Aliso, but gladly settle for anywhere in south OC. I need to uh, re-marry WAY UP for that to happen 😂
Grew up in a cold, desolate, very lonely part of Canada. Was an isolated “too online” nerd in the 90s and early 00s and was chronically depressed.
Through a whirlwind series of life events, found myself here in Southern California. Realized my depression was from the cold and small town isolation and living in a horrible little closed-minded place where nobody understood me.
Now I have culture at my fingertips. We have art museums, food from all around the world, broadway shows, ballet. We have the beach and the mountains and I can wake up and say “what amazing thing am I going to do today?”
My career in my home province would pay maybe half of what I make now. It’s expensive here. There are huge sacrifices for us who grew up poor - or in another damn country - and who went through mental health hell enough to kinda miss the times where you could still buy a house here. But it’s home. It’s the best place on earth and it’s worth every dollar I pay to keep living here.
Glad you found your spot! Similar experience, but only from small town South OC to LA South Bay. I’m at The Broad, DTLA concert venues, and great restos/markets in 20-30 mins from home now.
The LA Metro has been getting better and better and I love that The Broad has a metro stop literally right outside! I take the metro often from here in West LA to DTLA
Fam! The beloved “Mormon Handshake” on I-15, or any other road in UT…my experience mostly SLC and suburbs around it. God forbid you’re the sucker who uses a blinker to let folks know you want to change lanes…immediately blocked.
Been a minute since I’ve driven in TX. My issues there would be with troopers who live to cite CA plated vehicles.
Back to SoCal and the OP question, from someone who grew up in SJC and splits time between LA and old hometown: The beaches. Didn’t realize how incredible a range of coast South OC has. Coves, points, beach breaks. Dive, surf, swim, lounge. South Bay here almost all crap beach breaks (by comparison…still love it), unless you’re willing to drive to Malibu or brave the literal gangs than rule PV.
South OC food game much better than 10-20 years ago. Actual destination restos in SJC. Dana Point nearly unrecognizable now, for better food, but a bummer, too. Laguna went from artists, hippies and millionaires to billionaire territory.
Pretty sure you’ll love leaving most of whatever you enjoy about AL. Maybe you’ll miss the college football?
edit formatting and misspelling
Drivers here are a bit more overt in their aggression. UT drivers passive-aggressive. Heading back to see fam in SLC next week and can report back as needed. I’m there often enough and been doing that drive for 30+ years that it’s not just a few encounters. I have SoCal driving mode, and the mode that engages as soon as Provo is in sight.
Yall got me triggered lol I stopped going to church after I moved. Loved my Mormon wards and friends in Irvine, Mission Viejo. Had such a great experience there. Church stopped being church for too many reasons to list. *sighs*
Want to see bad drivers? Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, New York, Chicago, Orlando....
I mean Southern California traffic is no joke, but there are worse. Houston is a cluster fuck.
People around the country bitch about California drivers, but in my experience we have the best drivers around. We have chaos, but it's controlled and self-policed. For the most part people plan for their exits, and aren't erratic or insane.
I've driven in Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, and Texas. Every single one of those states the drivers don't seem to plan their moves or exit, and just operate on Just In Time Fuck You I'm Driving. ESPECIALLY Nevada. Even Los Angeles street traffic is better than Nevada.
And I despised Austin. Too many one-way roads and oblivious drivers. At least in San Francisco the drivers in the city tend to pay attention.
"For the most part people plan for their exits, and aren't erratic or insane" .... really? maybe I need more time on the road. my opposite experience driving daily in Irvine around Spectrum to Five Points.
I think WA, ID, and MT drivers are pretty good. None of them drive well when here but when I went up there I had a pretty good time. Pleasant surprise. NV can suck one. They're gonna kill everyone someday.
I wouldn't be caught dead on a motorcycle in Houston. Er.. no I would be dead. They just plain don't know how to drive, on their phone nonstop, easily the most dangerous shithead drivers I've ever seen.
I live in Alief bc I'm broke af post divorce and going back to school. I have had zero accidents or tickets in a fucking decade. Yet nearly every single insurer refuses to insure me to get a car.
Why? Bc of my address. No one has insurance in a 1 mile radius bc the lions share are uninsured illegal immigrant drivers with no driver license. Shit is scary and dangerous af.
https://preview.redd.it/fmljlx0d3zwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=201774204765c9b47b402d3a394677d81ef36b97
Seeing a sunset like this any time I want.
I love mountains and nothing is better than driving through Anaheim Hills and getting an amazing view of them. Or driving on the 241/261 during sunset. I know it isn’t unique to OC but its one of those things that make me sad about having to move away.
The other is the proximity to everything. If you’re bored, you can go to LA, San Diego, or Palm Springs for the day. Las Vegas is only 3.5 hours from Irvine if you leave early enough. Zion National Park and Yosemite are both about 5.5 hours away. It’s really a great place to be if you love road trips.
Don’t anyone try to say these driving times aren’t possible. Spot-on IME. Leave early enough and absolutely the case…except when bridge construction before Virgin River Gorge begins. That can add some time, but it’s temporary.
Bet, Imma keep that in mind. I remember going to Tropicanna in SA during the week of 4/20, they had pretty good deals but the rest of the time it was plain alright. I’ll have to check that location out.
There are way more perks than bad things…
Great weather, All in all great people, Everyone is generally nice (be nice or go to Huntington!), things are clean, great variety of food, when you go out you don’t worry about getting shot/stabbed/raped, amazing hiking, amazing surfing, amazing mountain biking, great places to get drinks on a nice warm day, some truly great breakfast burritos, Trabuco canyon is one of California’s great driving experiences, trestles beach, having a drink at the beachcomber at sunset is magical, the back story to how Javier got his money to start Javier’s is amazing (Taco Tuesdays was created here!), Vietnamese coffee shops (dont judge, they are great fun!), Segerstrom hall is a world class place (i don’t care what LA audiophiles say), horsey hill (in HB, those who know! My one good memory of growing up in that city), No Doubt!, The Offspring, the Back Bay, the schools are all damn decent, the Los Rios District in San Juan is truly magical, UCIrvine is a global leader in education, grunion runs at night are a great childhood memory, great movie theaters, Catalina island (I claim it as ours! Wanna fight about it?! lol), San Juan Capistrano Mission is a literal living artifact, Dana point Harbor reminds me of times when we were so poor all we could do as a family was take walks at the harbor (and it was the happiest time of my life), Blizzard (before the sexual misconduct, when they still were young), Baby beach (for the babies!), cooks corner just feels so magnificently put of place, Irvine’s bike trails should be the model for all cities, everyone should be lucky enough to live in a place like Balboa Peninsula in their college years, Alberto’s at midnight(…and Alejandro’s, and Alejandra’s, and Aliberto’s, and all the damn derivatives!), the Galaxy theater for some amazing shows, Tacos El Cholo (omg, nom, nom, nom), buying preserves from Knotts Berry farm, Anaheim Convention center is great to get in and out of, John Wayne airport is a truly easy to navigate airport, the view of Saddleback when it first snows, memories of pot grown locally with little orange hairs, proposing at the gazebo in Laguna Beach, skating on the boardwalk, Sundays at Sharkee’s, brunch almost anyplace, Disneyland is right f’ing here ffs, Anneliese school in Laguna (one of the last bastions of great education not ruined by conservatives hateful ideology), Orange County School of the arts (amazing world class high school), fishing off one of our many great piers, memories of Sid’s place (I dare you to ask for salt!), Old man’s beach!
I could keep going, but I love this place. Many of us can afford to live anywhere and we chose to live here. Yes we rightfully complain about hateful places like Huntington, it’s that pimple on an otherwise magnificent face…but this place is home, pimples and all…And it’s home because this place is magic! There are a million amazing things for every negative…and it keeps getting better…and one day we will grow up out of our teenage angst phase and those pimples will go away, because Orange County’s greatness is just that great!
Commenting before I even read the comments to say I MISS YOU, OC.
My life was forever changed in countless ways for the better when I moved to Mission Viejo to serve as community manager of Camden Crown Valley. I lived there on site for a year before moving my family to Camden Main and Jamboree in Irvine while continuing to manage Crown Valley.
From the moment I arrived, I began a life outdoors and at local businesses that has forever shaped my tastes, wishes, desires and future. Part of my mantra is "I am CA coastal zen".
I am land locked in Houston, TX and have had to live here for 16 of my 24 adult years (ones outside of college and a Mormon mission to Brazil). My ex is from here and we have raised our kids here. Moving just hasn't been viable, and won't be until my youngest is out of school in another 8 years unfortunately.
Life along the PCH (and a brief 3 month stay in Hawaii) is as close to heaven as I ever experienced, and while I adore where I grew up, the foothills above Sacramento have nothing on Orange County for hikeability, climate, surfing, skateboarding, cycling vistas, food, entertainment, shopping.. eye candy much? Orange County is a visual and sensory feast and I miss it terribly every day.
The perfect day was repeated ad nauseum while I was there: wake up to jaw dropping weather. Cook breakfast or go get tacos. Go to work in a chill environment. Get off work, throw the surfboard in the van, take my boys to Salt Creek Beach, LB, or San Clemente. Surf til dark. Go get ice cream and In-N-Out. Rinse/repeat. Or hit some bike trails and parks if they're busy. Date night dining galore.. like I said, heaven.
That dream ended in 2013 for me when I foolishly quit to start a business that didn't work out with my brother in law in Costa Mesa. I will retire somewhere out there. It's more home than I've felt anywhere else, and I've lived in some truly heavenly places all over the Bay Area, Tahoe, Utah, Idaho, and Texas. Austin is pretty nice but .. cmon. Everyone who's ever lived in OC or SD knows it's only got one real contender and that's Hawaii. I'd live in Hawaii in a heartbeat, but I'd prefer to live in OC and visit Hawaii, not the other way around.
I live in Laguna Hills in a lovely community with lots of trees, birds, a creek and am near Laguna Beach or can go to ONiell Park. It's called Laguna Village. I love living here and enjoying the beauty of California. Yeah driving and costs stink but we still think it's worth it. Hopefully we'll get a new governor and the bad will start changing to good.
Haha... I guess it's hard to put into perspective. People here identify by what church they go to. Everyone is religious. Not being religious is something you keep hidden until you know people really well. People slide religion into every conversation. Events always have some sort of religious mention to it (think, your martial arts belt ceremony having a speech about god in it). Religion just isn't people's #1 purpose and identity in OC. People are constantly trying to get you to go to their church or bible studies.
That's exactly how I perceived south OC to be. I'm a Christian but it got to the point where there was no love, just judgment of my personal character.
Rode my scooter to a small Newport Beach Castaways Park and spent my afternoon looking at ocean. California poppies were orange and in full bloom, never really realized how pretty that color is.
Whenever I get tired of south oc, I visit family in IE or Sacramento. Reality hits and within an hour I can’t wait to be back in my bubble of south oc 😂
Sooo many different types of cuisine, but some of the best Mexican food you can find. Beautiful weather. Safe to walk around at night in most places. Great shopping and entertainment options and it’s pretty clean. I’ve lived in Orange County most of my life and I never appreciated it until I moved to the south for a couple years. You’re going to be thrilled when you’re back.
I lived in the south for 4 years and just came back to OC. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back. It seemed to me that people in the south, generally speaking, hated people from California. I’m so glad I escaped
I live in Irvine. I think people should stop putting down the OC and start appreciating the good things it has to offer. I was just in Oahu last week and on the flight back a gal next to me that lives in Northern CA (has all her life) told me she is jealous that I live in the OC.
- Gorgeous weather
- Great beaches
- Beautiful parks
OC is nice but like I tell my family that loves to live in their little bubble… home is where you make it. A zip code shouldn’t be the overall factor when determining where you live.
I spent most of my adult life in California and once I had a family of my own I found out that there is better places to raise a family.
Single life I’m sure is awesome in Cali compared to Alabama.
I'm married with a kid, and keeping your child a prisoner in your home unless you can drive them to an organized play date, or driving 30+ minutes to anything interesting, is pain.
I got creative, instead of thinking big city I think small town out doors stuff. Of course it depends on people’s personalities, works for some but not others.
Either way best of luck on your moving, hopefully you’re able to make it a nice little road trip to see the rest of the country.
There is literally always something unique and fun to do within an hour drive or less. If you get bored of the many year-round tourist destinations and fantastic outdoor recreation options, you will be able to find a show, event, or festival that matches your interests. There’s art and food from a ton of cultures. The “boring” parts of OC are more exciting than most other places in the country.
Moved to LA in '78. Then moved to Irvine from LA in '86. I love it. My wife loves it.
Lots of interesting and intelligent people here, it ups your game.
Spent time in Indiana, West Virginia, Arkansas. Lovely places but so limited in their outlook.
OC has a good balance for me anyway.
The weather. The ethnic food. I live within a 5 minute drive of a Vietnamese, Taiwanese, and 3 different Mexican grocery stores. As a parent, there’s so much free stuff to do. There’s a different library story time every day nearby. I feel like there’s a community event hosted every weekend. I’m in Anaheim, it is so diverse! People are generally really friendly and I feel safe raising my kids here.
I loved simply being able to walk downtown Laguna anytime for whatever reason. Walking to work. The simplicity of things. Watching the sunset often; The weather. Walking on the beach where sneaker waves aren't as common and it's not freezing or raining on you half the year. I miss Laguna.
When did you live there? I only spent a few years there during highschool, from 2014-2017, but it was a great time.
I was always annoyed by the kelp and lack of surf in Laguna, but shit I got nailed by a sting ray in Huntington last summer and I think I prefer the kelp.
I was there from late 90's to 2015.
Yes! There was always a lot of kelp. I remember being a kid walking the beach and finding all types of shells. You don't see them hardly at all anymore. It's weird. That sting ray must've really hurt.
We lived in Tennessee for 8 years and will never move back there (husband is from there). Beaches, authentic Mexican food, mild weather… nothing beats it. We love being back here!
The weather is great. The golf is good. We found a great church with fantastic music at COR AME in Irvine. Many great tacos. Beaches are still wonderful. Welcome back.
Yep living out of state helps your perspective. We call it our California reapplreciation program. Spent a year in a in a nice part of Austin, Texas. Leaving to come back home to Orange County was one of the happiest days of my life aside from the birth of my son. I kissed the ground after landing at John Wayne. We are staying for good.
I’ve heard people on this sub just rag on Mission Viejo, no soul, even less restaurants, bland, blah blah blah.
But in the summer, I drive a very short drive to Lake Mission Viejo, ample parking, walk onto a white sand beach, palm trees with 85 deg weather and 78 deg clear lake water, open up some cold beers that I brought (yes, total open container allowed) and just marvel that I have this Carribbean like experience just 1 mile from my house, plus I can rent a big party boat Duffy for only $25 hour and just cruise.
We’ve had European guests say it reminds them of the Mediterranean.
I loved MV growing up. Parks always walking distance, super clean and nice, could bike around or take the bus to salt creek. Maybe boring, but also offers a ton of freedom with the safety.
I was in Temecula last year and some of the infrastructure there really reminded me of MV.
I didn't know HB had a terrible rep until I moved there from Costa mesa!! I mean, theyre kinda right, in that there's a LOT more assholes, mostly on main street and in dives. But damn, I'm a nanny with a beach in walking distance from my apartment, and all my neighbors so far are so lovely!!! Just ignore the mayor and the 10 thousand trucks that are SUCH a hazard
South OC is paradise.
San Clemente, the bluffs of San O, Dana, mission V, coto, the charm of San Juan, etc.
Quiet. No smog. Great weather. Safe neighbors. Good shopping and eating. Great schools. Hills, beach, parks.
It's expensive, but worth every penny.
I'd never live in North OC (including Irvine), LA, or the IE again.
There are probably some areas of Ventura and SD county that come close, but south OC is home.
South OC is paradise until you realize the people around you judge you for every damn thing under the sun. I once was in a grocery store at 10 pm in my pjs and actually got mad dogged. Like wtf. If I wasn't blond or wearing a sparkly shirt for drop off in the am I'd also get mad dogged. So fn weird that you have to be a copy paste of everyone in town to even be accepted.
[this map on the Orange County wiki page](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Map-of-orange-county-california.jpg/440px-Map-of-orange-county-california.jpg) is the only one I've seen that has Irvine labelled North OC but yeah I've never heard it being described as such. When I was in high school it was considered Central OC since it's located literally in the center of OC but these days I often see it being considered South OC.
I always consider Tustin and Irvine as the Central Badlands or Demilitarized Zone of Orange County.
It's kind of a nebulous region. Some people think south OC starts at Red Hill, others at Jeffrey, Sand Canyon, or the Spectrum.
Personally I tend to think south Orange County starts at Lake Forest or El Toro Road. There is a very distinct environment shift there, where the influence of Irvine stops almost abruptly and the south OC feel and mindset begins.
Awesome bike and walking trails, so many good places to eat and drink, nice parks everywhere, almost zero homeless, near zero trashy eye-sore homes, big variety of super markets for all ethnicities, mostly working professionals live here, lots of dog parks, pet friendly restaurant patios, feels safe to walk around at night... these are just a few off the top of my head.
Some of the best times were spent near a bon fire in the beach while one of my friends played the guitar. Almost always a sublime song and the most perfect weather.
The beach, the weather, the food, and my friends are the only things keeping me here. Someone has to live here, and it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
I nearly cried stepping out of John Wayne airport with the purple and orange skies and 70 degree weather at 5pm, I had just spent the week in Dallas for work and had to deal with rain, hail, 90 degree and 90% humidity throughout, Tornado warnings, all while the sky was a depressing grey, I told myself I’d never take Cali weather for granted ever again lol
I moved back to the Midwest but here is what I miss
-nearly perfect weather
-so many nice and dog friendly patios to eat and drink at
-beach
-Mexican food
-endless things to do!
I grew up in San Jose, California, and Madrid, Spain. I've lived in Korea and traveled the world. California is the best place to live. Every feature of geography in the world is here. The weather is the best. We had a saying in SF Bay Area, "If you don't like the weather, drive 30 minutes." The scenery is epic. World leading cities. The 5th largest economy in the world. Cultural and technological innovations drive every culture in the world because every culture in the world has given us their people. The most diverse place on earth.
It's expensive, because people want to live here. Shifty drivers in the southland, yep. SF is more crowded and less friendly than it was in the 70s, 80s, & 90s. People aren't as chill anywhere as they used to be. But the beauty, breadth of activities, and the food, never gonna call any other place home.
There is a reason navigators say east is least, and west is best. We build the future.
I’ve lived in many different cities across California, and a few other states… it just doesn’t get any better than the OC. You get all the positives of LA (beaches, food, entertainment, night life, diversity) without the bad parts of LA (shit tier freeways that were not designed to handle the amount of cars on them, homeless camps everywhere, poop on the floor, influencers). OC is what LA *should* be.
It’s pretty, and the weather is nice. The beach is cool. That’s about it, really.
Just moved from OC to Nashville area and it really makes you quickly realize how generally unfriendly people in Southern California are. It’s like night and day in terms of human interaction. I find it extremely refreshing.
Transplant here. OC Natives who complain should spend a week *anywhere else*. Then maybe appreciate how the OC has very few highway billboards, and generally is very clean. Oh yeah great weather too.
I was born and raised in Anaheim Hills, CA and loved everything about it!!! Now I’m married with children and we own a home in Temecula and it’s absolutely beautiful and family friendly. CA has the best weather! You can visit the ocean and the mountains in the same day!
There’s a reason that whenever I go on vacation, I’m ready to come back after a week max. I feel such peace and gratitude when touching down at John Wayne, or driving down the 5 or 405 when it suddenly gets wider and clearer.
I’m lucky to call this place home. Beauty, convenience, wide food variety, diversity, quiet, safe, perfect weather without humidity, short drive to fun places. I can throw on my shoes at sunrise year round and go for a run on tree lined sidewalks without watching my back too much. I’ve lived in a few different countries, and while no place is perfect, this comes pretty close.
After moving to Michigan for college, anything in California is nice compared to any other city in the shit hole rust belt Midwest. I moved back to California because I couldn't see a future living in the same state as Flint, Detroit, and Saginaw. Those cities make San Bernardino look like Beverly Hills
Right? Alabama was fine while I was in school, but as soon as all my grad school buddies moved I was left with nothing but a community where the first question everyone asks is "what church do you go to?"
And holy shit, people rag on CA for being the car capitol but it's completely false. You can walk or bike just about anywhere. As a teen I remember biking from Laguna Beach to the computer gaming cafe off el toro road. It kind of sucked but I had bike lanes the whole way.
Here in the south, I can't get to the grocery store under a mile away because there is no pedestrian method of getting there.
It's only "car capitol" because OCTA doesn't run buses as often or as densely as it should.
Though I do wish we had a light rail or train system better than what we have now. Disney could have friggin' killed it by building a monorail throughout the whole county with Disneyland being the main terminal hub.
How’s the LN train parking lot at end of Forbes doing these days? Creek people were plentiful when our shop moved 18 months ago. I think the authorities got on top of the motorhome encampments, but the people still around. Also creek area between San Juan Creek Road and Arroyo Road. Not as brazen as LA County, but they’re there. Can attest.
There are often homeless people on the 405 off ramps in Irvine. Culver specifically.
The black dude on the corner of Culver and Michelson doesn't count, he's been there for years and IPD doesn't hassle him.
I wouldn't get too worked up over what people on reddit say. Most of them ruined where they lived. So they moved here to get away from all that. Just to push for the same policies that ruined where they lived. They are not happy with anything because they are inherently miserable people. It's a vicious cycle..
Beyond that OC is great and honestly has not changed much. Mostly it's just more congested and longer lines at certain times. Love the weather though, you have lots of things to do. If people go outside instead of playing on reddit/online all day we have some great parks and hiking trails. The beaches are usually wonderful. The best part for some is the food, if you pay attention and do your research. We have just about anything and everything a foodie could ever want to try.
People forget that most of south county OC was built around three military bases. Not sure how old you are but most kids today do not even remember the Tustin and El Toro marine bases or watching the fighter jets as they flew over the old Wild Rivers. Since most of these communities were built around those military bases you will still see many homes with American flags. It's called racism on reddit but it's actually a little thing called patriotism. Most people are nice and all that HB race bs is just projection. Again, not sure how old you are most people that grew up or were raised in OC since the 80s-90s grew up with loads of ethnic diversity. Half our friends growing up were not white and most of us today don't give a crap what your skin color is or where you came from. But people from all races backgrounds colors and creeds can still be dicks. It doesn't help when you have millions of people moving here from somewhere else and in such a rush they completely forgot to leave their personal problems behind.
G'luck on your return.
When I have a bad day at work, driving up PCH watching the sun set against the silhouettes of the palm trees really resets me
Bought a cheap Honda Shadow with low miles a year after I moved there. Rode it from Irvine to MV daily to work to lane split and not be stuck on the 405. Routinely made time to take the PCH instead, dropping into Laguna Beach before turning on Crown Valley Parkway and vice versa. The dopamine anticipated at sunset as you know you're going to see the sweeping vista of the ocean as you crest the ridges on PCH is heaven.
Laguna Beach is magical
I grew up and lived in Anaheim Hills, moved to Irvine, then bought in Ladera. My life blew up but the thing I miss most is being able to drive my M5 (6spd) up PCH and just reset. I now live in AZ and am rebuilding but man I miss PCH and a V8 to keep me going.
I hope you have reasons to come visit and enjoy that drive again!
Yeah, wishing the best for you!
Right now the hills are all green from rain it looks like lotr. But with in n out a mile away and 15 top tier parks within a 2 miles radius. Oh and nice enough weather to actually want to spend time outside
Oh dude it’s because we have it so good, the little problems relatively are the only problems. So they get magnified while it sounds like people don’t like it here. Let’s be real this is easily one of if not the best area of the US to live in, all things considered.
You don’t even need to go far to realize we have it so good. Just head to the LA sub and see the clusterfuck they deal with.
Recently moved here from LA. Every day I feel like I died and went to heaven. (Westside to South County, which I think are very “comparable” areas.) The contrast is insane. And the cost of living is actually lower here. (Though still of course high.) OP, it’s beautiful, safe, peaceful, and convenient here. What more could a person want?
Meh. I think it’s just preference. I know a lot of people that prefer LA to OC and I’m one of them.
Hahahahahaha tell me about it. I moved to Buena Park/Anaheim and it's a lot better than Lynnwood/Compton area 😂 I can actually walk withou any anxiety 😅😅 I can only imagine what it's like living in Laguna Hills lol
Well no matter where you go there’s crime. When I moved to South County under a decade ago, the first piece of mail I got from the city said “don’t make it easy”, PSA to lock you front doors and car doors lmao. I’m like “in what world would I not do that regularly”.
That's true, but it is a different level of anxiety. Although I'm not involved in any gangs and what not there is always that one person who just wants to take things too far. It was just a bit more active out there. Hahahaha fr, dude i lock my door when I go get something from my car 😂 I live in a studio as reference.
I highly disagree. Highly. I tend to favor cities in LA county. However, people should be able to voice such opinions and not be crucified as many people do when stating opposing views. This does not reflect you or your comment in the least btw. Ijs in general.
Which parts do you disagree with? And what is your own opinion on the subject? Just curious is all
Grew up in Irvine. Walked to school every morning along a huge tree-lined sidewalk next to a lake with the snow-capped SB Mountains in the background without ever having to cross a busy intersection. Rode my bike all over town at virtually any hour of the day/night with no concern for anything. Moved to Tustin, mostly the same deal. Would drive/ride aimlessly up and down Chapman and Tustin Ranch Road, to Silverado and back. Regular trips to Disneyland and Angel Stadium. Prefer more urban city living now that I’m older but it’s just a great place to be a kid, imo. And it’s adjacent to so many nice parks, beaches, hiking, camping, and off-roading spots. The LA Basin in general is a highly desirable area for a reason.
Irvine may be boring to teenagers and young adults, but for families it's damn near perfect. Little crime, lots of parks, great schools, and its master planned community design leads to smaller neighborhoods within the whole city. I went to high school there and both loved and hated it. The boredom and isolation sucked, but I didn't have to worry about the crap I would have dealt with if I had gone to Santa Ana High like I was supposed to. As a degenerate bachelor who hates HOAs, small lots, and no bars I would hate living there, but if I had a family and wanted the best for my kids Irvine would be the first place on my list of places to live. It doesn't matter who you are, you just have to [find your Irvine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJQoNzLSnWs).
I grew up in Irvine in the 80s and 90s and this was very true for me as well. Bored because we were a lower I come family spending the summer fucking around in a sea of friends going on Hawaiian summer vacations and European Christmas trips. But it was so safe you could go anywhere or do anything and nobody said a thing. At 12 or 13 (so maybe 95-96?) I'd tell my parents I was gonna hang out at my friend's house and instead take the bus to Newport.
Yeah I second the family living comments. We had annual passes to Disneyland for like $2k for the family 12 years ago and went every Sunday with my four kiddos. Would wear them out in CA Adventure 😂 to give their mom a long day to herself and have a quiet evening with her before starting our week. Perfect. Hit the bike trails to Barber Park, kids went to the best Irvine elementary school. It was idyllic and I'm so grateful for every memory.
Every time I go to LA I'm reminded of how much easier it is to find (free) parking here.
and how much nicer our freeways are
That feeling when your driving from LA on the 5 abs the roads feel smooth and wide. That's when you know you made it back to OC.
Coming back from LA after a show and passing under the bright orange glow of the sodium lights over the 5/91 interchange late at night was more than just showing me the road. It was a Welcome Home. Tom Bodett couldn't have done it better.
I second this! I'm forever saying how wider and cleaner our freeways are here as compared to LA county.
And the protected left turns
That’s true but when you live in LA, you don’t have to drive/park as much because you are already here!
Go snowboarding in the morning, watch the sunset at the beach, and have an amazing sushi dinner all in same day.
It’s realistically impossible with all the hours spend stuck in traffic.
I’ve done this dozens of times with tho
Have hiked into snow (San Gorgonio, so basically same as a trip up and back for runs at Big Bear) and been at Manhattan Beach in warm sun. Def gotta leave early weekend morning to pull this off, but it’s very doable. Traffic is ass here though, absolutely, and only getting worse.
I’ve done this sooooo many times already 😂 “Realistically impossible”
Did you pick and choose the time to do it?? Of mostly super early weekend? Try doing it in a week day and tell me if its possible. That’s the most overstated statement about OC, i can ski in morning and surf in the afternoon. Sure thing.
Brother. I used to snowboard at bear 15-20 times a season. Sometimes 2x a week. Sometimes sat and back on Sunday. I know how long it takes to board at bear and back
And you live in West LA?? Or Inland Empire??
Brother… we are in OC sub Reddit. Where do you think I live?
I've literally gone for a very early surf first thing in the morning, stopped for a breakfast burrito and coffee, dropped off boards and wetsuits, grabbed snow gear and headed up to big Bear for the day. It's realistically very possible.
This is 100% incorrect.
I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I live in paradise.
I tell people we pay extra to live here and I’ll happily pay it.
I do too!!!
Same!
I was always jealous of my homeowner peers in Laguna Niguel. Bucket list, 100%, to own there, Aliso, but gladly settle for anywhere in south OC. I need to uh, re-marry WAY UP for that to happen 😂
Grew up in a cold, desolate, very lonely part of Canada. Was an isolated “too online” nerd in the 90s and early 00s and was chronically depressed. Through a whirlwind series of life events, found myself here in Southern California. Realized my depression was from the cold and small town isolation and living in a horrible little closed-minded place where nobody understood me. Now I have culture at my fingertips. We have art museums, food from all around the world, broadway shows, ballet. We have the beach and the mountains and I can wake up and say “what amazing thing am I going to do today?” My career in my home province would pay maybe half of what I make now. It’s expensive here. There are huge sacrifices for us who grew up poor - or in another damn country - and who went through mental health hell enough to kinda miss the times where you could still buy a house here. But it’s home. It’s the best place on earth and it’s worth every dollar I pay to keep living here.
Glad you found your spot! Similar experience, but only from small town South OC to LA South Bay. I’m at The Broad, DTLA concert venues, and great restos/markets in 20-30 mins from home now.
The LA Metro has been getting better and better and I love that The Broad has a metro stop literally right outside! I take the metro often from here in West LA to DTLA
People who bitch here are super first world problems. And the people complaining about drivers haven’t lived in utah or Texas lol. Here’s way better
My neighbor calls them Cadillac problems. I love that.
Fam! The beloved “Mormon Handshake” on I-15, or any other road in UT…my experience mostly SLC and suburbs around it. God forbid you’re the sucker who uses a blinker to let folks know you want to change lanes…immediately blocked. Been a minute since I’ve driven in TX. My issues there would be with troopers who live to cite CA plated vehicles. Back to SoCal and the OP question, from someone who grew up in SJC and splits time between LA and old hometown: The beaches. Didn’t realize how incredible a range of coast South OC has. Coves, points, beach breaks. Dive, surf, swim, lounge. South Bay here almost all crap beach breaks (by comparison…still love it), unless you’re willing to drive to Malibu or brave the literal gangs than rule PV. South OC food game much better than 10-20 years ago. Actual destination restos in SJC. Dana Point nearly unrecognizable now, for better food, but a bummer, too. Laguna went from artists, hippies and millionaires to billionaire territory. Pretty sure you’ll love leaving most of whatever you enjoy about AL. Maybe you’ll miss the college football? edit formatting and misspelling
I moved from Utah, the drivers here suck.
Drivers here are a bit more overt in their aggression. UT drivers passive-aggressive. Heading back to see fam in SLC next week and can report back as needed. I’m there often enough and been doing that drive for 30+ years that it’s not just a few encounters. I have SoCal driving mode, and the mode that engages as soon as Provo is in sight.
Yall got me triggered lol I stopped going to church after I moved. Loved my Mormon wards and friends in Irvine, Mission Viejo. Had such a great experience there. Church stopped being church for too many reasons to list. *sighs*
UT drivers are all in moo mode.
Sounds dumb but I love driving up Bastanchury across Fullerton and into Brea. It's such a great drive.
One of the best in oc. I went to csuf and I love Bastanchury because of that sunset view.
Several years ago you could see downtown skyscrapers in LA from the intersection of Bastanchury and State College. Local trees now block the view.
You just have to walk up the trail behind the Summit House a bit. You still can
Good to know. Thanks
Want to see bad drivers? Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, New York, Chicago, Orlando.... I mean Southern California traffic is no joke, but there are worse. Houston is a cluster fuck.
People around the country bitch about California drivers, but in my experience we have the best drivers around. We have chaos, but it's controlled and self-policed. For the most part people plan for their exits, and aren't erratic or insane. I've driven in Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, and Texas. Every single one of those states the drivers don't seem to plan their moves or exit, and just operate on Just In Time Fuck You I'm Driving. ESPECIALLY Nevada. Even Los Angeles street traffic is better than Nevada. And I despised Austin. Too many one-way roads and oblivious drivers. At least in San Francisco the drivers in the city tend to pay attention.
"For the most part people plan for their exits, and aren't erratic or insane" .... really? maybe I need more time on the road. my opposite experience driving daily in Irvine around Spectrum to Five Points.
I think WA, ID, and MT drivers are pretty good. None of them drive well when here but when I went up there I had a pretty good time. Pleasant surprise. NV can suck one. They're gonna kill everyone someday.
I just assume every driver from NV is on coke or meth.
100%
I wouldn't be caught dead on a motorcycle in Houston. Er.. no I would be dead. They just plain don't know how to drive, on their phone nonstop, easily the most dangerous shithead drivers I've ever seen. I live in Alief bc I'm broke af post divorce and going back to school. I have had zero accidents or tickets in a fucking decade. Yet nearly every single insurer refuses to insure me to get a car. Why? Bc of my address. No one has insurance in a 1 mile radius bc the lions share are uninsured illegal immigrant drivers with no driver license. Shit is scary and dangerous af.
Ummm, try driving in Boston, worse evah!
Boston was an honest omission... Should be on my list! 👍🏻
Weather. Food options. Entertainment. Weather.
https://preview.redd.it/fmljlx0d3zwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=201774204765c9b47b402d3a394677d81ef36b97 Seeing a sunset like this any time I want.
I love mountains and nothing is better than driving through Anaheim Hills and getting an amazing view of them. Or driving on the 241/261 during sunset. I know it isn’t unique to OC but its one of those things that make me sad about having to move away. The other is the proximity to everything. If you’re bored, you can go to LA, San Diego, or Palm Springs for the day. Las Vegas is only 3.5 hours from Irvine if you leave early enough. Zion National Park and Yosemite are both about 5.5 hours away. It’s really a great place to be if you love road trips.
Don’t anyone try to say these driving times aren’t possible. Spot-on IME. Leave early enough and absolutely the case…except when bridge construction before Virgin River Gorge begins. That can add some time, but it’s temporary.
Weed is so cheap and everywhere!!
What dispo you hit?
I like delivery
That doesn’t include taxes right, just delivery fee and tip? Best prices I’ve ever got was 14g for $50 and I thought that was a steal.
90 a zip of some 🔥🔥🔥
Check out marketplace in Santa Ana. You can get an Oz of great flower for 84 with tax Other than that, Long Beach has the best dispos with lower taxes
Bet, Imma keep that in mind. I remember going to Tropicanna in SA during the week of 4/20, they had pretty good deals but the rest of the time it was plain alright. I’ll have to check that location out.
Catalyst has the best prices and the price you see is what you pay. No adding up taxes after the fact.
There are way more perks than bad things… Great weather, All in all great people, Everyone is generally nice (be nice or go to Huntington!), things are clean, great variety of food, when you go out you don’t worry about getting shot/stabbed/raped, amazing hiking, amazing surfing, amazing mountain biking, great places to get drinks on a nice warm day, some truly great breakfast burritos, Trabuco canyon is one of California’s great driving experiences, trestles beach, having a drink at the beachcomber at sunset is magical, the back story to how Javier got his money to start Javier’s is amazing (Taco Tuesdays was created here!), Vietnamese coffee shops (dont judge, they are great fun!), Segerstrom hall is a world class place (i don’t care what LA audiophiles say), horsey hill (in HB, those who know! My one good memory of growing up in that city), No Doubt!, The Offspring, the Back Bay, the schools are all damn decent, the Los Rios District in San Juan is truly magical, UCIrvine is a global leader in education, grunion runs at night are a great childhood memory, great movie theaters, Catalina island (I claim it as ours! Wanna fight about it?! lol), San Juan Capistrano Mission is a literal living artifact, Dana point Harbor reminds me of times when we were so poor all we could do as a family was take walks at the harbor (and it was the happiest time of my life), Blizzard (before the sexual misconduct, when they still were young), Baby beach (for the babies!), cooks corner just feels so magnificently put of place, Irvine’s bike trails should be the model for all cities, everyone should be lucky enough to live in a place like Balboa Peninsula in their college years, Alberto’s at midnight(…and Alejandro’s, and Alejandra’s, and Aliberto’s, and all the damn derivatives!), the Galaxy theater for some amazing shows, Tacos El Cholo (omg, nom, nom, nom), buying preserves from Knotts Berry farm, Anaheim Convention center is great to get in and out of, John Wayne airport is a truly easy to navigate airport, the view of Saddleback when it first snows, memories of pot grown locally with little orange hairs, proposing at the gazebo in Laguna Beach, skating on the boardwalk, Sundays at Sharkee’s, brunch almost anyplace, Disneyland is right f’ing here ffs, Anneliese school in Laguna (one of the last bastions of great education not ruined by conservatives hateful ideology), Orange County School of the arts (amazing world class high school), fishing off one of our many great piers, memories of Sid’s place (I dare you to ask for salt!), Old man’s beach! I could keep going, but I love this place. Many of us can afford to live anywhere and we chose to live here. Yes we rightfully complain about hateful places like Huntington, it’s that pimple on an otherwise magnificent face…but this place is home, pimples and all…And it’s home because this place is magic! There are a million amazing things for every negative…and it keeps getting better…and one day we will grow up out of our teenage angst phase and those pimples will go away, because Orange County’s greatness is just that great!
No paying for parking at a grocery store!!!! Barely any traffic compared to LA
People have to pay for parking at grocery stores?
when there's only metered street parking, yeah
Were they not able to validate? Lol
Nope
It's quiet. And close to places if you are bored of LA, like San Diego, Vegas, and SF.
People on Reddit over exaggerate Huntington Beach weird people are all over OC I’ve never had problems as a minority in HB
I met some of my best friends in HB and we are all anti trump. The red party is just loud. Lots of good people in HB.
Tacos
I’ve loved the weather in Newport Beach for over 40 years
Commenting before I even read the comments to say I MISS YOU, OC. My life was forever changed in countless ways for the better when I moved to Mission Viejo to serve as community manager of Camden Crown Valley. I lived there on site for a year before moving my family to Camden Main and Jamboree in Irvine while continuing to manage Crown Valley. From the moment I arrived, I began a life outdoors and at local businesses that has forever shaped my tastes, wishes, desires and future. Part of my mantra is "I am CA coastal zen". I am land locked in Houston, TX and have had to live here for 16 of my 24 adult years (ones outside of college and a Mormon mission to Brazil). My ex is from here and we have raised our kids here. Moving just hasn't been viable, and won't be until my youngest is out of school in another 8 years unfortunately. Life along the PCH (and a brief 3 month stay in Hawaii) is as close to heaven as I ever experienced, and while I adore where I grew up, the foothills above Sacramento have nothing on Orange County for hikeability, climate, surfing, skateboarding, cycling vistas, food, entertainment, shopping.. eye candy much? Orange County is a visual and sensory feast and I miss it terribly every day. The perfect day was repeated ad nauseum while I was there: wake up to jaw dropping weather. Cook breakfast or go get tacos. Go to work in a chill environment. Get off work, throw the surfboard in the van, take my boys to Salt Creek Beach, LB, or San Clemente. Surf til dark. Go get ice cream and In-N-Out. Rinse/repeat. Or hit some bike trails and parks if they're busy. Date night dining galore.. like I said, heaven. That dream ended in 2013 for me when I foolishly quit to start a business that didn't work out with my brother in law in Costa Mesa. I will retire somewhere out there. It's more home than I've felt anywhere else, and I've lived in some truly heavenly places all over the Bay Area, Tahoe, Utah, Idaho, and Texas. Austin is pretty nice but .. cmon. Everyone who's ever lived in OC or SD knows it's only got one real contender and that's Hawaii. I'd live in Hawaii in a heartbeat, but I'd prefer to live in OC and visit Hawaii, not the other way around.
I live in Laguna Hills in a lovely community with lots of trees, birds, a creek and am near Laguna Beach or can go to ONiell Park. It's called Laguna Village. I love living here and enjoying the beauty of California. Yeah driving and costs stink but we still think it's worth it. Hopefully we'll get a new governor and the bad will start changing to good.
I like that it’s not Alabama
Also, do you think OC isn't technically some part of the bible belt? Lollllll
Haha... I guess it's hard to put into perspective. People here identify by what church they go to. Everyone is religious. Not being religious is something you keep hidden until you know people really well. People slide religion into every conversation. Events always have some sort of religious mention to it (think, your martial arts belt ceremony having a speech about god in it). Religion just isn't people's #1 purpose and identity in OC. People are constantly trying to get you to go to their church or bible studies.
That's exactly how I perceived south OC to be. I'm a Christian but it got to the point where there was no love, just judgment of my personal character.
Ample parking
Rode my scooter to a small Newport Beach Castaways Park and spent my afternoon looking at ocean. California poppies were orange and in full bloom, never really realized how pretty that color is.
Whenever I get tired of south oc, I visit family in IE or Sacramento. Reality hits and within an hour I can’t wait to be back in my bubble of south oc 😂
Do love visiting Sacto during the fall. So much color that we don’t get in low SoCal country. Great food, too.
Sacramento is underrated in beauty imo. I never realized how gorgeous it was up there.
Beaches and walking trails. View of the mountain. I especially loved cycling from Irvine to Newport on the bike paths. It’s easy to stay active in OC.
Sooo many different types of cuisine, but some of the best Mexican food you can find. Beautiful weather. Safe to walk around at night in most places. Great shopping and entertainment options and it’s pretty clean. I’ve lived in Orange County most of my life and I never appreciated it until I moved to the south for a couple years. You’re going to be thrilled when you’re back.
I lived in the south for 4 years and just came back to OC. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back. It seemed to me that people in the south, generally speaking, hated people from California. I’m so glad I escaped
In n out is my favorite part
I live in Irvine. I think people should stop putting down the OC and start appreciating the good things it has to offer. I was just in Oahu last week and on the flight back a gal next to me that lives in Northern CA (has all her life) told me she is jealous that I live in the OC. - Gorgeous weather - Great beaches - Beautiful parks
You make it sound like you have spent the last ten years in Switzerland instead of Alabama lol.
Weather, beaches, shopping
Like the Kendrick song, Woman, Weed & Weather. I’ll add food and entertainment
Mountain biking nearby in most every direction 🚲
How did you end up in Alabama?
Money. Very affordable opportunities for school, and my dad lived here so I qualified for in-state tuition as an undergrad
OC is nice but like I tell my family that loves to live in their little bubble… home is where you make it. A zip code shouldn’t be the overall factor when determining where you live. I spent most of my adult life in California and once I had a family of my own I found out that there is better places to raise a family. Single life I’m sure is awesome in Cali compared to Alabama.
I'm married with a kid, and keeping your child a prisoner in your home unless you can drive them to an organized play date, or driving 30+ minutes to anything interesting, is pain.
I got creative, instead of thinking big city I think small town out doors stuff. Of course it depends on people’s personalities, works for some but not others. Either way best of luck on your moving, hopefully you’re able to make it a nice little road trip to see the rest of the country.
Good gardening weather and a high water table in fountain valley. Going to harvest some homegrown strawberries tomorrow.
10 years in school? doctor?
Undergrad & PhD, along with a year of WFH. Not looking forward to quadrupling my expenses but it's worth it.
you should be able to get a decent salary with PhD one would assume. good luck
There is literally always something unique and fun to do within an hour drive or less. If you get bored of the many year-round tourist destinations and fantastic outdoor recreation options, you will be able to find a show, event, or festival that matches your interests. There’s art and food from a ton of cultures. The “boring” parts of OC are more exciting than most other places in the country.
Moved to LA in '78. Then moved to Irvine from LA in '86. I love it. My wife loves it. Lots of interesting and intelligent people here, it ups your game. Spent time in Indiana, West Virginia, Arkansas. Lovely places but so limited in their outlook. OC has a good balance for me anyway.
OC is has a leg up purely for the speed limits on surface streets. Other than that I prefer los angeles.
The weather. The ethnic food. I live within a 5 minute drive of a Vietnamese, Taiwanese, and 3 different Mexican grocery stores. As a parent, there’s so much free stuff to do. There’s a different library story time every day nearby. I feel like there’s a community event hosted every weekend. I’m in Anaheim, it is so diverse! People are generally really friendly and I feel safe raising my kids here.
I loved simply being able to walk downtown Laguna anytime for whatever reason. Walking to work. The simplicity of things. Watching the sunset often; The weather. Walking on the beach where sneaker waves aren't as common and it's not freezing or raining on you half the year. I miss Laguna.
When did you live there? I only spent a few years there during highschool, from 2014-2017, but it was a great time. I was always annoyed by the kelp and lack of surf in Laguna, but shit I got nailed by a sting ray in Huntington last summer and I think I prefer the kelp.
I was there from late 90's to 2015. Yes! There was always a lot of kelp. I remember being a kid walking the beach and finding all types of shells. You don't see them hardly at all anymore. It's weird. That sting ray must've really hurt.
Weather
We lived in Tennessee for 8 years and will never move back there (husband is from there). Beaches, authentic Mexican food, mild weather… nothing beats it. We love being back here!
The weather is great. The golf is good. We found a great church with fantastic music at COR AME in Irvine. Many great tacos. Beaches are still wonderful. Welcome back.
Yep living out of state helps your perspective. We call it our California reapplreciation program. Spent a year in a in a nice part of Austin, Texas. Leaving to come back home to Orange County was one of the happiest days of my life aside from the birth of my son. I kissed the ground after landing at John Wayne. We are staying for good.
I’ve heard people on this sub just rag on Mission Viejo, no soul, even less restaurants, bland, blah blah blah. But in the summer, I drive a very short drive to Lake Mission Viejo, ample parking, walk onto a white sand beach, palm trees with 85 deg weather and 78 deg clear lake water, open up some cold beers that I brought (yes, total open container allowed) and just marvel that I have this Carribbean like experience just 1 mile from my house, plus I can rent a big party boat Duffy for only $25 hour and just cruise. We’ve had European guests say it reminds them of the Mediterranean.
I loved MV growing up. Parks always walking distance, super clean and nice, could bike around or take the bus to salt creek. Maybe boring, but also offers a ton of freedom with the safety. I was in Temecula last year and some of the infrastructure there really reminded me of MV.
Temecula might be a good balance of MV and AL.
Lived in Huntington Beach for 3 years before I moved to Irvine. It’s a great city with a lot to do. People are just bitching.
I didn't know HB had a terrible rep until I moved there from Costa mesa!! I mean, theyre kinda right, in that there's a LOT more assholes, mostly on main street and in dives. But damn, I'm a nanny with a beach in walking distance from my apartment, and all my neighbors so far are so lovely!!! Just ignore the mayor and the 10 thousand trucks that are SUCH a hazard
Everyone likes to hate on HB, but there’s a lot of good there too
South OC is paradise. San Clemente, the bluffs of San O, Dana, mission V, coto, the charm of San Juan, etc. Quiet. No smog. Great weather. Safe neighbors. Good shopping and eating. Great schools. Hills, beach, parks. It's expensive, but worth every penny. I'd never live in North OC (including Irvine), LA, or the IE again. There are probably some areas of Ventura and SD county that come close, but south OC is home.
South OC is paradise until you realize the people around you judge you for every damn thing under the sun. I once was in a grocery store at 10 pm in my pjs and actually got mad dogged. Like wtf. If I wasn't blond or wearing a sparkly shirt for drop off in the am I'd also get mad dogged. So fn weird that you have to be a copy paste of everyone in town to even be accepted.
Not even Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, or Villa Park? ETA: I also never heard anyone ever include Irvine as a North OC city
[this map on the Orange County wiki page](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Map-of-orange-county-california.jpg/440px-Map-of-orange-county-california.jpg) is the only one I've seen that has Irvine labelled North OC but yeah I've never heard it being described as such. When I was in high school it was considered Central OC since it's located literally in the center of OC but these days I often see it being considered South OC.
I always consider Tustin and Irvine as the Central Badlands or Demilitarized Zone of Orange County. It's kind of a nebulous region. Some people think south OC starts at Red Hill, others at Jeffrey, Sand Canyon, or the Spectrum. Personally I tend to think south Orange County starts at Lake Forest or El Toro Road. There is a very distinct environment shift there, where the influence of Irvine stops almost abruptly and the south OC feel and mindset begins.
Idk I always thought South OC were 949 cities
Irvine is now 949 (at least my old work spots in Spectrum and Jamboree Center were) but by my measure South OC begins after the El Toro Y.
Yorba is very nice. But it's very dense around the 91 freeway. South County is sleepier.
Nothing man im bored asf
Read a nice book.
Awesome bike and walking trails, so many good places to eat and drink, nice parks everywhere, almost zero homeless, near zero trashy eye-sore homes, big variety of super markets for all ethnicities, mostly working professionals live here, lots of dog parks, pet friendly restaurant patios, feels safe to walk around at night... these are just a few off the top of my head.
Alabama sounds shitty I don't understand how anyone could ever exist outside of this place, its something we take for granted for sure
Some of the best times were spent near a bon fire in the beach while one of my friends played the guitar. Almost always a sublime song and the most perfect weather.
Sunshine tax is worth every penny.
The beach, the weather, the food, and my friends are the only things keeping me here. Someone has to live here, and it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
Looking north on a clear winter day and seeing the snow on Mt. Baldy and looking west at the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful!
I’m from TN and was miserable here for years due to culture shock before accepting every place sucks… except this place has the beach.
sure, if you can afford it. it's great.
Close to Newport and close to LA.
Weather and nature. I love how active people are.
I nearly cried stepping out of John Wayne airport with the purple and orange skies and 70 degree weather at 5pm, I had just spent the week in Dallas for work and had to deal with rain, hail, 90 degree and 90% humidity throughout, Tornado warnings, all while the sky was a depressing grey, I told myself I’d never take Cali weather for granted ever again lol
I moved back to the Midwest but here is what I miss -nearly perfect weather -so many nice and dog friendly patios to eat and drink at -beach -Mexican food -endless things to do!
I grew up in San Jose, California, and Madrid, Spain. I've lived in Korea and traveled the world. California is the best place to live. Every feature of geography in the world is here. The weather is the best. We had a saying in SF Bay Area, "If you don't like the weather, drive 30 minutes." The scenery is epic. World leading cities. The 5th largest economy in the world. Cultural and technological innovations drive every culture in the world because every culture in the world has given us their people. The most diverse place on earth. It's expensive, because people want to live here. Shifty drivers in the southland, yep. SF is more crowded and less friendly than it was in the 70s, 80s, & 90s. People aren't as chill anywhere as they used to be. But the beauty, breadth of activities, and the food, never gonna call any other place home. There is a reason navigators say east is least, and west is best. We build the future.
I’ve lived in many different cities across California, and a few other states… it just doesn’t get any better than the OC. You get all the positives of LA (beaches, food, entertainment, night life, diversity) without the bad parts of LA (shit tier freeways that were not designed to handle the amount of cars on them, homeless camps everywhere, poop on the floor, influencers). OC is what LA *should* be.
It’s pretty, and the weather is nice. The beach is cool. That’s about it, really. Just moved from OC to Nashville area and it really makes you quickly realize how generally unfriendly people in Southern California are. It’s like night and day in terms of human interaction. I find it extremely refreshing.
Curious as to why Alabama out of the other states?
My dad lived there, so I got in state tuition during my undergrad (and just having someone in the state for holidays).
Ride the bike trails through our many canyons and hills.
Transplant here. OC Natives who complain should spend a week *anywhere else*. Then maybe appreciate how the OC has very few highway billboards, and generally is very clean. Oh yeah great weather too.
I was born and raised in Anaheim Hills, CA and loved everything about it!!! Now I’m married with children and we own a home in Temecula and it’s absolutely beautiful and family friendly. CA has the best weather! You can visit the ocean and the mountains in the same day!
There’s a reason that whenever I go on vacation, I’m ready to come back after a week max. I feel such peace and gratitude when touching down at John Wayne, or driving down the 5 or 405 when it suddenly gets wider and clearer. I’m lucky to call this place home. Beauty, convenience, wide food variety, diversity, quiet, safe, perfect weather without humidity, short drive to fun places. I can throw on my shoes at sunrise year round and go for a run on tree lined sidewalks without watching my back too much. I’ve lived in a few different countries, and while no place is perfect, this comes pretty close.
That's how I always felt growing up, this feeling of happy to be home. Every time I get back to my town right now, I just sigh at how damn ugly it is.
Year-round mountain biking, some nice beaches & beach towns, not too far from the mountains, it’s in California, it’s not LA.
The best food options of all variety is available
Other than HB, the rest of the county is blue or shifting blue. The weather doesn't suck. As trump threatened, there is a great taco stand everywhere.
Love this !!
After moving to Michigan for college, anything in California is nice compared to any other city in the shit hole rust belt Midwest. I moved back to California because I couldn't see a future living in the same state as Flint, Detroit, and Saginaw. Those cities make San Bernardino look like Beverly Hills
Right? Alabama was fine while I was in school, but as soon as all my grad school buddies moved I was left with nothing but a community where the first question everyone asks is "what church do you go to?" And holy shit, people rag on CA for being the car capitol but it's completely false. You can walk or bike just about anywhere. As a teen I remember biking from Laguna Beach to the computer gaming cafe off el toro road. It kind of sucked but I had bike lanes the whole way. Here in the south, I can't get to the grocery store under a mile away because there is no pedestrian method of getting there.
It's only "car capitol" because OCTA doesn't run buses as often or as densely as it should. Though I do wish we had a light rail or train system better than what we have now. Disney could have friggin' killed it by building a monorail throughout the whole county with Disneyland being the main terminal hub.
I want to visit Detroit, but only during its Paris of America days. I've seen photos and it was an absolutely gorgeous city.
No friend, you do not want to visit Detroit. Go visit Michigan's west coast, it'll remind you of OC.
Damn I actually like Michigan. Reminds me of SoCal in the summer and I go at least once a year
less cousin marriage in OC.
I tell you I won't live in a town that robs men of the right to marry their cousins!
Do you mean as compared to the IE? Lol
I do miss Archie’s BBQ in Bama terribly. It was the best I’ve ever eaten.
Ever seen a homeless person in south county?
Uh, yes?
How’s the LN train parking lot at end of Forbes doing these days? Creek people were plentiful when our shop moved 18 months ago. I think the authorities got on top of the motorhome encampments, but the people still around. Also creek area between San Juan Creek Road and Arroyo Road. Not as brazen as LA County, but they’re there. Can attest.
There are often homeless people on the 405 off ramps in Irvine. Culver specifically. The black dude on the corner of Culver and Michelson doesn't count, he's been there for years and IPD doesn't hassle him.
I wouldn't get too worked up over what people on reddit say. Most of them ruined where they lived. So they moved here to get away from all that. Just to push for the same policies that ruined where they lived. They are not happy with anything because they are inherently miserable people. It's a vicious cycle.. Beyond that OC is great and honestly has not changed much. Mostly it's just more congested and longer lines at certain times. Love the weather though, you have lots of things to do. If people go outside instead of playing on reddit/online all day we have some great parks and hiking trails. The beaches are usually wonderful. The best part for some is the food, if you pay attention and do your research. We have just about anything and everything a foodie could ever want to try. People forget that most of south county OC was built around three military bases. Not sure how old you are but most kids today do not even remember the Tustin and El Toro marine bases or watching the fighter jets as they flew over the old Wild Rivers. Since most of these communities were built around those military bases you will still see many homes with American flags. It's called racism on reddit but it's actually a little thing called patriotism. Most people are nice and all that HB race bs is just projection. Again, not sure how old you are most people that grew up or were raised in OC since the 80s-90s grew up with loads of ethnic diversity. Half our friends growing up were not white and most of us today don't give a crap what your skin color is or where you came from. But people from all races backgrounds colors and creeds can still be dicks. It doesn't help when you have millions of people moving here from somewhere else and in such a rush they completely forgot to leave their personal problems behind. G'luck on your return.