Is Orange County, CA a good place to live? This is one of the top questions that comes to mind when you think of moving to Orange County, California. The truth is, Orange County is a great place to live in due to favorable weather, beautiful beaches, amenities, and good quality of life even for families.
Orange County is located in Los Angeles metropolitan area within the U.S state of California and has a population of over 3 million people. In this guide, we are going to discuss the advantages of living in Orange County, CA to give you better reasons why you should consider relocating to Orange County.
Let’s dive in shall we.
- Orange County has some of the best beaches
Orange County is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in California. Due to the favorable sunny and warm weather, residents here enjoy spending some quality time on the beach. Some of the famous beaches in Orange County are; Laguna Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach. Each beach gives you a unique experience like no other. One of the experiences you can’t afford to miss is the famous Huntington Beach Pier at sunset.
Orange County is huge and has a diverse community
Orange County is made of diverse communities both locals and foreigners. It can be divided into two regions namely; the Northern and Southern regions. The two regions have distinct demographics, political, cultural, and economic orientations. The two regions are divided along the Costa Mesa Freeway.
The Northern region of Orange County was the first to be developed and it has a deep historical culture similar to neighboring Los Angeles County. It includes areas like Fullerton, Anaheim, La Habra, Buena Park, and the city of Orange with each having a high population density.
The southern region of Orange County is more modern, wealthier, and an economic hub. The most popular cities in the southern section include; Irvine, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, and Mission Viejo.
- Orange County has modern transport amenities
If you live in a city full of traffic jams, you will save a lot of time if you relocate to Orange County. There are excellent transport systems that are offered by the Orange County Transportation Authority. Public transport by road and rail is very efficient in Orange County.
There are express toll lanes for private drivers which helps reduce traffic. Also, there is a well-maintained Southern California metro link that provides commuter train services along the Orange County line, the 91 line, and the Inland Empire-Orange County line.
- The cost of living in Orange County is lower
The cost of living in Orange County is relatively lower compared to other neighboring counties in CA. There are many cheaper housing options for those who can’t afford leafy southern region suburbs.
The fastest-growing cities in Orange County such as Irvine have plenty of employment opportunities for the residents. According to the OC Register as of July 20, 2021 in Orange County, the median price for all homes is $900,000.
The median price of an average, mid-priced house is over $1 million once again. For people who prefer to live in a condo where the outside maintenance is taken care of, the median-priced is at $627,000. In L.A. County a mid-priced condo is $635,000.
Don’t let the price deter you. There are still 3-percent down home loans up to $822,375. This means you can buy a home for $847,800 with a 3 percent down loan and historically low interest rates under 3.00% based on you having the qualifying income and employment.
- Orange County is safe for raising children
If you are a young family with school-going children, moving to Orange County will not interfere with their normal life. There are excellent education systems, fewer crimes, and lots of outdoor activities. Kid’s amenities such as the famous Disneyland is located in Anaheim city in Orange County. There are arrays of natural attractions and shopping centers that you can visit as a family and enjoy cool outdoor adventures.
When it comes to education, Orange County is home to some of the top-performing schools. Some of the best schools include; Coastline community college, Orange Coast College, Irvine Valley College, Anaheim University, Whittier law school, University of California (Irvine), Laguna College of Art and Design,
- Orange County has a rich culture, attraction sites, and arts
There can never be a dull moment for Orange County residents. Communities have a rich culture and gorgeous beaches across Orange County attract millions of tourists annually. Huntington Beach is a great spot for surfing and sunbathing. Orange County has plenty of exciting outdoor activities. You can take your family to renowned theme parks such as; Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks.
Other tourists and historical destinations to visit include; Knott’s Berry Farm, Soak City, Little Saigon, Mission San Juan Capistrano, John Wayne’s Yacht, and Richard Nixon’s Birthplace. There are many great restaurants in Orange County that serve tasty foods from different cultures.
Best cities to live in Orange County, California
- Irvine City- It’s one of the best cities to live in Orange City, CA. Irvine City has lived to its expectations of being the safest city. There are plenty of attractions and most of the residents here are working. For those with kids, you can get top-performing schools.
- Laguna Beach- It was founded by artists and it’s famously known as the art capital of Orange County. There are many beautiful beaches and excellent schools. Home prices in Laguna Beach are higher compared to other neighborhoods.
- Newport Beach- This is a coastal town that was originally designed for maritime industries. Newport Beach is one of the richest cities in the state of California. Homes in Newport Beach are also expensive. Residents enjoy gorgeous boats and yachts. Make sure you visit Lido Village and The Channel Islands for a delightful experience.
- Aliso Viejo- If you are looking for one of the affordable cities to live-in in Orange County, Aliso Viejo is the place to be. Residents enjoy the serenity as there are low crime rates and it’s a great neighborhood to raise a family in if you have a medium income.
- Rancho Santa Margarita- It’s a modern master-planned community that is strategically located in the heart of Irvine City. It has a small population and most residents here are homeowners. Rancho Santa Margarita scores the highest marks when it comes to safety. There are also top-performing schools and modern shopping amenities. Residents here enjoy the outdoors by going swimming or hiking in the nearby hills. There is also plenty of restaurants and shopping joints.