Tag: mission viejo

Orange County’s Best 55 Plus Communities for Home Buyers

Orange County, California, is home to many wonderful 55+ communities that are designed with active adults’ interests and needs in mind. The types of residencies in 55+ communities are usually smaller, with some being townhouses, apartments, and condos. Either way, these units are a great way to downsize and begin a new chapter in life.

From offering a lower cost of living and less competition with buyers to a sense of community and belonging, Orange County’s 55+ communities are great for those who qualify and are having a hard time buying a property in today’s hot market. If you’re planning to buy a new home for retirement, let’s look at three of Orange County, California’s most desirable 55+ communities.

Laguna Woods Village

Laguna Woods Village is a 55+ community located in Laguna Woods, California. This development was once known as Leisure World and was created by Ross Cortese; a fruit stand owner turned developer.

This age-restricted community features fourteen guard gates operated by a private security agency that provides patrol service, traffic enforcement, and 24-hour gate control. The community is made of condo units and single-family homes, so there are many options for types of housing.

If you enjoy recreational activities, there is no shortage at Laguna Woods Village. This community features five swimming pools, four spas, a PGA-rated 27-hole golf course, fitness centers, tennis courts, horse stables, pickleball courts, seven clubhouses, and bocce courts. Moreover, an arts and crafts clubhouse offers a wide range of activities, from stained glass and quilting to lapidary and pottery.

Casta del Sol – Mission Viejo, CA

Casta del Sol is a planned retirement community that’s home to nearly 2,000, mostly single-family, homes. This 55+ community is located in Mission Viejo, CA, and also features guard gates, 24-hour security, and many other amenities.

This community was developed between 1972 and 1987 and is especially great for active 55+ adults. There are many activities and clubs, including the lawn bowling club, vegetable garden club, and lapidary club. Yet, residents can also enjoy bird watching, fishing, boating, walking trails, tennis courts, bocce courts, an aerobics club, and so much more.

Gavilán – Rancho Mission Viejo, CA

Gavilán is a 55+ community for active adults located in South Orange County’s Rancho Mission Viejo. Situated just five short miles from the golden state’s captivating coastline, this historic property comprises over 23,000 acres and features a working farm, nature preserve, fruit orchards, biking and hiking trails, and many amenities.

One of the reasons so many 55+ residents choose Gavilán is because it offers a nice mix of resale and new construction homes. This distinguished community offers fourteen different neighborhoods in the villages of Sendero and Esencia. Residents in Gavilán enjoy many activities, including outdoor pools, yoga studios, great rooms, fitness centers, and more.

Closing Thoughts

Ultimately, California’s housing market has been on fire for the past several years. With competition still stiff, many buyers are forced to think outside of the box when choosing a new home. So, if you are over 55 and looking for a community where you can enjoy retirement – check out the three Orange County, California, 55+ communities we discussed today. There are lots of gorgeous properties to choose from, and with the age restrictions, securing a home is much easier than in other areas.

Mission Viejo vs. Rancho Santa Margarita – Where is Better to Live

With the relentless demand for housing in both Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, people often ask how the cities compare with each other. Especially after the pandemic subsides and normalcy returns, you may be thinking about a move or want to review the advantages and disadvantages of both areas.

Both Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM) share some traits where they both provide comfortable temperature ranges in the winter, a lower cost of living when compared with Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine or other major cities like L.A., and San Diego, and other characteristics. Nevertheless, there are obviously a number of differences too.

In terms of space, Mission Viejo is larger than RSM, measuring out at 18.03 square miles compared to RSM’s 12.94 square miles. Due to this fact, Mission Viejo has a larger population than RSM, totaling about 95,516 people, while RSM’s population is roughly fifty percent less at 48,500 residents.

Education
Both Mission Viejo and RSM offer a well-educated population, with around 57.5 percent of those in RSM have a four-year college degree and about 53.9 percent in Misson Viejo. Corresponding graduation rates for both cities are included in the chart below:

Mission Viejo, CA                Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

High School Graduation Rate     94.4%                                    95.9%
College graduation rate               43%                                       32%
Grad school graduation rate       15%                                      16.4%

Politics
Both Mission Viejo and RSM are slightly democratic based on the 2020 presidential election, 53.5% of people in Orange County voted Democrat, 44.4% voted Republican, and the remaining 2.1% voted Independent.

In Mission Viejo, where they voted Republican in 2016, they switched in 2020 to Democrat. 62.3% voted Democrat in the 2016 presidential election, 32.9% voted Republican, and the remaining 4.8% voted Independent.

Cost of Living – Which Is More Expensive?
The cost of living in Mission Viejo is higher than in RSM. AreaVibe’s cost of living index evaluates the cost of living differences between Mission Viejo and RSM according to ten categories: goods and services, grocery, healthcare, housing, crime, employment, schools, transportation, and utilities.

It is worthwhile to keep in mind that a score of 100 means the average cost of that category in the United States. If it is higher than 100, then it is cost above average.

Cost of Living Index:

Expense:                     Mission Viejo, CA                  Ranch Santa Margarita, CA Groceries                             114                                                  114
Healthcare                           105                                                 105
Housing                               294                                                  276
Schools                                 120                                                  130
Transportation                    136                                                 136
Utilities                                  89                                                   89

OVERALL                            167                                                 162

Based on this analysis, Rancho Santa Margarita is a little bit more affordable than Mission Viejo, providing slightly less costly housing and better schools. Both Mission Viejo and RSM provide residents a much higher cost of living. But if you’re a long time resident of California or relocating with a good paying job you are paying for convenience and a comfortable lifestyle without all the weather problems of the mid-west and east coast each year.

It’s complicated to discover a place that provides a good quality of life, convenience, and affordability – and Mission Viejo and RSM provide all of that and more.

Real Estate
The annual median price of a home in Mission Viejo is $867,800. This is less expensive than the median home price in RSM, which is $755,500. Rent in RSM is usually less expensive as well, with average rent in RSM around $2,054 per month compared to $2,119 in Mission Viejo.

If you are seeking an experienced real estate agent in Orange County to help you with your search, contact us to speak with local and state licensed experts.

In regards to architectural style, features mostly modern Spanish colonial, Ranch, Mission Revival and Western Craftsman style homes. There is one neighborhood with Mello Roos taxes.  That would be Dove Canyon in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Both Mission Viejo and RSM offer a vibrant community of forward-thinking, hard-working, and well-educated individuals.  There are so many reasons to love both cities; it’s hard to go wrong with either choice. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are contemplating moving and have any questions!