Lake Forest Homes & Real Estate

Lake Forest CA, brings together new and recently built homes with its more mature neighborhoods to generate a fine-looking city sheltered by and graced with tall eucalyptus trees. In 2000, Lake Forest annexed the brand new neighborhoods of Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch and augmented its dimensions by 2,700 acres and its housing inventory by 6,100 properties, the large majority of that are single family detached and attached condos. Lake Forest is encouraging these neighborhoods to maintain their identities and zip codes. For that reason, buyers can check homes for sale in Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch, or what's occurring in these communities, however they are now part of Lake Forest. In 2003, a Library opened in Foothill Ranch and contains room reserved for the community along with pc stations. Portola Hills, after standing aside patiently for three years, received a park in 2002.

Lake Forest (El Toro) commenced within the early 1960's, with roughly 200 homes. Suburbia arrived in that decade in the |shape of 2,000 residential units. The following decade resulted in 9,200 homes, condominiums and multifamily apartments. Within the 1980's, nearly 8,100 residential properties were built - all following the county authorities, because the town at the moment was not incorporated.

In late 1980's, Lake Forest CA residents pressed for Cityhood and were successful. In the 1990's, Lake Forest constructed in the region of 1,100 properties and then adjoined Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch. The state in 2005 counted 26,385 housing units in Lake Forest, compromised of 14,166 single detached, 3,923 single attached, 7,010 multiples and 1,286 mobile homes. In excess of 80% of its homes, residences and condos were built in the preceding 25-30 years.

In Lake Forest proper, non-rental housing units exceed rental 72% to 28%. In Foothill Ranch, it's 77% to 23%, and in Portola Hills, 93% to 7% (based on data from the 2000 census).

Lake Forest Residential Homes & Condos

Lake Forest CA. is broken down into 4 areas. Lake Forest North, Lake Forest South, Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills; the area of Lake Forest north is located northeast of Trabuco Rd.  Lake Forest south area is located southwest of of Trabuco Rd, and boasts of two lake communities.

Lake Forest north has a total of 21 Condominium tracts incorporating a total of approximately 2,972 units.  Lake Forest south has a total of 17 Condo subdivisions comprising of a total of approximately 1,522 condominium units.  Details on Condos for sale can be viewed in the separate webpage's for Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills. Association dues in Lake Forest north and south range from a low of approximately $185/month to a high of around $295/month (Association dues are subject to change at any time).

Foothill Ranch Homes & Condos

Foothill Ranch Homes were first constructed in the late 1980's, and were completed in the late 1990's. Foothill Ranch comprises of 30 detached home subdivisions, incorporating about 2,600 homes, and contains an additional 3 condominium subdivisions comprising of approximately 466 units. Foothill Ranch is located northeast of the 241 Foothill Transportation Corridor, and west of Glenn Ranch Road.

All of the detached SFR home and attached condominium subdivisions are listed in the table below left.  For more details of each subdivision listed below, simply click on the Tract hyperlink if one exists. Below right is a list of all SFR Homes and Condos currently listed for sale, along with details of price, bedrooms and baths, square footage, year built and more.

Portola Hills Homes and Condos

Portola Hills real estate was first constructed in the mid-1980's, and were completed by the year 2000. Portola Hills incorporates 7 detached home subdivisions comprising of about 845 SFR homes. The area also includes 8 attached condominium tracts incorporating about 1,125 attached condominium units. Portola Hills subdivisions are all located in the foothills just north of Glen Ranch Road and just west of El Toro Road.

Lake Forest CA Real Estate is divided into the following major neighborhoods:

Lake Forest Communities

 

Lake Forest CA City Information

Lake Forest CA. mixes new and fairly new housing with its older neighborhoods to produce a handsome city shaded by and graced with tall eucalyptus trees. Lake Forest used to be known as El Toro, and is located between Irvine and Mission Viejo and next to the former Marine Air Station. The city extends from Highway 5 to Highway 241 (a toll road) and has a population of 78,020.

In 2000, Lake Forest annexed the new neighborhoods of Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch and increased its size by 2,700 acres and its housing stock by 6,100 units, the great majority of which are single family detached and attached condos. Lake Forest is encouraging these neighborhoods to keep their identities and zip codes. For this reason, you will read about homes for sale in Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch, or what's happening in these communities, but they are now part of Lake Forest. A Library opened in Foothill Ranch in 2003, and includes community room and computer stations. Portola Hills, after waiting 3 years, got a park in 2002.

Lake Forest has two neighborhoods built around man-made lakes, which explains the name of the town. On older maps Lake Forest may show up as El Toro, and some locals still call the town El Toro. Children attend schools in Saddleback Valley School District, which also educates the annexed neighborhoods and Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills. Local rankings indicate that Lake Forest schools with occasional exceptions, are scoring in the 70th, 80th and 90th percentiles, and several schools have won state honors.

The crime rate in Lake Forest is some of the lowest in country with Zero homicides in 2004, 2003, three in 2002, one in 2001, two in 2000, three in 1,999, one in 1998, zero in 1997 and 1996, two in 1995, zero in 1994 and 1993.

Lake Forest has attracted offices, hotels and high-tech firms, creating local jobs, and annexed a large mall on it's north side. When Lake Forest (El Toro) started its boom, construction proceeded northerly toward the Santa Ana Mountains and away from Interstate 5. A fair number of these homes are large ranchers built among extensive eucalyptus groves. Orange County is semi-desert and most communities confine themselves to shrubs and short trees. Lake Forest is the towering exception. As you move north, this mix continues and the homes take on a more contemporary look, tile roofs instead of wood shingle tinted stucco instead of wood siding. Some streets rise into gentle hills that afford views of the countryside and the mountains. For the newest homes, some with sweeping views drive to Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch. For the offbeat, take a look at the Lakes subdivision between Toledo Way and Jeronimo Road, with Paddleboats and fishing.

In Lake Forest, the under 21 total 315 of all residents, in Foothill Ranch, 33%, and in Portola Hills, 35%. These numbers translate into many activities for kids. Lake Forest is close to University of California, Irvine and to south county beaches, movies, performing arts center, top restaurants and the Spectrum Center. There are at least 20 parks including Regional Park and several linear packs.

If you would like more information regarding the City of Lake Forest, or if you are planning to relocate here, request Free information, Click Here.

 

Aliso Viejo	Coto de Caza	Costa Mesa	Dana Point
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Laguna Niguel	Lake Forest	Mission Viejo	Monarch Beach
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