1. ALISO VIEJO
Located in-between Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods is the city of Aliso Viejo. A perfect place for residents and those who enjoy the ocean, since it is just 15 minutes from the beach, and close to freeways.
There’s a little over 50,000 people living in one of the most family friendly cities in Orange County, with low crime rates, and median housing prices of $533,800, which is far less than the $591,000 median price for Orange County as a whole. The city’s excellent schools include Wood Canyon Elementary School, Aliso Niguel High School just to name a few are in the acclaimed Capistrano Unified School District.
Over 57% of Aliso Viejo’s population has obtained a bachelor’s degree. Its Town Center features the Edwards Multiplex 20 cinemas, Barnes & Nobles, and plenty of shops and restaurants for socializing. The Grand Park in the summer provides free movies, concerts, and amazing performances at the performing arts center at the peaceful Soka University.
Outdoor recreation keeps going at Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park where you can bike and hike. The city has a modern aquatics center, and a golf course at Aliso Viejo Country Club. There’s also the Marriott Renaissance ClubSport a fitness resort.
www.cityofalisoviejo.com
2. RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Located upon rolling hills and a master planned community, Rancho Santa Margarita, is another family friendly city where the crime rate is low and where just under 48,000 people reside. The city of Rancho Santa Margarita was incorporated on January 1, 2000 in Orange County.
The median home value is $590,600 among several neighborhoods. Dove Canyon is a private guard-gated residential community located in eastern RSM, with all single family residences, a golf club designed by Jack Nicklaus, swimming pool, tennis, a horse trail, and a kids park. It is a neighbor to the affluent Coto de Caza gated residential community. Coto de Caza contains only single family residences and is near the intersection of Plano Trabuco Road and Dove Canyon Drive.
The public schools of Cielo Vista, Trabuco Mesa, Robinson Ranch, Arroyo Vista, Melinda Heights, and Tijeras Creek in this area have performed very well statewide with test scores ranking very high.
Outdoor activities include the 4,000-acre O’Neil Regional Park with a great deal of options for biking, hiking, the Starr Ranch Sanctuary, the Tijeras Creek Golf Club, as well as RV or tent camping. Additionally, there’s a community center, dog park, and skate park. Local restaurants favorites are Pizza e Vino (among the best pizza restaurants in Orange County), Tutto Fresco, and for movies the Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas.
www.cityofrsm.org
3. MISSION VIEJO
This large city of nearly 100,000 is set in rolling hills with lush green landscaping on the parkways. There’s a lot families can do such as a good jog or walk around beautiful Lake Mission Viejo, a freshwater lake, or you can fish, boat, sunbathe or even swim there. There are 52 parks within Mission Viejo’s borders.
Things to do include going to the Shops of Mission Viejo, an upscale indoor mall, swimming at the Montanoso Recreation Center or Marguerite Aquatics Complex, Marguerite Tennis Center, or events and courses at the Norman P. Murray Community Center or Saddleback College.
With consistently highly rated schools belonging to the Capistrano Unified and Saddleback school districts and low crime make the city a great location for families and couples.
source: cityofmissionviejo.org