Friend got Job transfer to Irvine/Looking for nice place to live

[NJHalo]

My friend works for ATT and got a nice promotion, but has to relocate to Irvine. They are letting him wait until school is done in June so as to not disrupt his young kids.

Where would you recommend he look to buy a house? He has two daughters (10&8). He could probably sell his house here in NJ for $600,000, so looking for something in that range, or a little higher. Looking for a nice , safe town commutable to/ from Irvine.

TIA

[2002_halos_II]

If he is looking at Irvine than it will be higher.

 

Check Realtor.com or Zillow/Trulia for prices  within a 20/30 mile radius. (I think  neighborhoods in Lake Forest or Mission Viejo do not have the  Mello Roos (sp) taxes.)

Edited March 17, 2014 by 2002_halos_II

[Sully151]

I live in Santa Margarita in a 1600 sq ft house, walking distance to a great school. 3 houses that are the same model as mine sold in the last 6 months. The price range was $620-679K. Just as a reference.

Santa Margarita is probably 30 minutes from his work. Less if you take the toll road.

Edited March 17, 2014 by Sully151

[Spencer]

Lake Forest was an up and coming place a few years ago, so prices were 10-20% less than in Irvine.

Now they are more on par with Irvine itself, but your friend could probably still find a deal if he's a little lucky.

My home office used to be right by Tustin Marketplace (at the 5 and Jamboree). The commute from Anaheim (at the 57 and 91 freeways) was around 30 minutes.

Not terrible, but not fun.

If it were me, I would look for a place in Orange or central/east Anaheim. Plenty of good neighborhoods, close to freeways, and 600k can get you into a sweet home.

Only trouble is the public schools aren't great.

Somebody else would have to give advice about south county.

[wopphil]

East Orange. Off Chapman and Newport. Great area, and a quick toll ride drive away from Irvine.

[Ordos]

Irvine, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo

Edited March 17, 2014 by Ordos

[Ray McKigney]

Avoid a commute. Find something close to Irvine. A daily commute here is soul-crushing.

[Tank]

i was going to volunteer to let him crash on my couch for a few days, but there's another thread out there warning against it. sorry.

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

A nicer condo in irvine runs about 600 and probably will net you mello Roos.

There are several new developments north of the 5 fwy but hey are anywhere from mid 900s for about 2000 SQ FT. If he has cash and time hey are building the orchard Hills estates. Those start at 3 mil.

[Sully151]

There are a bunch of new houses being built in Lake Forest from the 600,000's on up. It borders Irvine and depending in where his work will be, he may be able to get there without getting on the freeway.

The good thing about new houses in Lake Forest is they have no Mello Roos tax.

[Adam]

Bought a house in Mission Viejo for $650K in Dec. Nice neighborhood. 5 bedrooms. I work in Irvine. Commute is 10-15 mins in traffic

[mp170.6]

Does your friend have to commute everyday, or work at home part of the time?

[St1ck]

Adam said they can crash in his garage until they find a place. He'll hook up a hose so they can bathe, and drink. 

[NJHalo]

MP; He will be doing at least 3 days a week in Irvine, and then traveling the rest, flying out of SNA

Edited March 17, 2014 by NJHalo

[nate]

Compton

[mtangelsfan]

Midway City

[Ray McKigney]

Santa Ana

[Tank]

santa anita.

[2002_halos_II]

There are a bunch of new houses being built in Lake Forest from the 600,000's on up. It borders Irvine and depending in where his work will be, he may be able to get there without getting on the freeway.

The good thing about new houses in Lake Forest is they have no Mello Roos tax.

Baker's Ranch.

Edited March 18, 2014 by 2002_halos_II

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

Irvine's a trip because it's so spread out but then again so is quite a bit of South OC which is newer and nicer.  You may live 5-10 miles from work but depending on where you live or work that could be a 30-40 minute commute during rush hour.  I've got friends that live in RSM and if you don't take the toll roads their place is like 8-10 miles away from the freeway.  I'd recommend Irvine, Tustin, Lake Forest and Mission Viejo and depending where he ends up at the toll roads might be a time and sanity saver.  I live in HB and love where I live but it's a townhouse and looking at home prices you get newer and nicer in South OC and that's where I'll likely end up in the next 7-10 years.   

 

As someone else mentioned look out for mello roos.  I know someone who lives in Ladera ranch which is nice but they like a lot of people down there pay mello roos and they're paying like $800 a month just for that.  

Edited March 18, 2014 by Catwhoshatinthehat

[NJHalo]

Ok, what is mello Roos ?

[2002_halos_II]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mello-Roos

[Spencer]

Avoid Mello Roos at all possible costs

[2002_halos_II]

MR and HOA fees in newer communities in So OC are things your friend wants to avoid if possible. Is this a short term move? How much home does he need?

[NJHalo]

MR and HOA fees in newer communities in So OC are things your friend wants to avoid if possible. Is this a short term move? How much home does he need?

Possibly permanent move. Wife and two kids, so he needs at least 3BR/2 bath