Orange County is a region that embodies all the advantages of the model Californian lifestyle: sun-kissed beaches, year-round warm weather, and vibrant cultural life. Whether you are a young professional, starting a family, or a retiree looking for a perfect place to enjoy golden years, you can find a home in Orange County.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best places to settle down in Orange County to help you decide if this region is the place you’ve been searching for.
Why Settle in Orange County?
Orange County is a great place to move to for many reasons. The area offers a wide range of pristine beaches, hiking trails, and parks, providing plenty of opportunities for recreational fun. An average of 279 sunny days per year makes it a perfect location for year-round outdoor activities.
Orange County is a lively hub of cultural and artistic activities. It is home to several renowned museums, art galleries, and theaters. Moreover, the region has a vibrant music scene, with numerous concert venues and festivals happening throughout the year.
Orange County is also known for its diverse and thriving economy, with many job opportunities in various fields such as healthcare, technology, and tourism. The region also has several top-ranked universities delivering higher education and professional development opportunities.
Finally, Orange County is known for being safe and family-friendly, with excellent public and private schools and low crime rates. The region offers numerous housing options, from luxurious oceanfront homes to affordable apartments catering to different lifestyles and budgets.
To learn more about Orange County real-estate options and housing prices, check out this link: sleeveuphomes.com/orange-county.
Orange County’s Urban Treasures: The Best Cities to Call Home
Are you ready to relocate someplace sunnier? Let’s take a journey through six amazing cities in Orange County.
1. Newport Beach
With top-rated schools, a thriving business community, and a safe, family-friendly atmosphere, Newport Beach offers a high quality of life that’s hard to beat.
With about 85,000 citizens, this small city is a significant employment center with gorgeous houses, outstanding seafood restaurants, and eye-catching surrounding natural areas. Newport Beach is ideal if you’re a fan of water-based sports, such as rowing, kayaking, surfing, and paddle boarding.
A notable destination in this city, The Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, is an impressive wildlife sanctuary where you can walk, hike, and bike through breathtaking, untouched nature.
2. Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach may be a perfect choice if you’re looking for a smaller, unique, picturesque place to call home in Orange County. This charming seaside city became an art colony in the 1930s when famous Hollywood directors started choosing it as a movie-shooting location.
Since then, it has developed into a thriving art community with fascinating galleries, museums, music festivals, and events that attract visitors from every state. With its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and cafes, this city provides plenty of reasons to leave the house and engage in the local community.
In addition to having a vibrant cultural life, Laguna Beach has gorgeous beaches for dedicated surfers and offers plenty of chances for hiking on its 20,000 acres of protected wildlife reserves.
3. Irvine
Irvine is one of Orange County’s major cities and home to more than 300,000 people. This master-planned community is known for its safety, excellent schools, parks, outdoor recreation centers, entertainment venues, and high standard of living, making it a top choice for families and young professionals looking for a city that enables a healthy lifestyle for its residents.
This city is renowned for its park and recreation opportunities. Most notably, Great Park comprises 28% of the city’s total area. It offers many open spaces, soccer fields, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and an ice rink. This park is enormous, wide open, rarely crowded, and ideal for a family day out. In addition, you can unwind after a long day of work by visiting the local beaches and enjoying the landscape.
Irvine’s thriving job market provides employment chances with numerous well-known companies, like Amazon, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, and others.
If you want to live in a big city with vibrant communities and exciting attractions but want to avoid dangerous and costly megacities, Irivne will be perfect for you.
4. Anaheim
Anaheim is home to about 350,000 residents, which makes it the most populated city in Orange County. While Disneyland is undoubtedly a major draw for visitors to this city, it has much more to offer than just its iconic theme park.
The Anaheim area has many enticing attractions, including the Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and the Anaheim Convention Center. Furthermore, Anaheim is a diverse city with a mix of cultures and backgrounds. This diversity is reflected in the city’s many festivals, museums, events, and restaurants offering various cuisines.
While the cost of living in Anaheim is higher than the national average, it is still more affordable than many other cities in California. Additionally, this city has many different housing options, from apartments to single-family homes, so you can find something that fits your budget.
5. Fullerton
With its beautiful tree-lined streets, historic downtown area, and top-rated schools, Fullerton is a great place to raise a family. This city is located in northern Orange County, California, and has approximately 140,000 residents. Fullerton is home to California State University Fullerton (CSUF), the largest university in the California State University system by enrollment.
Fullerton is also renowned for its rich musical history. Several famous musicians have lived in or near Fullerton, including Leo Fender, the electric guitar innovator who founded the Fender company in this city.
The Day of Music Fullerton is an annual event that celebrates the diverse musical culture of Fullerton, California. The event takes place on the summer solstice, typically around June 21st each year, and features over 150 free concerts and performances by local musicians, bands, and music organizations.
The Fullerton Arboretum is another fascinating attraction in this city. This 26-acre botanical garden with more than 4,000 plants from around the world is situated on the campus of California State University, Fullerton.
Fullerton is also home to several historic landmarks, including the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, which was once the home of the Muckenthaler family, and the Fullerton Union High School Auditorium, a famous performing arts venue built in 1930.
6. Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, also known as “Surf City USA,” is a coastal paradise with 10 miles of pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Huntington Beach is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The city has implemented various green initiatives, including a comprehensive recycling program and installing solar panels in public buildings. So, if you’re an eco-enthusiast, you’ll fall in love with this beautiful town.
Many exciting events occur in Huntington Beach during the summer. For example, this city holds the U.S. Open of Surfing annually. Huntington Beach is also a stop on the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour. A biathlon hosted by the Bolsa Chica & Huntington State Beach Lifeguards also takes place in July every year.
Apart from sponsored surf events, Huntington Beach has some of the best surf breaks in California and the United States. For true ocean lovers, Huntington Beach is ideal for settling down.
Make Your Californian Dream a Reality in Orange County
Whether you are looking for a quiet suburban neighborhood or a bustling city center, Orange County can be a perfect choice for you. If you’re a fan of the warm climate, breathtaking scenery, and diverse employment opportunities, settling down in Southern California’s Orange County is a decision you won’t regret.
Good luck!