xx

Orange County has awesome weather and better housing prices - what more could you ask for?

bryan

Reporting back to all that have been so helpful. My wife has been doing lots of research and as much as Los Gatos sounds wonderful as well, Fullerton, also sounds great, seems more affordable so this is the direction we're leaning. Again, thanks for the input guys. Bryan

kam

Bryan, Just factor in the higher cost of living from utilities, car registration, gas prices, taxes etc. you will face in California. Be certain that your company will be willing to pay you more after the move. You'll need it! Either Fullerton or Los Gatos would be a great choice.

OC

You won't regret your decision with Fullerton. Fullerton is nice, but neighboring Brea is even better.

Bryan

O.C.,
Now you've got my curiosity up...just why is Brea nicer? Fullerton is more expensive right? Thanks, Bryan

Lisa

Brian, glad you decided to move to Southern CA. We've lived in the Bay area before moving down here in OC. We love the beaches, the weather, oh the beaches, so many to choose from, so gorgeous and there are so many things to do! If you love theatres, arts and galleries, beaches, theme parks, skiing, everything you'd ever need. We love everything from theatres to beaches, driving to San Diego, Hollywood, San Diego zoo, Long Beach Aquarium...Don't buy a house immediately, pick an apartment (month by month) to rent and then on the weekends drive around to get a feel for all the surrounding areas. Everybody has a different opinion about where they want to live...We also young, in our early 30s. Good luck! You will love Southern CA, but it really depends on where you want to live. Of course some are better, more expensive, newer, closer to the beaches, safer...etc...

sam

moved out here 10 years ago from the east coast, and it still doesn't feel like "home". There are a lot of great things about it, but there is no culture, there are no seasons, and sometimes it just doesn't feel "real". On the other hand, northern cal. (i'm in socal) has a much nicer feel to it.

SoCal

I've lived in San Francisco and Irvine and I can't wait to get back to OC. The prices are more reasonable, a lot more sunshine and generally nicer people. I have a friend who lives in Brea and I would agree that it seems nicer than Fullerton for living (and tends to be a little more costly). Yorba Linda is actually my favorite North County community. Rolling hills and canyons. Nice middle class community, but very family oriented.

Connie

I'm living in Dallas for the past 9 months but prior to this I lived in Yorba Linda (very close to Fullerton). I think you will like Orange County...I sure did (although I'm enjoying Dallas.. except for this summer heat!)
I always really like Fullerton and would highly recommend it if you like more established areas. Although I like Yorba Linda, I didn't like the fact that most of the homes are of a "cookie cutter" variety (i.e.many tract homes)and there aren't the beautiful trees and parks that Fullerton seems to have. Also, Fullerton just always seemed to have more "charm" and uniqueness than Yorba Linda has.
Brea is another nice city with great shopping and restaurants. Yorba Linda is very family oriented but some seemed a bit "snobby" in my opinion. I found the people in Fullerton a bit more down to earth and "real", also lots of great restaurants in an awsome downtown area. Fullerton and Yorba Linda are two areas that have lots of "high end" properties. Brea always seemed more affordable to me and a very nice community. I agree that renting until you get your bearings is the best idea. I really hope you like Orange County! Good Luck to you, your wife and your doggie.

x

Wow - I always thought that Yorba Linda was filled with parks! I used to play tennis over there and always really liked the people in my classes - very down to earth and friendly. Great town to raise a family.

Fullerton has a lot of lower end apt. complexes due to the high number of students. Plus, there seems to be more "less than desirable" ethnic neighborhoods growing in size.

Brea is pretty nice. Nicer than Fullerton IMHO. The downtown area is really growing. Nice mall too.

Connie

to: x
Ut oh, my former neighbors will be all over me! I never meant to imply that I didn't like Yorba Linda, CA. Actually, housewise, it was a beautiful newer home (built in 1994 I believe) between Imperial and Weir Canyon, over 3,000 sq.ft. I was only stating that I think Fullerton is a prettier area with all the Jacaranda trees blooming in the downtown section, the cute antique stores on Harbor Blvd and such good restaurants (something Yorba Linda was lacking). I especially loved some of the older areas around Brookdale St....charming tutor homes with real uniqueness. I never found anything very unique or charming in Yorba Linda...almost too sterile. I believe the area in Fullerton I liked is called Golden Hill (my memory may be slipping). There were some really nice areas between Harbor and Euclid...large lots with custom homes to die for! There are also some undesireable areas in Fullerton that I would never consider living in!
I did have wonderful Y.L. neighbors though. I stand by my opinion that some of the people in Yorba Linda seemed a bit "snobby" IMO. Kind of had an attitude that they were better than others. If we should ever be transferred back to So. California I would probably look to buy in either Fullerton or Villa Park (another area I found very beautiful). I really have nothing negative about Yorba Linda, I just prefer a more established area and I found Yorba Linda to be one newer tract after another. Sorry If I came across too strong!! Connie

OC

It's called Sunny Hills in Fullerton. I'd still go with Brea or near the Orange Circle in Orange if I was young and childless.

gogoellen

This was a fun thread to read! My son lived in Fullerton and then his company moved him to Mountain View (by Los Gatos). We leave in the middle of the state (Fresno)where the housing is AFFORDABLE. Anyway...both areas are wonderful...If you like sunny beaches I would go So. Cal. If you like the cooler weather and the "city" (S.F) and cultue...go for No. Cal. When it is time to have a family move to Fresno and visit those great places on the weekend!!!!

Sandy

Bryan,
Just checked in for the first time in weeks. I actually live in Yorba Linda, in the older (cheaper) area right next to Placentia. Bryan, I hope you move to this area. I have lived here for 15 years (originally from MA) and I love it. I do know what Connie was referring to... as I see it:
1. Fullerton: nice area, established with some great neighborhoods. Lots of Doctors and Judges/Lawyers live there because there is a major hospital as well as a court house there. Soome neat restaurants, many colleges, beautiful trees, quite a picturesque town, good schools.
2. Placentia: next to Fullerton. Great area with good schools. More middle of the road housing prices, clean, nice people. More shopping options than Yorba Linda, but fewer than Fullerton or Brea, good schools.
3. Yorba Linda: a little more on the "new rich" side and some of people are a bit upity but very clean, good for families...be prepared to drive to either Brea or Fullerton everytime you want to go out to a nice restaurant or to a movie.
4. Brea: I love to shop here. Every store you can imagine is in Brea! Also has restaurants and movie theaters etc. Housing is also more middle of the road but nice, safe neighborhoods, good schools.
I think of the neighborhoods, Fullerton probably has the highest priced housing but it probably also has the least expensive housing...
Does this make sense? It has the low low's as well as the high high's. Brea and Placentia are wonderful without the extremes either way. Yorba Linda has the newest housing, but as Connie mentioned. There are a lot of newer "tracts" there which may turn some people off. If you want custom home, you probably don't want Yorba Linda. It is more of a sleepy town with good neighborhoods, very family oriented. You just have to travel to Fullerton or Brea for most things like doctors, shopping, restaurants, etc.
I wish you lots of luck in your move to Orange County (should you decide to move here) WELCOME!
P.S. If you're into horses, definitely chose either Yorba Linda or Fullerton...lots of horse lovers in both communities.
Sandy..Yorba Linda Resident

xx

I seriously doubt a recently married couple in their 20's will be able to purchase a $500,000 home in Fullerton or Yorba Linda. As for the nicest apartments, I'd be looking in Brea or Yorba Linda for newer luxury complexes. Fullerton tends to have older complexes overrun with college students or ethnic groups (depending on the neighborhod).

bj

Relo trolls - move to CA where they shoot people on the freeways. Act like a jerk and maybe someone will put us out of our misery and shoot Bryan.

sightseer

Brea would be my choice if I were looking for a rental property in the north OC area. While downtown Fullerton has some good restaurants & one of my favorite jazz hang outs (Steamers), I think Brea is a better rental area if you're not a student.

The downtown Brea area has been renovated in the past decade and now features movie theaters, shopping, and dining. There have also been some residential lofts built above some of the retail. Apparently the loft units have been very popular and can be tough to get, but would be worth looking into if you choose the Fullerton job. Here is a website for the loft project (it also gives you a little idea of the Brea area).
http://www.cimgroup.com/cities/brea/index.asp

I also have a few friends who have condos near the Orange Circle in downtown Orange. There are a lot of antique stores and fun restaurants (Felix's has great Cuban food) in this neighborhood.

While the North OC area isn't right near the beach (and therefore has the advantage of lower rents), you'll be centrally located and can get around to a lot of OC and LA areas on the weekends. And you won't have to worry about a long commute if you can take surface streets to Fullerton.

Good luck with your choice - I think you'll really enjoy living in Orange County!

Bryan

I just can't thank you all enough for all your help in this big decision of ours. THANK YOU!!
I've been studying maps etc. and wanted to ask about a city next to Fullerton called Anaheim. We will probably rent a home/apartment until we're sure we're going to stay awhile. We have been pre-qualified should we decide to purchase a home for a max of $325,000 on my salary alone. I was surprised we could afford this much but we just paid off all our credit cards. (probably best to rent for awhile first though) What do you think of Anaheim? Fullerton does seem really nice (as does Brea) but maybe...just a bit too nice for our pocketbook. What do you all think? No offense, but from what I've read...Fullerton is loaded with Doctors and Judges (apparently court house and major hospital locals)...maybe driving the home and apartment rentals up in price...?? Maybe Anaheim or Brea is better for us "poor folk". I have an MBA but still consider myself getting started. Brea sounds really good. Sounds like good restaurants and shopping in both Fullerton and Brea...just sounds like we can get more for our money in Brea. Fullerton sounds too expensive!
Bryan

Carin

You're getting lots of good advice, Bryan. I just wanted to add that Brea IS nicer than Fullerton because more of it is newer and it doesn't really have any barrios (read that other person's "ethnic neighborhoods" - which, by the way, is not necessarily a bad thing - but CAN be because of gang activity.) I grew up in Yorba Linda, and YES, they are snobs. I couldn't wait to leave. Fullerton is older and more diverse - there would be more of a variety in housing. Forget Anaheim - it used to be a beauftiul community years ago, but now it's mostly dumpy. Anaheim Hills, however, is much different. It makes Yorba Linda look like Mayberry. $325,00 isn't a lot in that area. In East Whittier (not at all like Brea - LA County) 1950 3 bedroom, 1 3/4 bath houses in a decent neighborhood are going for $385,000-$400,000. Newer houses in Brea and Fullerton start around $400,000. Get a nice apartment in brea or Fullerton - not near a college and take your time looking around. If you are going to work in Fullerton, you might like the east end of La Mirada - more affrodable, too. (Orange is TOO far and is a copy of Fullerton.)

OhNo

Bryan -

You didn't need to tell us that you are a brand new MBA young and just out of school - your implication that it's the doctors and judges who are making all the money shows how naive you are. Or, perhaps you're one of those guys with a chip on your shoulder because you couldn't have gotten into medical or law school.