If you love sandy beaches, year-round sunny weather, and exploring the great outdoors, you should think about moving to Irvine, California. Irvine is a pristine beachside city in Orange County, California, situated in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Known as one of the best places to live in California, the city offers residents a mix of urban character and suburban charm.
Irvine is a wonderful city for both individuals and families. With excellent schools, a thriving economy, and an abundance of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, what’s not to love? Keep reading to learn more about this beautiful and unique California city!
What’s It Like To Live in Irvine?
Irvine is unique among other cities in the Los Angeles metro area. It’s a master-planned community, which means it was carefully planned from its inception. In fact, Irvine is considered to be one of America’s most successful master-planned communities ever. Due to this careful planning, Irvine’s neighborhoods and commercial areas appear neat, organized, and clean. The city also has ample parks and outdoor recreation spaces that are well-spaced and easy to access from anywhere in the city.
Although Irvine is a city in its own right, it does have the feeling of an affluent American suburb. The lack of a major urban center, however, contributes to cleaner air, healthier outdoor spaces, and lower crime rates in the city. It’s one of the best cities in America to raise a family. On a recent list of Cities with the Best Public Schools in America, Irvine came in at number 5.
Culture & Things To Do in Irvine
Irvine is a family-friendly environment that offers fun indoor and outdoor activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year. The city has an abundance of great local restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, and shopping areas. It’s in close proximity to some of the most well-known and beautiful beaches in California, including Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach. The nearby Santa Ana Mountains offer even more outdoor fun and adventure.
The city is just a 40-minute drive to Los Angeles, so Irvine residents can easily take day trips into the big city to visit LA’s attractions, see a play, dine out, or attend the filming of a late night TV show.
Irvine Neighborhoods
Irvine is a safe, clean city with an abundance of great neighborhoods to choose from. Ideally, you really want to choose a neighborhood that serves your specific needs. Are you a young professional looking for access to nightlife and public transportation? Oak Creek might be just the place! Are you a parent hoping to send your kids to the best schools? Turtle Rock or Northwood Point are great places to start. Or are you a retiree looking for a quiet, safe neighborhood with access to the beach and great restaurants? We recommend looking at Turtle Ridge as a place to settle in!
Whatever you’re looking for, there’s an Irvine neighborhood that will feel like home to you. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Irvine, California:
- Great Park
- Oak Creek
- West Park
- Turtle Rock
- Woodbridge
- Northwood
- Northwood Point
- Business District
- UC Irvine
- University Park
- University Town Center
- Walnut Village
Moving to Irvine: Key Facts & Figures
- Irvine has a population of approximately 307,670, according to the most recent census data.
- The median age of residents in the city is 42.2 years.
- Irvine is an affluent city and an expensive place to live; in fact, the cost of living in Irvine, California is indexed at 147.8.
- Irvine’s median household income sits at $105,126.
- The median home price in Irvine is $1,108,188; however, most Irvine residents rent their homes, with the median monthly rent sitting at $2,901.
- Irvine’s climate is generally categorized as subtropical, with very mild winters and hot, sunny summers; the city experiences average summer highs of 85° F and average winter lows of about 47° F.
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Pros & Cons of Living in Irvine
Like any place, there are good things and bad things about living in Irvine, California. It’s also helpful to remember that people are looking for different things from their hometowns. For example, one person may love the sunny, tropical weather in Irvine, while their neighbor prefers clouds and chilly mornings.
That said, here are a few generally agreed-upon pros and cons of living in Irvine, California:
Pros
- Living in Irvine is very safe. Irvine is the safest city of its size in the United States, with very low rates of violence and property crime. According to the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report, Irvine has the lowest violent crime rate per capita among cities with populations of 250,000 or more.
- You can enjoy sunny weather and beautiful beaches all year long. If you’re a sun worshiper, you’ll love the weather in Irvine. The city sees nearly 300 days of sun each year. The annual high temperature in Irvine is 73° F. That means you can spend most of your free time outdoors at one of Irvine’s gorgeous nearby beaches.
- Irvine has some of the best schools in the country. If you’re a parent with children in school, you can rest assured they’ll be getting a great education in Irvine. From kindergarten to 12th grade, Irvine has a top-notch educational system. The city is also home to the University of California at Irvine, which is also a highly rated school.
Cons
- It’s tough to get by without a car. One of the main reasons many people like to live in big cities is that public transportation can take you almost anywhere. This isn’t the case in Irvine (or really anywhere in the Los Angeles metropolitan area). If you want to live in Irvine and don’t want to have to Uber everywhere, you need wheels.
- There’s only one season. If you love the warmth of the sun on your skin, Irvine is perfect for you. But if you enjoy seeing the seasons change or cuddling up with a hot cup of cocoa with snow on the ground, you won’t find that in Irvine.
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There’s no way around it – moving is stressful. No matter how organized you are, packing up your entire life and moving somewhere new is tough. But with West Coast Moving & Storage, it doesn’t have to be! We offer full-service moving and storage solutions, handling all the difficult and frustrating aspects of your move so you can focus on exploring your new home and enjoying your new adventure!
Our experienced team is at your service. Contact us online today to get started, ask any questions you may have, and get a free consultation.