When it comes to life in Orange County, the coastal communities of Newport, Huntington, and so on receive all the attention. Despite the equivalent amenities and more reasonable home prices, Irvine somehow continues to fly under the radar in terms of desirability. The city received the distinction of 14th best city to live in California and was at one point referred to as “America’s Safest City”. Home to seemingly endless parks, multiple lakes, trendy shopping centers, and highly-rated schools, Irvine will continue to establish itself as one of the finest cities to call home in California.
Places to see in Irvine
Orange County Great Park – A long-awaited upgrade is coming to the largest park in Orange County. The Great Park will contain a massive sports complex, full golf course, a number of museums, and much more. Check out our associate Megan Campbell’s article for more information about the upcoming renovation.
Irvine Lake – Irvine Lake is a great place to spend a day enjoying the beautiful Southern California weather. The lake borders Oak Creek Park to the southeast and is a popular spot for residents to boat, hike, picnic, and (up until earlier this year) fish.
William R. Mason Regional Park – Opened in 1973, William R. Mason Park is a popular spot for residents to relax or spend time with their families. The park is home to an artificial lake, a wilderness area, large grass fields, and some of the best hiking trails in Orange County.
Orange County Zoo – The Orange County Zoo is a small, 8-acre zoo located in the center of the Irvine Regional Park. The zoo is mainly home to animals that can be found in Southern California and other areas of the Southwestern United States.
Popular Local Restaurants
Bistango – Modern American Cuisine
Il Fornaio Irvine – Classic Italian Cuisine
Houston’s Restaurant – Classic American Cuisine
California Fish Grill – Coastal Cuisine
Nearby Schools
Canyon View Elementary School
Bonita Canyon Elementary School
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School
Woodbridge High School
Northwood High School
Irvine High School
University High School
Concordia University
University of California, Irvine
Irvine Real Estate Market: The median home value in Irvine is approximately $724,100 (as of October 2016), with a price per square foot of approximately $447. This is slightly higher than the average price per square foot of $389 for the rest of the Long Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Metro area. The current housing market in the city is neutral with a subtle rise the past year. Since 2015, home values have risen 2.2%. Movement is expected to plateau in the next year with a forecasted rise of just 0.2% before October of 2017.
Irvine Rental Market: The average rent in Irvine of $2,900 is the exact same as the average rent of $2,900 for the rest of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Metro area.
Zillow.com
Demographics and More
Zip Codes: 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92616, 92617, 92618, 92619, 92620, 92623, 92697
Population: Irvine is the third largest city in Orange County and 15th largest in California. The population is 212,375 as of the last available census. The median age of residents is 34.8 years old. 47.9% of residents are male while 52.1% of residents are female.
Climate: Irvine is located slightly inland in central Orange County and typically has a semi-arid climate. In addition, there is very little change in temperature throughout the year. The coastal location causes warmer winter temperatures and cooler summer temperatures than inland cities.
WeatherSpark.com
Crime: The overall crime rate in Irvine is 46% lower than the national average. Additionally, the city is safer than approximately 77% of the cities in California. Safety has become a matter of discussion in the city as the number of crimes has increased by 19% from the previous year.
Demographics:
50.8% White
38.9% Asian
7.0% Hispanic
2.1% African American
Incorporated Date: December 28, 1971
