Where is the Best Place to Live in Orange County?

If you ask a handful of people for their ideal living conditions, you’re bound to get a handful of different answers. The truth is, there is no one perfect place to live that will live up to everybody’s expectations. Some people like a big and busy city, some people prefer quiet nature spots. Some people prefer to be near big and famous festivals, and some would rather keep the action at bay. Luckily, whatever your preferences might be, Orange County has a little bit of everything to offer.

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, countless outdoor activities, a great shopping scene, some world-class food culture, perfect weather, and big cities like LA and San Diego nearby. The most difficult part about deciding to live in Orange County is deciding where in Orange County you’ll feel most at home. Here are some suggestions of the best place to live in Orange County, for your consideration.

Newport Beach

It’s no wonder that Newport Beach is often cited as the best Orange County has to offer. If your dream city is a beachside paradise, Newport has more than plenty to offer. Newport Harbor, the Balboa Peninsula, and the two local piers offer some beautiful views and great afternoons in the ocean breeze.

The job market in Newport Beach is a strong one for people living in the city and nearby, with great opportunities for individuals in healthcare, accommodation and food services, and finance. The city is also home to many top-rated schools, which makes it an attractive prospect for families who love the beach life. The cost of living in Newport isn’t for everyone, however, and it’s certainly something to take into consideration. The median home value lies around $2 million, while the median rent is easily upwards of $2000. Paradise comes at a cost, after all.

Irvine

Not to be outdone, Irvine is regularly considered one of the most popular and attractive places to live in Orange County for a variety of reasons. The exciting and bustling economy is one of the shining benefits of the city, with a strong presence from entertainment giants like Blizzard Entertainment, Google, and Amazon.

A top-notch school system is another great benefit as well as, of course, prestigious institutions like the University of California, Irvine, and the OC Center of the University of Southern California. Irvine has also been considered the safest big city in the country for nearly a decade which, all things considered, makes it a very popular location for single families.

Laguna Beach

It might be easy to write off every Orange County city as a beachside paradise—which isn’t a bad thing, don’t get us wrong—but if you’re looking for a bit of a different vibe, Laguna Beach might be the right spot for you. The city has an undeniably artistic vibe, and is a bit less flashy when it comes to showing off net worth. Although you might consider it a seaside resort town, it somehow still manages to feel like a suburb, somewhat more unassuming than its coastal neighbors.

The small-town feel mixed with the artist and entrepreneur population tends to make for interesting and refreshing interactions and relationships that you might not find in other parts of Orange County. The unassuming vibe won’t mean that it doesn’t cost a pretty penny to become a resident, however. Cost of living rivals that of Newport Beach.

We consider these to be some of the best spots for settling down in Orange County that might meet a variety of standards and preferences. From the lifelong sailor to the modest successful artist, there’s a little something for everyone at Orange County. Wherever you end up, we’re happy to see you considering one of our favorite places in the world. Hope to see you here soon!

Want to learn some more cool stuff about Orange County? Check out this great post on the best beaches in the OC.

Ready to take the next step and start a business here? (We love talking about business, see below for why.) Check this post with 7 important steps to consider when starting a business – in Orange County or elsewhere.

Orange County is full of entrepreneurs that run small and large businesses – and we’re here to help them. Who are we? We’re My OC Bookkeeper. Southern California’s premier bookkeeping and business consulting firm. Check us out if you need help with bookkeeping, accounting, or general business support.

Want another opinion on where to live in the OC? Take a look at the video below to see what some of our best local realtors think.