Real estate in North Orange County (N.O.C.) California rates extremely high according to our on a our value scale. For a more in depth discussion on the components that make up our rating system please see the first section of our article on Orange County Real Estate’s Top 5 Keys to Location. N.O.C. is known for many things including its warm temperate climate, established communities, trendy redevelopment areas, large property lots, and close proximity to multiple areas of commerce. In a nutshell, North Orange County real estate has a little something for almost everybody, and this guide will quickly get one up to speed on what they need to know.
The Buzz – No Longer A Sleepy Community
NOC’s most exciting news on the retail, service, entertainment, and professional fronts has been the emergence of at least two distinct redevelopment areas. Downtown Fullerton and Brea Downtown have revitalized entire communities and created a vibrant metropolitan canvas for many growing businesses in these sectors. Demand is high for office space in the areas and the immense success of these bohemian marvels has prompted neighboring communities to encourage a cultural renaissance of their own.
Want to see for yourself? Try driving down Harbor Boulevard between Commonwealth and Chapman after 9 or 10pm on a warm Friday night. Many longtime Fullerton residents are still in disbelief, as it can look more like a trendy L.A. club scene than something you expect to find in Orange County.
Daytime hours till about 9 p.m. or so are a completely different story. This scenario lends itself closer in resemblance to Rodeo Drive. Numerous boutiques, salons, shops, and restaurants are turning these areas into “walking communities” as shoppers browse, buy, or just hang out and enjoy the mild weather and charming ambiance.
In addition to Brea’s downtown community, the upscale Brea Mall has always been a favorite place for Southern Californians to spend their money. Multiple restaurants, both chain and independent, give shoppers plenty to do after the mall closes. Whether it’s your thing or not, the exciting buzz of these communities is here to stay and is doing nothing but help keep North Orange County homes a hot commodity.
Schools – National And Global Recognition
As far as education goes, N.O.C. schools are some of the countries best. The largest of these schools is Cal State University of Fullerton boasting a student enrollment of over 35,000 and paid faculty of nearly 2,000 people. Two of the state’s top rated high schools are also NOC residents . Sunny Hills High School and Troy High School in Fullerton along with Brea Olinda High School in Brea are having positive effect on real estate within their respective districts. In addition to these schools gaining respect on an international basis, a wide variety of other local schools are also providing excellent job opportunities for students, teachers, and administrators.
A strong school system has become a major attractant to families looking at homes for sale in Orange County. Therefore, this is yet another important factor that has a positive effect not only on the desirability but ultimately the value of North Orange County real estate.
Hospitals – The Emergence Of Large Scale Medical Centers
Industry paradigm shifts and a commitment to people have brought St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton to emerge as one of the nation’s most thriving hospitals. Plans are already under way for expansion and what started as a small community hospital is becoming a top-ranking, full-service, non-profit medical center.
With several major hospitals unable to maintain financial solvency, the pressure has been on St. Jude Medical Center to accommodate not only their own growing demand, but also that of their bankrupt neighbors. Not only has this resulted in the rapid expansion of St. Jude, but it has also sparked many ancillary and private medical service providers to operate within this booming medical “community.” Obviously, the effect on real estate in the surrounding areas has been nothing short of spectacular!
Commerce – A Natural Hub with Solid Fundamentals
In addition to being one of the closest portions of Orange County to major commerce areas like Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Central Orange County, N.O.C. also has a diverse and thriving economy of its own. Many locals choose to work close to home, as there is opportunity in a variety of industries.
Whether your business or work can be categorized as service sector, retail, manufacturing, warehousing, small business, medical, educational, professional, or entertainment, North Orange County has a fit for many people within it or one of its surrounding communities.
Views – City, Hillside, Mountain, and even Ocean
One of the biggest assets to North County is its wide array of view property available. Whether you prefer mountain views to the east, the city lights to the southwest, rolling sagebrush hills, or even the ocean, there is probably more than one view in N.O.C. that will take your breath away.
The only reason this area did not get a 5-star rating is because this title is reserved for ocean view property where spectators can actually see boats and/or people on the water. Still, North Orange County real estate is blessed with some of the most fantastic view property in the nation that will please a wide variety of tastes.
Most N.O.C. view lots will be found in the cities of Fullerton, Brea, and Yorba Linda although La Habra and Buena Parkoffersome stellar lots as well. Location specific sites about Real Estate in Fullerton Californiacan help you learn about these unique areas offering view property while others sites geared towards Orange County Homes For Sale can help you find that perfect place in those areas.
Commute And Transportation – Centrally Located But Expect Some Traffic
As the northern border of The O.C., much of North Orange County is the closest part of the county to Downtown Los Angeles. A few of its cities actually border Los Angeles County and the commute to Downtown is generally shortest from these areas. On the other side of N.O.C. is Orange County’s closest border to the Inland Empire.
The 91 Freeway is generally the main traffic artery for those traveling west to Los Angeles or east to the Inland Empire. Commuters should expect heavy traffic heading either direction during rush hour and can expect drives of one hour or more to reach Downtown Los Angeles and much of the Inland Empire.
For commutes to Central, South, and West Orange County as well as the western portion of the Inland Empire, the 57 Freeway is one of the most common routes. Rush hour traffic is generally heavy heading to and from the Central, South, and West Orange County areas while it is lighter heading to and from the Inland Empire. Commutes of one hour or more to the furthest portions of South Orange County are not uncommon during rush hour.
Proximity To Water -An Easy Drive, A Good Bike Ride, or A Very Long Walk
Averaging a short 18 miles from the coast, real estate in North Orange County is certainly, in general terms, “close to the water.” However, it is by no means coastal or beach property. If you absolutely must be able to hit the surf or jog the beach before work, and you can afford to do so, a home for sale in N.O.C. may not be ideal.
If on the other hand you’d like to be close enough to be able to take the kids to the beach on the weekend, and you’d rather not deal with waking up to the gray overcast mornings typical along the coast, then the warmer inland climate of North County will probably be perfect.
There are numerous beaches and coastal communities accessible to this area. The closest and most accessible is probably the Huntington Beach and Newport Beach areas. A little further to the south is Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, and Dana Point. The point here is that there are lots of choices, and lots of choices with regards to nearby coastal destinations ultimately equals the potential for a great location.
Ready For The Next Step?
If your excited to learn more, the first step is to investigate our North Orange County Real Estate site for our reviews of local cities and neighborhoods as well as the best tools available for finding, buying, or just tracking real estate in North Orange County. If you would like to learn more about real estate in other parts of the O.C., you’ll find our Orange County California Real Estate page to be priceless. Good luck with whatever path you choose!
About the Author:
Todd Foust is the chief marketing executive for the FOUST Team at C21 Discovery; one of the top-selling real estate teams in Southern California. He specializes in Orange and Los Angeles Counties and operates one of the area’s most informative real estate websites. To contact him or learn more about Orange County real estate, please visit www.FOUSTonline.com.
