Top Reasons to Move to Irvine, CA
By Sean Creamer on February 24, 2024
California is a beautiful state offering some of the best homes set against stunning vistas.
From sprawling cities to sleepy beachside communities, there is a town to fit every lifestyle. That is why figuring out where to place your roots in the Golden State is easier said than done. It all comes down to what you like to do, where you spend your free time, and where you hang your hat for work.
That is why the team at Prevu Real Estate decided to write about one of the SoCal cities that has it all - Irvine, CA. The Santa Ana Mountains frame the skyline of this booming start-up and tech hub.
Below are some of the top reasons buyers seek out properties in this OC staple.
A city nestled in nature
One of the more alluring reasons to move to Southern California is the scenery. From soaring mountaintops to sandy beaches, there is a slice of nature for everyone.
Yet what sets Irvine apart from other SoCal cities is how easy it is to access nature. To the north of Irvine, the Santa Ana Mountains provide plenty of hiking in the foothills of Loma Ridge and Limestone Canyon Regional Park. Other popular spots to the south are Crystal Cove State Park, where people explore the El Moro Canyon Trail or take in the sights of the ocean from the Pacific Ridge Trail.
Most homes in Irvine are in master-planned communities, with spacious backyards perfect for basking in the temperate climate. It is common to find a park within a few blocks, although buyers can find homes built directly into the landscape. Homes on Turtle Rock have great views of the city and provide locals with access to popular trails like Bommer Canyon.
One of the best ways to take in the beauty of Irvine is at the Orange County Great Park, where people can take a ride in a tethered hot air balloon to get a 360-degree view of the city.
While nature remains timeless in Irvine, what has changed is the city skyline as more businesses call the city home.
Bustling tech culture
Many people think of downtown Santa Monica or downtown LA when it comes to commerce.
But many homebuyers target Irvine because the city has over 15,000 businesses in the area. Many Fortune 500 companies have offices and corporate headquarters in Irvine, and most workers live nearby in the suburbs. And companies want to set up shop in Irvine because of the talent coming from the nearby University of California Irvine campus.
The best and brightest from around the country come out of these hallowed halls. That is why companies like Deloitte, Amazon, Infosys, and PwC have regional offices in the city near the Irvine Business Complex. There is a burgeoning start-up culture in Irvine, as the UC Irvine campus acts as an incubator for many start-ups that end up taking root in the region.
To help get these fledgling businesses off the ground, the City of Irvine recently opened a co-working space near the university called The Vine. At over 60,000 square feet, the offices encourage networking and innovation, creating a launchpad for the next generation of American enterprise. Beyond corporate work, there are plenty of jobs in Irvine, and many UC Irvine students work part-time at the nearby Irvine Spectrum Center.
This mecca of commerce is where Irvine residents can find a confluence of high-profile dining and luxury shopping.
Great shopping and dining
Part of the allure of Irvine is the lack of a centralized downtown. Developers designed the neighborhoods to share commercial areas serving residents with small-town shopping and dining.
For instance, near Hicks Canyon Park is the Northpark Plaza, centrally located so multiple communities can get groceries and a bite out on the town. Over the years, shopping priorities changed, and developers saw a need for a centralized shopping center in Irvine. Now, if you wandered to the southeastern edge of Irvine, near Lake Forest, you would find the iconic Giant Wheel Ferris Wheel standing tall above the Irvine Spectrum Center.
This sprawling campus took ten years to fully complete, comprising over 1.2 million square feet with more than 130 stores to frequent. This is where big-box retailers like Apple, Target, and Nordstrom have massive storefronts next to boutique chocolatiers and upscale chain restaurants like P.F. Chang's.
But like many fine things in life, the best of Irvine is off the beaten path. Many locals like to head out to Zov's Irvine, a high-dining Mediterranean restaurant that sits in the shadow of the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains.
Like many other restaurants in Irvine, the eatery is in a shopping center, so diners have plenty of choices beyond fine dining if they're out for a day in Orange County.
Near some of the best beaches in California
Some people live for the feeling of wind sweeping through their hair as they climb the scrub-sided trails of Orange County.
Other people seek the ocean, looking for a splash of saltwater in the warm Pacific waters. Beachgoers can take the 55 down past Crystal Cove State Park to Newport Beach or take the scenic route and traipse down Newport Coast Drive from the 73.
Newport Beach provides plenty of opportunities to lounge on the beach, hang out bayside at a restaurant, or head to Balboa or Lido Island to stroll along the waterfront. Some Irvine residents even dock their boats in Newport Bay to go deep-sea fishing in the Pacific. On the other side of Crystal Cove State Park is the secluded Laguna Beach.
This surfside community is known for its hidden coves and pristine beaches. Irvine residents can drive down the scenic 133 highway to reach this coastal enclave.
Most beaches are off the North Coast Highway, where Laguna locals dine and shop downtown.
Easy commuting throughout SoCal
Irvine has existed since the late 1880s, but it was not fully incorporated as a city until the early 1970s.
Developers laid out plans for a master-planned metropolis to avoid the congestion issues experienced in nearby Los Angeles to the north. Wide corridors crisscross Irvine, creating an easy-to-navigate grid making travel a breeze.
What also helps keep traffic at a minimum is the Traffic Research and Control Center. By investing in cameras and sensors at traffic lights and along busy roads, the city can keep the streets free of traffic.
But Irvine has plenty of options when it comes to getting around the rest of SoCal. Several major highways surround the city. The 241 runs along the northern border, while the 405 to the south can take locals to the 5, which runs to other OC towns like Dana Point and San Clemente.
