Irvine or Yorba Linda?

Hello,
I've lived here all my life ... both cities are very nice. However, I would choose Irvine over Yorba Linda in a heartbeat. Better schools, extremely safe, great for families, cooler in the summertime than Yorba Linda, closer to the ocean (we're ocean people ourselves). Remember to factor in where you and/or your husband work as far as the commute goes, as well. So much traffic these days and that certainly affects quality of life. Something else to consider are flight patterns over both houses. Trust me, my MIL lives in Tustin right under JWA's flight pattern and the continual plane noise is maddening. Well, that's my two cents ... good luck, neighbor! :)

4 moms found this helpful

I have a friend who lives in Yorba Linda and loves it. Although, I was told she was in a good school district. What makes the district the "worst" - drugs, crime, gangs? If it is something that can hurt your child then RUN! However, if it is the worst because they are just not a Blue Ribbon school, but an excelling school, then that would make me go for the house I love. We have moved a lot. I always look for the best schools and school districts all the way through HS. If you have to buy a nice house, but not your dream house to make sure your kids are safe and receive a good education, then that would be the route I would take.

Good luck in your decision!

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Have you looked at any homes in Laguna Niguel? They have houses with stables and award winning schools. Prices are comparable to those in Irvine.

However if I had to choose between the 2, it would be Irvine hands down. It has been considered for many years, one of the safest cities in California. Also you cannot beat the education and for me that is imperative. The high schools all have a 99% graduation rate.

Irvine has its own police station, many parks, large man made lakes, A LOT of community pools and it's extremely family oriented.

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I grew up in Irvine and, after 14 years in LA, I moved back here to raise my family. I really like it here and am very happy to be in a place with great schools, beautiful parks, nice neighborhoods, tons of shopping, etc.

We are about 10 minutes from Irvine Park, where there are horses (and I'm pretty sure that area of Irvine/Orange would also have stables where you could board your own horse if you wanted).

If you want to ask me any specific questions about Irvine, feel free to send me a private message.

Aside from the lack of stables, do you like the house itself in Irvine? I don't think it's worth it to live in a house you don't like just to be by a better school. Irvine has a lot of very nice houses, so if Irvine is what you want, you might want to look at some others. Also, I agree with the poster who said you should factor in your commute to and from work. Having a short commute is huge for quality of life.

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what's more important - a great school, or having a stable for your horse?

Write a list of pros and cons and consider driving time to work and grocerystore and how safe it would be if your kids went down the road to ride their bikes, etc.

I had some friends just move from Irvine to Yorba Linda, and he works for the school district there. They said that the school is good there. But what do I know? I live in Texas.

perhaps neither is the right place for you. Perhaps there is a third option you haven't seen yet. I say write your list of pros and cons considering what your children will be doing in the next 5-10 years that you'll likely own the house. If you can't decide, keep looking.

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Irvine and you are going to have a very tough time going to another school even interdistrict. You're probably not getting a straight answer from Yorba LInda because Irvine area is one of the top in the state for schools. (I've been looking into schools like crazy lately.) To me, education is huge, but others value day to day quality of life more.

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I would choose better school for my kids over a stable any day. But that's just me. I have friends who own horses and all I hear is how expensive it is. One friend moved to frazier park to find an affordable place that can accommodate their horses. We haven't seen them in a while.
I have lots of relatives in yorba linda and they all love it there. They put their kids in private school or home school the kids. One of the family is trying to sell their house (kid in college, downsizing). The house has been on the market over 6 months, no action. It'S. gorgeous house with great canyon views, 7 digit price tag.

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I am a grandma now but when I was a 9 year old I had a horse, a dream I had
Always had! I loved her...until she bucked me off and hurt my knee, it still hurts today. The experience was wonderful but it passed quickly when my interests changed.
The schools I attended have affected my whole life!
School shapes a person and gives them the education they need, hobbies are important when the school work is finished.
Priorities are lessons we teach out children...I'm so glad to see that you are looking at what's important first...their education, and being able to walk to school. May God bless you!

Good schools would be my first priority and choice.. you would live near horse communities.. Yorba Linda, Norco.. etc.. you can always get her a horse and have it boarded.. she could still belong to local horse associations... If she finds she really enjoys the all the work and care that having horses brings she can spend summers working in stables... all the while getting that top education you are seeking...

You could always get REALLY involved in the worse school. Sometimes a school is not really "bad" and if you are there all the time and get to know the Teachers and the going ons, you might feel better about it and more confident. Is private school an option? Or you could also do enrichment type activities...piano lessons, a tutor etc. to help.

Between those 2 choices, Irvine... hands down. Not only does Irvine seem to have a generally better reputation overall, but it is also associated with a large well-respected university. Just for resale value alone, I would pick Irvine.

My sister used to live in YL and I used to live in Irvine. I loved living in Woodbrige. Loved having parks, great walking paths, friendly neighbors, convenient shopping, and relatively quiet. And, yes, the schools are VERY good.

I live in the PYLUSD. i have no interest in changing schools, because i have one of the "good" ones. i wonder which school is your neighborhood school? I know many people that have had inter district transfers. But the time window is small. there are 2 a yr. the 1st one has passed. It is much hotter in YL than Irvine. Also, YL has more "old money" than Irvine. so, you get a snootier group. I live as far west in the district as you can get, so it is cooler here. but, do look at summer temps. Personally, i know this is weird, i hate beige stucco, so neither area works for me. I know!!!!!! Moving to the OC was weird for me. Any other q's you have about the district? shoot them my way.

ALso-look at school size. Irvine is known for being a great district, so many people fake an address to get their kids over there. and schools can be really crowded.