Thinking of Moving to Orange County or Sonoma County,Ca-opinions on Areas Needed

I grew up in Orange County. I just moved to VA a year and a half ago. I love the beach. I lived in San Clemente and Dana Point. I really REALLY miss it right now. It's beautiful and the weather is great. BUT I wanted to move away from it for a reason. It's very expensive. The public schools are terrible and way over crowded and the people are very into themselves, spoiled and stuck up snobs. Not everyone there is, but a lot of the people are. It wasn't a place where I wanted my kids to grow up in.
Yes, it's a beautiful area and if you love the beach, then it's even better! But, for me, it ended up being more bad things there than good.
I don't know anything about Sonoma County

Those are TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT AREAS!!!

Orange County is VERY expensive as is Sonoma County.

When I think of Orange County, CA - I don't think of Irvine, I think of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, etc.

Sonoma is wine country and beach....

Leaving Palm Desert, Tehachapi, Lancaster and Apple Valley - wow - that's a HUGE change. Like night and day.

I guess it would help if you would tell us what you are looking for. Redlands is nice. I like Alta Loma, Upland and North Rialto better than Redlands. When I lived there is was much like Lancaster/Palmdale....not high desert but I think you know what I mean.

Not sure what you are thinking of spending on way of a house and how big of a house you want. I know in Sonoma and Orange it will be EXPENSIVE for 1500 sq ft - like $800K or more.

Good luck!!

I've lived in both places, and I prefer Sonoma County, due to its diversity, art scene, proximity to San Francisco, and liberal/eclectic tendencies. Orange county is much less diverse, and fairly conservative, and kind of bland, in my opinion. But if you are a beach lover, San Clemente is a beautiful beach town, and you can't beat the weather. Both areas are still relatively expensive.

If you need any further info., p.m. me, as I've lived a decade in each place.

We lived in Mission Viejo for 16 years and left 10 years ago. I go back at least a couple times a year. MV was a great place to raise kids. Lots of parks, good libraries, quiet safe neighborhoods. We lived at the beach, MV lake and the ymca pools. The weather was good and even tho our house and lot were small, the space was sufficient because we were outdoors so much. I used to work in Irvine and that area has gotten built up since we left. But further south still feels the same when I'm down there. We had Doheny Beach almost all to ourselves over Christmas vacation and the temps were in the 70's. Ah, makes me want to move back!

I love Orange County! I grew up in Irvine, went to LA for college + 10 more years, and moved back to Irvine 3 years ago. It is such an awesome place to raise kids. There are parks everywhere, all the stores you could ever possibly need, and you are within easy driving distance of the beach, the mountains, the desert, LA, and San Diego. John Wayne and Long Beach airports are convenient and so much easier than LAX.

I very much prefer Irvine and South County over other parts of OC, but I know a lot of moms who are also really happy in the Brea/Fullerton area, as well as Huntington Beach.

I don't know anything about Sonoma County, but I think OC is perfect for a family.

I live in Orange County, Huntington Beach. I love it because it's close to the beach, mountains, everything is pretty much within 2 hours. The job market is getting better, but still limited and competitive. Housing is still expensive, although interest rates are low, compared to other areas, it's still very expensive. Traffic sucks on pretty much every freeway, and the people can be rude and snotty. With that being said, I still love it. There are some great school districts and there are nice people and great neighborhoods. Irvine has some great new housing and the best school districts.

I have lived in Redlands and Orange county beach cities, I have also lived in the desert (phoenix and Havasu) as well as the Pacific Northwest (both Oregon and Washington, including the city, the country and the suburbs).

What do you want to know? I love the beach cities of Orange County. There is a lot of money here and that comes with good and bad. Housing is still hell of expensive here, even with the crash. Nothing beats the weather, and the ocean breeze sends the smog to the Inland Empire. I'm not mixed up in the New Port Beach, housewives, materialistic, fake boob, fake tan craze. My circle of friends and most everyone I run into are not like those stereotypes either.

Redlands is inland. The Inland Empire is booty, hot, and full of smog. But Redlands is like a little oasis in all that. It has a small town feel, a wonderful historic downtown. Several great restaurants. But if you want to shop or go to the beach you will sit in one of the worlds worst bottlenecks in the nation on the 91 freeway. You will want your work to be near Redlands because the commute to Orange County is horrible. And its not likely to improve due to the politics involved with the toll roads.

I live in Sonoma county, Petaluma for 4 years. I moved here from out of state so I don't have a lot to compare it to in CA, but I'm happy to tell you what you want to know about the area currently, anything specific? PM me

ETA: the pricing in Sonoma county has come down considerably, my
friends just sold their 3br 2500 sq ft house for the mid 500s. there are options in all price ranges.