There is so much more to Orange County than just beautiful beaches, famous housewives and Disneyland Park! Located between the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the population of Orange County CA is 3.17 million makes it the third-most populous county in California, and the sixth most populous in America. From sunny weather to shopping, beaches, or recreation, if you’re thinking about living in Orange County, this is an area that has something for everyone.
From coastal areas with beach cities like Laguna Beach and suburbs like Crystal Cove where you will find billionaires and residents who live very opulent lives, to the inland areas where you will find suburban sprawl and a more modest middle-class laid-back lifestyle. Orange County has become one of the most premier residential locations and tourist destinations of Southern California
If you’re thinking about a move to this Southern California location, we put together a list of ten key things to know about living in Orange County.
1. Orange County Oranges
If you’re looking for some of the best oranges in the country, then Orange County is for you. Oranges in the area are plentiful. Many locations in Orange County are known for having tree-lined streets with oranges. Make sure to take advantage of having this fresh fruit nearby and make some fresh-squeezed orange juice for breakfast if you move here. Then you can tell your family and friends back home how you had fresh squeezed orange juice with oranges from a local tree for breakfast!
2. Great Spot for Filmmakers
If you’re walking down the street in Orange County you might see some tv and movie productions being filmed here and often even large film productions! You never know what show or movie you’ll wind up seeing and even being and accidental extra in if that interests you.
3. Has Its Own Zoo
If you’re looking for fun things to do with the kids in Orange County besides Disneyland, then you can take them to the local zoo. It’s a small zoo but you can still enjoy your children learning all about bears, bald eagles, mountains lions, and many more animals. Don’t forget to go there for Halloween. They have different events for children and adults including scavenger hunts, trick or treat, and animal crafts.
4. Low Crime Rate
Cities such as Orange, CA have a low crime rate with only a 1 in 46 chance of falling victim to a crime. Many cities in Orange County have low crime rate especially compared to other major cities in California. CA Flat Fee, a flat fee realtor in California, notes that because of the low crime rates, Orange County is a very safe place for families to live, especially for those with young children.
5. Disneyland
What’s not to love about Disneyland? You and your family can check out Disneyland which is located in Anaheim. You can even purchase annual tickets if you’re a local which is a much more affordable option. There’s so much to love about Disneyland, it’s a place you and your family can go to year-round, whether you like roller coasters or more gentle rides, there’s something for everyone!
6. Beaches and Parks
If you’re a fan of the beach you’re in luck. Orange County actually has over 42 miles of beaches. They’re so many beach towns to choose from including Huntington Beach for surfing and Crystal Cove for tidepools and history. If you want to get away from the city and go to one of the places to see in Orange County, they’re many wilderness parks to choose from. Make sure to check O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon. It’s one of the parks that is very undeveloped. You’ll find heavily wooded areas with cacti, shrub oaks, sycamore trees, and much more.
7. Art and History
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Orange County, there’s plenty of art and history to see. You can head to the History District where they’re many historic buildings that date back more than a century ago. You can also check out the Fine Arts Gallery on Glassell. If you love art, you can check out the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. It’s actually not too far of a drive from Orange, CA. You can enjoy hundreds of musicals, plays, and concerts there. They’re plenty of operas, museums, and theatres to check out in Orange County as well.
8. Great Weather
Did you know that Orange County CA experiences 278 sunny days a year? You’ll also rarely be too hot or too cold with temperatures ranging from 44-81.5 degrees. Perfect weather for a stroll around town, a hike at a local park, or surfing at the beach!
9. Excellent Education System
If you want to make sure your children are in some of the best schools, then living in Orange County could be the perfect location for your family. Whether it’s grade school or college, there’s something for everyone such as Chapman University which is located in Orange County CA. They specialize in film, law, business, and the arts. It’s a safe environment, that college kids and children alike can feel comfortable walking around in the city.
10. Great Houses
Whether you’re looking for a modest family-friendly home in a beautiful area with a small-town feel or a luxury home with a view of a beach, Orange County has it. Orange County is a very popular area, and as such the housing market is competitive, but it’s still possible to find a great place to live for you and your family with the help of a local realtor. So once you buy that perfect California dream home, you can get started with your new lifestyle and celebrate with a house warming soiree with OC Style catering.
