Nice, clean, but very expensive and somewhat bland
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10/5/2022
I've lived in Irvine for 2 years and in Orange County for 10 so I'm pretty familiar with the area by now and all it has to offer. Perhaps my review of this place has more to do with my situation and what I have been looking for rather than what someone else (for example a young family with 2-3 kids) might be looking for
PROS:
Very very very clean and beautiful landscaping
Safe
Great public schools
Close by to a lot of freeways
Biking/hiking areas
CONS:
Expensive as hell - almost as bad as the nicest areas of LA
The city feels extremely corporate and somewhat "soul-less". Because most everything is owned by the same company the city's architecture is very "cookie-cutter" and everything looks the same.
Almost zero nightlife. And I mean zero. Which is extremely surprising considering there is a huge university in the city along with other smaller colleges. No corner bar, no clubs. No main area of town with nightlife. Just outdoor shopping malls. There is one brewery.. but that's about it.
The weather is hot most of the year. So if you're used to 4 seasons or even getting a substantial amount of cool weather, you'll be disappointed. I'd say it's 75 and sunny and above for most of the year. 85-90 degree days last well into October and sometimes even November and return in March.
Brian | Santa Monica, CA