Once you’ve made the decision to move to Orange County, your next task is to research and settle on the best neighborhood. Fortunately, you have a lot of options. Here are some of the top places to live in Orange County when it comes to quality of life.

Whether you’re relocating for a new job, or you want to move closer to the in-laws, you’ll need a reputable mover to get you there. To enjoy the highest quality of life, here are some great communities within Orange County you may want to move to.

1.  Irvine, CA

Located in northern Orange County, California, Irvine borders Newport Beach, Tustin, and Santa Ana. As one of the most desirable places to live in California, people of all ages choose to move to Irvine for work, school and retirement. It features excellent school districts too. In fact, Irvine was ranked by Money magazine as one of the best places to live in 2019.

It’s consistently being ranked #1 for quality of life in the U.S., and for good reason. Irvine is a safe place to raise kids, and there are lots of walk-able or bikable neighborhoods. And with plenty of parks for residents of all ages, you won’t run out of things to do.

2.  Huntington Beach, CA

At the heart of Orange County is Huntington Beach. With its distinct bohemian vibe, this city is known for its surfing and laid-back lifestyle. If you love the beach, you’ll love it here. Be sure to check out the many local events, farmers’ markets and festivals taking place here year round.

Surf culture is huge here. Grab a bite to eat, browse the local shops on Main Street, and catch some killer waves. The schools here get top marks from Great Schools, and the area is one of the safest in the whole county. Huntington Beach is also business-friendly and plays host to many large corporations and Fortune 500 companies.

3.  Dana Point, CA

A combination of artsy and beachy culture, Dana Point is certainly unique. With excellent schools, a vibrant arts scene, scenic beaches, and plenty of green spaces, you can’t do better than the charm of Dana Point. Nestled in the south of Orange County, Dana Point has one of the top school districts in all of Orange County, which makes it an ideal place to raise a family.

The cost of living is reasonable, a big selling point for young families. This friendly and welcoming town offers many pretty parks and beaches, as well as eclectic restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. It’s more economically-diverse than other cities in the county, with many companies calling it home, specializing in anything from defense to technology. You won’t have trouble finding a job here to sustain you.

4.  Laguna Beach, CA

This coastal city in southern Orange County features a laid-back lifestyle, beautiful beach, and lots of parks and year-round activities.

Laguna was recently rated one of the top school districts in the nation by Niche. Its natural beauty draws many residents and visitors alike. Don’t miss its beautiful beach front, bustling downtown and tranquil harbor. The economy is diversified, featuring strong corporate jobs and many Fortune 500 companies basing their headquarters here.

5.  Irvine Company Town

This is an independent incorporated city sharing its borders with Irvine city proper. This vibrant community was founded as a planned community back in 1971. With plenty of parks and recreational areas, you will be happy to know it’s located only 13 miles from the beach.

There are many places of worship here, such as First Presbyterian Church of Irvine, Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, and Irvine United Methodist Church – all historical landmarks. The school district of Irvine Company Town is known as a five-star public school, with elementary schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to grade six, as well as several high schools.

The Private School is included in the California Education Association’s charter school movement, while The Ranch’s private schools have been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or WASC for short.

6.  Santa Ana, CA

This is Orange County’s largest city and is located in the middle of the county. Major recent revitalizations have brought lots of new business investments and developments to this diverse community. Big businesses and high-tech companies call Santa Ana home, particularly strong with the under-40 educated working crowd.

The unemployment rate is lower than the national average, and the cost of living is decent too — lower than the state average. With so many pretty parks and open spaces to enjoy, there is always something to partake in. It has great schools as well as lots of wellness options, and a very stable local economy. As one of the warmest cities in Orange County, Santa Ana also has an excellent air quality rating due to Southern CA’s clean air rules.

7.  San Clemente, CA

This incredible coastal city perched in southern Orange County boasts an amazing beach and a laid-back lifestyle to go with it. San Clemente’s school district was recently rated as one of the top in the country by Niche.

The weather here is warmer and drier than other Orange County cities, which means it makes for a great year-round destination. Its sunny year-round climate has given San Clemente the nickname “Surf City USA”. If you love to surf, you’ll love the fact that the beaches here host several surf competitions all year long.

No matter where you choose to move in Orange County, you are sure to be happy!

Contact Move Central

Ready to move to Orange County in any of the above communities? We can get you there, bringing our vast expertise and experience in handing moves of all kinds within Orange County. Get your free quote from Move Central when you call 866-305-3919.