Let's use the $888,000 price point and compare:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Trabuco-Canyon/24232-Fairway-Ln-92679/home/5057701
1990's vintage home, 3 car garage with view. 2400 SF May have to hide from the golf balls. I know I could hit the house, noooo problemo.
4.25% with 25% down, it's $4,450 ( +/- ) per month.
Compared to:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/113-Lamplighter-92620/home/7201465
It's $10k more. 2200 SF. I couldn't find any $888,000 priced homes in Irvine 92620 or 92618.
$4,750 ( +/- ) due to price, HOA, and Mello Roos.
Out in Coto, you'd have to put your kids into Santa Margarita Catholic to get an education at or above most of Irvine's schools. Tesoro is a pretty good school from what I've been told.
The Soylent family lives not far from Coto. It takes 20 min to get to most of Irvine, about a half hour to JWA. One thing you'll notice right away: there is a continuous hummmmmmmm of traffic in Irvine since you've got the 405 and 5 so close by. You'll be surprised just how quiet Coto is. That alone may be worth the drive.
My .20c