Back yards

J

joeldo_IHB

New member
As the result of a company transfer, I may be moving to Irvine. When I'm looking at google earth, it seems like the backyards in Irvine are extremely tiny, at least compared to what I'm used to in my large midwestern city.



Is this typical of California, or specific to Irvine?



Where do kids play catch with their dads? Where does the dog run around? Just seems weird to me.



Also, what is the "typical" house in Irvine? E.g., typical house where I am is a 1 1/2 story post-war bungalo, unfinished garage, small kitchen, with detached garage.



Finally, other than craigslist, any recommendations on finding detached house rentals in Irvine?



Thanks for being nice to the newbie.
 
What backyard?



As a kid I grew up in a townhome here in O.C. We used to play on the greenbelts throughout the complex. Even those are disappearing now.



An older home, or an expensive new one, might have a small front lawn. You could try aiming for a home on a cul-de-sac for a safe, kid-friendly spot in which to play.



All of the newer Irvine communities, and many of the older ones, have small parks within walking distance.



Good luck.
 
[quote author="joeldo" date=1226522127]As the result of a company transfer, I may be moving to Irvine. When I'm looking at google earth, it seems like the backyards in Irvine are extremely tiny, at least compared to what I'm used to in my large midwestern city.



Is this typical of California, or specific to Irvine?



Where do kids play catch with their dads? Where does the dog run around? Just seems weird to me.



Also, what is the "typical" house in Irvine? E.g., typical house where I am is a 1 1/2 story post-war bungalo, unfinished garage, small kitchen, with detached garage.



Finally, other than craigslist, any recommendations on finding detached house rentals in Irvine?



Thanks for being nice to the newbie.</blockquote>


If you want a yard, skip Irvine and go to nearby North Tustin. Most lots there range from 7,000 to 11,000 sq. feet. In Irvine, the newer homes are between 3,000 and 5,000. Most of the North Tustin neighborhoods feed into very good schools.
 
Thanks for the tip. Problem is, I'm a stubbord bike commuter who doesn't want a 20 mile round trip, which is what Tustin will give me.
 
Stubborn, but not too stubborn. And my bike commutes have been in some COLD and snowy places, so perhaps a longer bike commute in sunny SoCal will be a nicer experience.



Where is University Park?
 
When you said "bike" I thought you meant motorcycle. But you literally mean "bicycle"?



The area closest to your new workplace that has larger lots would be that older part of Lake Forest there so you could check that out.
 
[quote author="joeldo" date=1226537519]Stubborn, but not too stubborn. And my bike commutes have been in some COLD and snowy places, so perhaps a longer bike commute in sunny SoCal will be a nicer experience.</blockquote>
Have you checked out the <a href="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/forums/viewthread/2045/">biking thread?</a>
 
[quote author="joeldo" date=1226522127]As the result of a company transfer, I may be moving to Irvine. When I'm looking at google earth, it seems like the backyards in Irvine are extremely tiny, at least compared to what I'm used to in my large midwestern city.



Is this typical of California, or specific to Irvine?



Where do kids play catch with their dads? Where does the dog run around? Just seems weird to me.

</blockquote>


Have a look around Quail Hill area. Check out the hiking area by the fire station, and the park across the street.



Here we reduce individual lot size and use "community" parks. We're good socialists.



Personally I've never figured out why so many people want to emulate the wealth estates with their tiny front yards growing flat-grass vegetation of very little food value.



If I had a giant front yard, I'd probably grow potato or design some interesting looking crop circles.



<img src="http://www.aliencrossing.com/images/crop_circles_400.jpg" alt="" />
 
We lived in San Diego with dogs but before kids, so we did spend a ton of time in local parks. Now in the midwest land of large backyards and with kids, however, we often send the kids out in the yard to get rid of them for awhile. Perhaps not having a yard will make me a better parent...
 
Your new office is very close to the Irvine train station. Would you consider biking to a train station, getting off in Irvine and then biking to the office? If so, take a look at the Amtrak route. You'll find the larger lots in the older communities.



BTW, lawn clippings are very easy to compost. And a yard doesn't have to be compromised mostly of grass.
 
I bike 1-2 days, 12.5 mi ea way. It is much, much different than biking in the midwest and NE. 20 miles ea way is a pleasant hour/1.5h ride. all year round, minus maybe 10 days for too hot, and 10 days for rain.



If you are OK with 20 miles, you are in luck, since there is a bike path that goes to your work (check out the OC bike map pdf http://www.octa.net/bikeways_map.aspx

http://www.octa.net/uploadedfiles/bike4.pdf --see the purple bike only pathways)



20 mi puts you in range for Tustin, Newport, Costa Mesa, Huntington, as well as Lake Forest and MV, all of which have big lots, 7k-10k sf



Happy biking
 
If you're ok with using local parks instead of your own backyard, Oak Creek is a nice little community that wouldn't be too far of a ride either.



I believe Oak Creek is located boxed in between Irvine Center Drive and Alton; Sand Canyon and Culver. I think mostly off of Valley Oak...
 
Look again at google maps...



Everything in Irvine is 5 minutes walking distance to a park. They are everywhere, so don't worry, you'll be able to play catch and let the dog roam around. It's just not in your back yard. Life has trade offs but don't fret about open space because Irvine is much much better than any other city around here in regards to open space. There are nature preserves and parks everywhere, just compare Irvine on google maps to any other city around it.
 
Consider the concordia tract in turtle rock. I purposed looked for a place with a large backyard and you have them there. Also, you can play with your dog or kids at concordia college literally behind your backyard in large grassy lawns, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
 
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