melodypowell
New member
I posted a while ago asking about where to buy, had some great input. We have narrowed it down to two areas: Turtle Rock/Ridge or TOW Laguna Beach. This forum seems to favor newer constructions, but we've toured a lot of model homes in North Irvine area since my last post and have decided they are not for us.
1. Most important thing to us is a very family oriented neighborhood. We want our kids to go to a neighborhood school and playing with neighboring kids. We have twin toddlers currently but may be adding one more in the future. I have driven through both neighborhoods quite a bit, Turtle rock has the most family friendly vibe. But I don't believe driving through can give me the most accurate picture either.
2. Max budget 2.75, target is 1.2-2ish. Need at least 4 rooms, prefer 5 bedrooms.
3. Great public schools are very important. My top preference now are TOW, Vista Verde, and Turtle Rock elementary. We would prefer to be within walkable distance to elementary school. High school is not a huge concern, we have rental homes zoned to Uni High, we can move or rebuild later.
4. Husband likes the ocean views in TOW, I want to be in close proximity to after school activities that are mostly in Central and North Irvine. But we do NOT want to live in North Irvine.
5. Commute is not an issue besides the fact I would probably would end up going to Irvine a lot.
I went through IUSD myself and did not find it super competitive, my husband went though Cypress school district. We are not sure how Laguna Beach district compared overall, it seems very impressive on paper. (I am Asian, husband is White)
I know we probably need additional insurance if we lived in TOW, not sure how much is landslide insurance etc and what extra things we need in general.
I would appreciate any comment on these elementary schools and neighborhood. If you were us, where would you choose to live and why?
1. Most important thing to us is a very family oriented neighborhood. We want our kids to go to a neighborhood school and playing with neighboring kids. We have twin toddlers currently but may be adding one more in the future. I have driven through both neighborhoods quite a bit, Turtle rock has the most family friendly vibe. But I don't believe driving through can give me the most accurate picture either.
2. Max budget 2.75, target is 1.2-2ish. Need at least 4 rooms, prefer 5 bedrooms.
3. Great public schools are very important. My top preference now are TOW, Vista Verde, and Turtle Rock elementary. We would prefer to be within walkable distance to elementary school. High school is not a huge concern, we have rental homes zoned to Uni High, we can move or rebuild later.
4. Husband likes the ocean views in TOW, I want to be in close proximity to after school activities that are mostly in Central and North Irvine. But we do NOT want to live in North Irvine.
5. Commute is not an issue besides the fact I would probably would end up going to Irvine a lot.
I went through IUSD myself and did not find it super competitive, my husband went though Cypress school district. We are not sure how Laguna Beach district compared overall, it seems very impressive on paper. (I am Asian, husband is White)
I know we probably need additional insurance if we lived in TOW, not sure how much is landslide insurance etc and what extra things we need in general.
I would appreciate any comment on these elementary schools and neighborhood. If you were us, where would you choose to live and why?