Pacific Hills Dr, Mission Viejo

A friend of mine who lives near Boston was researching place to live in Orange County and was really interested in the Pacific Hills community of Mission Viejo. As I live very near there, I told him I would conduct some close hand research myself. I do remember that Pacific Hills was once voted as the Best Neighborhood in Orange County (based on the OC Register's Best Of survey).

I pass by Pacific Hills almost every day in my commute home on Oso Parkway. It's not hard to notice the palm lined streets of Mediterranean and Spanish inspired homes that rise up the hill above the Pavillions shopping center.

I had visited some homes there and found that, while they were generally larger homes, the lots were smaller and appeared crowded. One home had a small strip of a backyard that barely contained a small lap pool. The home's floor plan, however, was spacious and the design included many luxury upgrades.

I can remember one night when I drove into the neighborhood to drop off my babysitter, my headlights caught the startled eyes of dozens of wild rabbits feasting on a corner green, It kind of freaked me out. I don't mind a few rabbits, but my own experience with cleaning up rabbit pellets in my own yard made me a little leery.

I remember reading about a series of robberies that took place over a few months period, so I asked a friend who is a Mission Viejo police officer, and he said that it had blown over. Pacific Hills generally enjoys the same low crime rate that has put Mission Viejo on the map for saftey and security.

My friend was hoping to have access to a community pool, but I could find no evidence of one or of any community support facilities. The offset to that is the community's access to the wonderful Lake Mission Viejo and its beaches and boating activities.

Pacific Hills is a great location, sitting at the crossroads of Oso and Marguerite which provides convenient access to all city facilities, the Shoppes at Mission Viejo,the fabulous medical complex, and the 5 freeway.

I gave Pacific Hills a thumbs up, but also thought my friend ought to explore some other neighborhoods.