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I love Balboa Island! It is a bunch of super adorable houses on a charming little island with a main street through it (Marine Avenue) filled with yummy restaurants, cute little shops and a Starbucks (because why live on your own island if it does not come with a Starbucks?). It is amazing to be able to take a short walk from your home to enjoy a romantic dinner or to go to the market with your family and grab an ice cream cone on the way home.

There are some cons to the Balboa, though. The roads are very narrow and parking is a nightmare. Most people will not move their cars for the weekend once they get home Friday, which is why it is also great that everything is within walking distance. Unless you take the ferry (and it is like a three car ferry that takes 4 minutes), there is only one road on and off of the island. Also, as the houses are practically on top of each other, you can hear everything going on in the neighborhood. Fortunately, as the only people who can actually afford to live on Balboa are older, most people do not stay up partying late.

Beach Boulevard is the major road that connects Huntington Beach to the 405. As a result, it is constantly full of cars. And it seems every single light is timed differently so it takes FOREVER to make it up Beach. And you say you want to get from the 405 to the beach during the summer down Beach Boulevard? Forget about it- that thing is a parking lot! There are side streets you can detour down, but, what do you do if you live on Beach Boulevard?

As you get closer to the beach, there are some nice condos and apartment complexes. However, unless you are lucky enough to live in a complex with an area that is set off of Beach Boulevard, there is constant traffic noise. Even at three in the morning, traffic is zooming up and down Beach Boulevard and a lot of the drivers have their windows down and music blaring.

Beach Boulevard is pretty safe, but, the further away you get from PCH and the beach, the shadier it gets. There are abandoned and outdated buildings from Talbert on, although some of those are being torn down and newer places built. I wouldn't be afraid to walk down Beach Boulevard at night by myself, but, I definitely would be very vigilant.

Villa Park is where all of the old money of Orange County resides. The homes and lots here are huge and beautifully maintained. No one drives a crappy car. No one has a house that is not immaculately decorated. The residents are predominantly white families who, to put it plainly, make a crap load of money.

This city is untouchable as far as crime and they have closed off their walls to outsiders. Their city motto is "The Hidden Jewel" and they are going to keep it that way! I have lived in Orange County for eight years and have only been in this area once by accident - I could see eyes in the windows of every house I drove by. Neighborhood Watch definitely works in Villa Park!

Although Villa Park may not have a lot of action inside its city limits (the main items on their city council calendar are Rotary Club and AA meetings), it is very close to Anaheim and Orange. Each one of these surrounding cities offers a ton of entertainment and shopping options with The Block and The Mall of Orange. Villa Park is located right next to the 55, which is a straight shot down to Newport Beach for shopping there or simply visiting the beach!

It is not that I have anything personally against Warner Avenue; it just kind of sticks out like a sore thumb in Huntington Beach. There are all these nice streets filled with fancy houses and gorgeous lawns and then there is Warner Avenue. It is so random. There is a Home Depot, an abandoned Ralph's, a dirty strip mall and then a super nice apartment complex. Then there is a decent strip mall and then a trailer park. And that weird pattern continues all along Warner Avenue (although it does get nicer as you continue along it into Huntington Harbor). True, if you live on Warner, you literally have access to everything as that street houses tons of strip malls, but, it is also very noisy as it is a major street. Some parts of it are clean, but, since it is so industrial and filled with crappy strip malls and abandoned stores, those nicer areas of Warner shrink into the background.

The schools in Huntington are really good and if you live on Warner you would be very close to them. However, you can probably find nicer areas to live in Huntington, unless you are on a very tight budget. In that case, I would try to stick as close to the beach portion of Warner as possible. That area is actually pretty nice, but, then the prices go up. It is a lose-lose.

My friend lived in the Sky View Apartments and loved it. He said the pool is great and the view of the Saddleback Mountains is amazing.

Los Alisos Boulevard is clean, green and pretty and the residents are friendly. However, according to my friend, you might want to travel out of the immediate area if you are going out to party as the local bars are "full of cougars and high school has beens". His words, not mine, so if you fall into either of these categories, get mad at him. This street is not too good for dining either - if you follow Los Alisos under the 241, you will hit a strip mall with some fast food dining options, but, you have to keep following it further before you hit the grocery store (Henry's).

If you are moving into this street with your family, there are many different types of highly rated private schools nearby. There are a couple of public schools that rate well, too, but, private schools definitely have the majority. Oh, and when I say nearby, I mean nearby RSM talk. Everything in this city is spread waaaaaay out. Your kids will definitely not be walking home from school. Unless you are a mean parent or you have a fat kid.

It is great when they name a street appropriately, as they did when naming City Lights Drive. It has a really amazing view! City Lights Drive is also as close to the action as you can get in Aliso Viejo - it is located right next to Aliso Viejo Town Center, which is a huge shopping mall with a variety of shopping options, restaurants to satisfy any taste, a movie theater and a book store (just in case people still do that reading thing these days).

Due to City Lights Drive proximity to the Town Center, traffic can get a little dicey around Christmas time, but, normally it is pretty tame. You also have the benefit of living close to the freeway so you can escape Aliso Viejo easily (not that you would ever need to, with that Town Center literally being right there)!

The only con of living on this street is the fire station. My friend used to live on this street and the sirens would occasionally wake him up. However, he has a tendency to take naps during the day when normal people are at work, so, I, as should you, take that complaint with a grain of salt.

Like all of Aliso Viejo, Gauguin Circle should be avoided like the plague if you are young, social and want to be anywhere near where all of the action is. While the residents of Aliso Viejo are friendly and outgoing, they all have families, curfews and lists of things to do around the house every weekend; partying is definitely not one of them. So, if you do not want to wind up alone in your home watching reruns in your underwear with a half-empty bottle of Jack in one hand, then do not move to Gauguin Circle.

However, if you do have a family and you do want a nice home on a quiet street where the neighbors are kind, but, do not get in your business and your children are free to roam the streets without fear of them getting kidnapped, then do move to Gauguin Circle! Just keep in mind that this street is on the outskirts of Aliso Viejo which means you are out in the middle of nowhere while living in the middle of nowhere, but, if you want to be surrounded by greenery and silence, go for it! Ok, fine – there are some grocery stores and restaurants around. You aren’t going to starve!

The motto for Fountain Valley is “A Nice Place to Live”. It is fabulous when mottos are spot on and this is definitely the case here!

El Gorra Circle is walking distance to Mile Square Park which has endless recreation activities available to you, including walking around the square (that would be a four mile walk, for those of you who are not math geniuses out there :-p). El Gorra Circle also has it own twenty-two acre park within the community, which is known as the “Green Belt”.

The neighborhood is quiet and full of very friendly people. There are always lots of places for parking except for during the holidays when people are either utilizing Mile Square Park or the Green Belt. However, the good thing is that the neighborhood El Gorra Circle is in blocks out all non-residents and provides parking passes for guests of the neighborhood, which is great when you are trying to enjoy the pool!

And, if being surrounded by smiling people and beautiful greenery is not enough, grocery stores, shops, restaurants, schools and the local hospital are all within one square mile! And, if you go a little farther, the beach is just about a fifteen minute drive away!

North Spruce Street is a nice, average street to live on. This street makes you feel like you are back in the 1950's; mostly because that is when the majority of the houses were built! Most people own their own homes on this street and the pride of ownership is apparent – average, but apparent. There are a lot of families on this street, but there is always plenty of parking available and the street is very quiet. Having said that, though, there is a high degree of auto theft in Santa Ana, so keep your car locked and close to your home!

North Spruce Street has easy access to the nearby strip mall, which features a Target and Kohl's. The Block is nearby (a short drive that takes you under the 22 freeway), which is good for your other entertainment options (bowling, more shopping, movie theaters, Dave & Busters, and plenty of restaurants).

Riverview Golf Course is nearby. It has a pretty good golfing green and a nice driving range.

The surrounding schools rate well (all the way from elementary to high school) and the neighbors seem involved in the school community. All up, it is an affordable, average place to raise your family!

Talk about a convenient location! North West Street has apartment complexes, a local park, an elementary school, the US postal office and a 7-11 all on one corner! However, along with conveniences such as these, come inconveniences. Due to the number of apartment complexes, this is a very crowded street where you feel like everyone is on top of each other. Kids are also running wild all over this street.

There is a nice park near by. Every weekend, there are soccer games there. If that is a pro or con depends on your view of soccer and what you want to use the park for.

Parking is very hard unless you have an assigned space. Even then, it is still going to be difficult for your guests to find parking. And, once you do have your car parked, it probably is not safe. Remember all those wild kids running around? Well, they like to play a game called "Break Car Windows". This is lots of fun for them, but, pretty expensive for you in glass replacement bills. Plus, once your car window is broken, even if the kids don’t steal your stuff, who is to say someone else won’t?

If you want to be in the middle of nowhere surrounded by tract homes and no businesses or entertainment options for miles around, just the odd tree, green lawns and desert hills on the horizon, Tierra Plano is the street for you! I do not mean that in a bad way; it really just comes down to what you are looking for in your neighborhood. There really is not much to do around here, so, if you are single or are a social couple, this is not the place for you. If you have a family and want to be part of a safe community or you are a loner who can not stand noise or action, this is the street for you.

Most of the families here all have young children and have not lived in the area for long. The pool is pretty good, but, also usually filled with kids.

This street is close to the 241 toll road, which gives you somewhat easy access to all of the entertainment options available in Irvine and Tustin as well as the area where you most likely work. As a toll road, the traffic is light, but, on the other hand, you have to pay the toll.

This review is for where Bailey Street intersects Chapman Avenue.

There is a huge apartment complex here. Oddly enough, though, the residents seem to remain pretty constant. Maybe it is because they are an older crowd and do not feel the need to move as much as the young folks do.

There are some families here, so sounds of children playing during the day are pretty common. There is also a kid who plays the drums, but, he is good about keeping his playing hours during the day. At night, there is the usual neighborhood sounds - pretty average there.

Most people use the street parking, however, there seems to be enough of it. If you aren't lucky enough to snag the last spot in front of where ever you are going, you only have to drive up the road a little to find another. Nearby Valley View Drive gives you direct access to the 22. It slows down a little during rush hour but still moves along at a steady pace. Following Valley View down until it turns into Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach will lead you to Westminster Mall, which is just ok, and continuing along that will eventually lead you to the beach. However, it does lead you to the part of the beach where the tourists swim in their clothes because they don't own swimsuits.

The area is green and leafy with a couple of parks nearby, but, the brown tones of the apartment make the area a little depressing. Right behind this street is a strip mall with a grocery store, tanning store, drug store and a couple of fast food places.

Although this area is average, the neighbors are friendly and its location enables you to live on the outskirts of Orange County and still enjoy its benefits without the cost.

The Stadium Lofts, located on East Wright Circle, was the city of Anaheim's first attempt to turn Anaheim into a "big city". They are still on the right track, but, there is a lot of work left to turn this area into a true "downtown". There is an El Torito Grill, Subway, Juice it Up and a Kelly’s coffee shop at the base of Stadium Lofts. A few other apartment complexes have sprung up with restaurants built into their base and the long awaited A-Town on Katella has promised to be a little city within itself.

If you are a sports nut, you are in the right area! Angel Stadium is literally right across the street from you and the Honda Center is a little bit down Katella. The Grove of Anaheim is also across the street. During the year, they hold concerts and comedy shows.

Getting out of East Wright Circle might be the hardest part of your commute as Katella and State College slow down a little during rush hour and a lot whenever there is a sporting event on. If you use the train, the station is conveniently located across Katella.

For shopping, The Block and the Orange Mall are very close, however, the nearest grocery store is a bit of a drive down State College.

This street has a lot of potential, especially if you like to be where all of the action is. However, it remains to be seen how soon they will complete A-Town, which, right now, is just a dirt pit. The only other con is that in the parking garage of Stadium Lofts, every once in a while, there is a slight sewer smell.

Do you want the security that the Irvine and Tustin areas bring, but do not want to be stuck out in the middle of suburbia paradise bored out of your mind? This area of Irvine is perfect for you, then! Bryan Avenue where it hits El Camino Real is actually walking distance to the Tustin Marketplace. For those of you that do not know the Tustin Marketplace, it is filled with a variety of dining options, as well as plenty of opportunities for shopping and a movie theater. How could you ever be bored when you live so close to that?!

Bryan Avenue is close to the 5 and 241 freeways, which is great if you need to get out of town fast. However, that is also a tiny bit of a con as there is a little bit of freeway noise (just a little bit, though). Several big businesses have their headquarters nearby; if you can get a job at one of those places and live on Bryan, you are set (and your gas bill for your car will be non-existent).

If you are into hiking, biking or have a horse to ride, the West Irvine Trail actually starts right off of Bryan Avenue. The track is separated so the joggers and horse riders do not get run over by the bikers, which is fabulous, as they definitely zoom along!

West Ash Avenue is in a quaint, quiet neighborhood filled with track homes. Most of these homes are single story with a raised foundation and are surrounded by healthy and green Magnolia trees. The neighbors are all very friendly and there is a welcoming air to the street. If you have kids, this is a great street for you to live on as there are plenty of other neighborhood children for your kids to play with.

This street is close to downtown Fullerton, which is extremely convenient as that area offers dining and entertainment options for the whole family (although, taking your young kids out there too late at night is ill advised due to the number of bars around there - they might see something that will scar them for life!). West Ash Avenue is only about two miles from Costco, which you will really appreciate if you have a large family!

The only con of this street is there is pretty dim lighting at night. Be careful if you are walking. Not because the street is not safe (it is very safe), but, so a car does not see you on the side of the road and you end up getting run over!

This review is for where Barranca Parkway intersects Culver Drive.

Irvine is a very well planned and thought out community, especially around this area, where, with the addition of The District shopping area, you have all sorts of entertainment, shopping and dining options available to you.

Around the area where Barranca and Culver meet is very quiet. Although it is close to The District, it is far enough removed where you do not have to deal with any of the traffic or noise, while still remaining centrally located in Irvine.

The neighbors are friendly, but, tend to keep to themselves. This area is a good place to raise a family. My friend moved out of there about a year ago and several new families had just moved in to that area and were planning on laying down roots for the long haul.

There are lots of schools and parks within walking distance. It is Irvine, so it is practically guaranteed as part of paying your taxes that your kids are safe walking home from school!

While this area is good for families, young adults will probably find it a bit too "settled" and boring for them. They are probably better off living closer The District, where they won’t disturb their neighbors when they come home late from the bars!

This street has it all! Not only does it have super easy access to the 55, which will get you absolutely anywhere, but, if you are leaving home and heading for the beach, you get to avoid the area where the 55 ends and dumps on to Newport Boulevard, which is where there is always a traffic jam.

Despite being seconds by car from tons of restaurants, movie theaters, grocery and drug stores, bars, the beach and shopping, 18th Street is very quiet and clean. The homes are very well kept and the neighbors are friendly.

Nearby Hoag Hospital is one of the absolute best hospitals in Orange County. So, if you ever attempt to sample every one of the hundreds of beer the nearby Yardhouse offers, it will be a quick ambulance ride to get your stomach pumped!

18th Street is a great place to live! The ocean breeze prevents the weather from getting too hot in this area and in the winter…well, it is Southern California – what winter? Although to purchase in this area is pricey, if you can find a great place to rent, it might be worth giving up the dream of being a home owner!

If you live on Paularino Avenue, you enjoy the great benefit of all Costa Mesa residents of being central to almost every freeway in Orange County. Some portions of Paularino get a bit too close to the freeway action, but, luckily, even those portions have the minimum amount of freeway noise.

On Paularino Avenue, there are mainly young adults living there (late 20s to early 30s) and a few young families. South Coast Plaza and some restaurants (various sushi places and Wahoo's) are within walking distance. For nightlife, you are limited to the Shark Club on Baker Street. It has been taken over by the Asian crowd, which is fine, if that is what you are into. They recently opened a trendy wine bar right next to Bloomingdales in South Coast Plaza. It is definitely fun for something different or a special occasion, but, it is super expensive.

The area does have some highly rated schools in the area, such as Paularino and Sonora Elementary and Costa Mesa High School. Orange County Community College has a good reputation, as well; it is just down the road.

Traffic in this area isn't too bad as most people do not realize it runs parallel to Baker, which sees most of the traffic during rush hour.

Aliso Viejo is conveniently located right off the 73; the only issue with that is it is a toll road, but, that also means less traffic!

All of Aliso Viejo has a warm, family-friendly vibe. There are trees and greenery everywhere that make it seem like you are in a secluded forest, while you remain close to the beach. Everyone is supportive of the school sport teams - it is great to attend one of their football games and to see the stands packed with cheering fans! As it is "south OC", Aliso Viejo still retains the OC casual vibe, but, people here are not as materialistic as some of the beach cities.

On Hawaii Drive in Aliso Viejo specifically, you are conveniently located close to areas for grocery shopping and schools. All of the neighbors are outgoing and the street is quiet. As there are a lot of wooded areas around this street, you will see the occasional coyote wandering about. Be sure to keep your pets in at night and in the early morning, as this is when coyotes hunt. Even if you think your pet is too big to be eaten by a coyote, you certainly do not want to pay the vet bill if they do happen to meet!

This area is definitely representing lifestyles of the rich and famous. Which is absolutely how it should be if you are living in a million dollar home overlooking the ocean. When you reside in a neighborhood where money is no object, obviously, everything is immaculately maintained and not a single palm frond is out of place.

With the beauty of nature all around you, you can not help but get out and about in this area! You can visit the beach, go hiking, explore the sea life in the reef (just do not touch!). It is so quiet and peaceful here mostly because most people do not know about it!

If you normally do not like to pay to park, that is not an option here. There really is no where else to park except for the state parking lot (it is only $10). Just be aware that the hike from the parking lot to the beach is a little steep, so, come prepared to go carefully down and for the climb back up.

Maybe you can afford to live there when you get older. The Crystal Cove Nursing Center gets very good reviews (and, I'm sure, a very good income)!

What's not to love about Old Town Orange by the traffic circle? In the traffic circle are tons of antique stores, unique restaurants and a bar or two for all your entertainment needs. Outside of the circle are street after street of adorable, historic homes with tons of charm and character! Once you get beyond the circle, some neighborhoods get a bit rundown, but, overall, it is pretty safe and you will see your neighbors frequently on bike rides or walks with their family. Everyone seems to know each other and will welcome you with open arms!

Every year since 1910, the city of Orange throws a free Street Fair on Labor Day weekend. The streets are blocked off in Plaza Square, with each street having a particular nation's theme. Young and old come out to celebrate and it is always a good time with a happy crowd (even when the drinks are flowing, as you can drink in the fair area)! In this same area, at the beginning of each Christmas, they hold a tree lighting ceremony with a choir. This city is all about the community!

If you ever get tired of antiques, Orange is centrally located with access to the 22, 55, 5 & 57 freeways! You can get anywhere you want very easily!

If you have the money, this is the ideal place to be in Yorba Linda! The homes and lots are huge and the streets above and behind it are all stacked so that everyone has a great view! There are trees and bushes everywhere as well as plenty of horse and walking trails to keep you in shape!

Fern Circle is a cul-de-sac, which is great for teaching your kids how to ride their bikes or letting them run around in without fear that someone will come tearing down the street and accidentally hit one of them. There are only six or seven homes on this street and everyone knows each other well and gets along. There are even neighborhood dinner parties!

Everyone maintains their house and yard and during the holidays, they get in the spirit and light their homes up festively.

Just down the road is a little strip mall with a Vons for your grocery needs. Although this street is set back in Yorba Linda, it is only a few minutes drive to the freeway and Bastanchury will actually take you all the way to Fullerton. Nearby is Esperanza High School which has a great football team!

If you are looking to rent, this is a great area for it. Even though the complex is huge, you hardly ever see anyone else around. When you do run into people at the pool or hot tub, they are always very friendly and talkative. The residents range from families to single people. I have seen parents letting their kids play with the drunken people in the pool and everyone gets along great and has a good time! Or that is just a testament to how badly parents need a break from entertaining their kids sometimes!

Parking is a pain because there are very few visitor parking spaces. The garages have stacked parking, which means you can park two cars in there back to front, instead of side to side. As a result of that inconvenience, most of the residents park in the visitor spots.

Although traffic heading north on the 55 towards this street is a nightmare, the rent is so affordable, it is almost worth putting up with that headache. Besides, if you know side streets, you can work your way there without putting up with the 55. Nearby, there is a complex with Target, lots of great restaurants for all different kinds of taste and a movie theater. For nightlife, you either have to go to Canyon Inn in Yorba Linda or head to The Block in Anaheim, as bars are scarce around this street. Or, you can go to Foxfire, if you are looking for a cougar!

Placentia is how you picture middle America to be. During rush hour, there are cars constantly zipping around tree lined streets (and I said zipping for a reason - unless you get stuck at the train tracks, traffic in Placentia keeps a steady pace). At night, everyone seems to be tucked in safe at home and the streets are quiet and deserted.

Although it shares many of the same characteristics of nearby Yorba Linda, Placentia seems to have more of the "every man" vibe than Yorba Linda.

If you are looking for something a little bit more exciting to do besides hang out with your family, you will need to take a road trip to nearby Fullerton (for the bars) or Brea (for the shopping and non-stop entertainment options that city has). However, Placentia does have a Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning and their local schools offer adult education classes to further your career or just for fun!

The weather here doesn't get as hot as it can in Yorba Linda and Brea, although, in the summer, without the ocean breeze, it does get a little toasty (high 90s)! The city council is very involved in "green" programs and uses the internet to communicate to their residents. It is a great town!

I loved living on this street! All of my neighbors were super friendly, but, no one got in each other's business. Although the complex this street is located in is large, hardly any one was ever at the pool, hot tub or barbeque area when I wanted to use them. The area is beautifully landscaped with rich green grass and tall, leafy trees. Huntington Harbor is a short walk away where you can enjoy the view of the canals and million dollar homes.

If you can rent or own a property in this complex, go for it! Considering the location, these condos are going cheap! This is partially due to the fact that they exist on leased land, so, either factor that monthly cost into your mortgage, or rent and let your landlord worry about it.

The location is great because you get to be a part of Huntington Beach and Huntington Harbor with no traffic. Most people don't even know this area exists! And across the street from you is the Naval Station which is quiet and empty all the time.

There are always tons of places to park because the complex is really good about making sure visitor spaces stay free for visitors as everyone has at least one garage space and a driveway space for parking.

I regret selling my place there, but, that land lease was hefty!

Like they say, there is always an exception to a rule, and Siskiyou Street in Westminster is that exception (just do not ask me how to pronounce it). One of my friends lives here and I was super surprised at the neighborhood the first time I went to her house. The streets and lawns were nicely maintained and the cars parked in the streets did not make me feel like my new car would be the flashing target for all the neighborhood thieves.

This street is all single-family homes, which I believe makes a difference when it comes to pride of ownership. After all, the managers of an apartment complex probably only come by every so often to check on the exterior of their properties; and why spend money that could be going in their pocket?

The location is great (right next to the 22 freeway) and super quiet. There is an elementary school a block over that your kids can walk home from (although, at night...I don't know). If you drive down Goldenwest, a short distance away is a Home Depot, Albertsons, Post Office, PetSmart and a few other odds and ends stores in a strip mall. There is also a movie theater, but, it borders on the ghetto side, as far as weird smells and condition.

I do not know what it is about Westminster, but, the whole area gives me a bad vibe. Maybe it really is beautiful down some side streets and I have just driven through some really crappy areas. The whole place looks run down, dirty and deserted. I take Goldenwest off the 22 home from work every day and you can definitely tell when you have crossed the Westminster/Huntington Beach border. There is a large Asian population in this area; it could be that they congregate in nicer areas that aren't on the main streets and I'm just missing them.

If you do not have time to go to South Coast Plaza (which, if you have read my other reviews, you know I love), then Westminster will do in a pinch. Their Macy's actually has stepped it up in the last couple of years. That is my favorite store and even I would not step foot in there before. My friends and I refer to Westminster Mall as the “ghetto mall”. Not because of the types of stores that are in it, but, the whole feel there is empty and depressing. Most of the stores are not very well stocked and the people that work in them are rude.

Seal Beach is a combination of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. It has the laid back vibe of Huntington Beach, but, the real estate market of Newport Beach. Like Newport, the house are within inches of each other, but, if you can afford it and like the lifestyle, it would be a great place to live - you would never have to leave to get anything! Unlike Huntington Beach, there are lots of other entertainment options besides drinking on Main Street. Yes, Seal Beach has their own version of Main Street, but, it is much more low-key and family friendly. Seal Beach also has a movie theater, tons of restaurants ranging from super casual to super fancy and, although it is not right next to the freeways, it has easier access to the freeways than Huntington Beach.

Like all beach cities, as it is full of people who are on permanent vacations (or, at least act like they are), it is a bit noisy. The Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH, as the locals call it) runs right through town and it is pretty busy most times of the day, but, it is never deadlocked in traffic.

The people here are friendly and are mostly locals, which is great, because the downside of nearby Huntington Beach is all the visitors who tear up the city and then leave. There is a greater sense of community pride here. If only I could afford it!

One of my friends lives on this street in this complex and I think the area is super adorable. Everyone has cute planter boxes and the streets are immaculate. Parking is a breeze and, even though it is a large complex, everyone isn't right on top of each other. From what my friend has told me, her neighbors are very friendly and social.

Even though Ladera Ranch is huge, the entertainment and shopping options are limited, so, if you live here, be prepared to run into everyone you know. And that includes the "Real Housewives of Orange County" cast as they film the show there. My friend is constantly complaining that the local bar is filled with camera crews whenever the girls go out. Warren G lives there, too. It was kind of funny running into him in a place that is definitely suburbia! But he, just like the rest of Ladera Ranch’s residents, was super friendly and he even hung out talking with us for awhile after we bugged him for group pictures.

This is a great area if you don’t mind frequenting the same spots over and over again. The neighborhoods are beautiful and green and if you work north, your commute southbound on the 5 freeway will be a breeze. My only issue with Ladera Ranch is that you have to be fairly wealthy to live there and while they are very nice, it seems that people there are a bit superficial and are a little too concerned with where you live, what kind of car you drive and the brand of clothes you are wearing.

Randolph Avenue is great because it is a dead end street off of Baker Street, which tends to get a bit congested during rush hour - no one will be zooming down your street looking for a short cut! Right when you turn into Randolph, there is a large condo complex with beautiful waterfalls and plenty of greenery. As you follow it around, the road narrows and you will see a day care center on the right; yes, it is filled with screaming kids during the day, but, shouldn't you be at work then? At the end of the dead end are two more condo complexes. All of these condos have gated parking areas, which is great, as people have found out what a great location this is and street parking is hard to come by (especially since it is such a short street)!

If you are lucky enough to live in the condos that do not face Baker Street, then this street is amazingly quiet, especially since it is located in between the 405, 55 and 73 freeways - hello, perfect commute location! And you never, ever see your neighbors. Ever.

This is a funny area of Costa Mesa because even though Randolph is cute, if you go one street over (Jeffrey), it is full of rundown apartment complexes. Yet a couple of blocks away are South Coast Plaza and the OC Performing Arts Centre and tons of expensive restaurants. They are working hard to "dress up" this part of town, so it is a good place to buy an investment property for the future!

The homes on this street are absolutely adorable! They have an old world vibe and everyone maintains their homes beautiful. Well, either they do or their gardeners do, as you have to be pretty well off to live in this area. It is the perfect place to live! Even though the houses are pretty close together, it is a quiet neighborhood and the only time it is hard to find parking is when the nearby church is in session.

You are surrounded by entertainment options here. Nearby, there is Triangle Square which has a movie theater and Chronic Cantina and Yardhouse for a tasty meal or late night entertainment. Triangle Square also has Sutra Nightclub. It's actually one of the better nightclubs in the OC, but, drinks are super expensive and there is a hefty cover (even if you know someone who can get you in, guys usually have to pay the cover). If you want a dive bar, there is Goat Hill Tavern, which is usually filled with young college boys, but, if you like them and cheap beer, you're in luck! For shopping, Newport Beach's Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa are very close by.

I have nothing bad to say about this neighborhood - it really is a great place to live for everyone…if you can afford it!

Garden Grove has a bit of a bad reputation as being over run by renters or people that do not take good care of their homes. This area is an amazing exception, though. Everyone maintains their homes and it is a quiet street where hardly any renters live. You can not hear the 22 freeway at all, but, you are still conveniently close to it! Nearby Valley View Street also has grocery stores and casual dining restaurants. There isn't anything fancy, but, it gets the job done. For entertainment, there is a bowling alley and cheap movie theater (all movies are $5), but, both are pretty ghetto. It is ironic that this street and the neighboring streets are named after gems as this neighborhood is definitely a diamond in the rough.

There is a nice park nearby that is always empty, if you want to go play ball with your kids. Beyond that and the previously mentioned bowling alley and movie theater, that is about it for local entertainment. Your kids are safe running around the neighborhood with the neighborhood kids during the day, but, it is best to keep them in at night. Not that the neighborhood isn't safe, but, my friend did have someone rob her home while she was at work one day, but, that can happen even in the best neighborhoods. Just be prepared with an alarm system.

All up, for the price of homes in this area and the great neighborhood vibe, it is an affordable place to raise a family in the OC while giving your kids room to run around.

One of my friends lives on this street and I can not get over how friendly everyone in the neighborhood is! A couple of times every summer, we will have a garage sale at her house. My friend knows all of her neighbors, who are always out walking their dogs or working on their lawns. They all come over for a chat and everyone knows each other.

Since everyone is always working on their gardens and homes, there is a definite pride in ownership on this street. This is great, because this neighborhood is part of the older section of Anaheim and the homes here have a lot of character. It is great to see them maintained!

The street is super wide and there is plenty of room for parking as most of the homes have garages that they access from an alley in the back.

I wouldn't recommend this area for someone who likes to party a lot. The residents here aren't super old, but, they are an older, settled down crowd and if you threw a loud party that went into the middle of the night, someone would definitely call the cops on you. But, that's ok - party at someone else's house and then come home to your nice and quiet street!

Although Walnut Street is located pretty close to the 5 Freeway and Newport Avenue, which is a pretty major thoroughfare, it is so quiet on this street! Trees line either side and there is plenty of parking always available. You would swear you are the only person that lives on the street!

Walnut Street is perfect because you live on this quiet and secluded street, but, the second you turn on to Newport Avenue, the world is your oyster – all within walking distance! Newport Avenue itself has everything you could want right there: grocery stores; video stores; drug stores; etc. And, if you jump on the 5, anywhere else you could possibly ever want to go is well within your reach! If you work anywhere north of Tustin, the 5 southbound moves along pretty well. The best part about living right off the 5 is that even if Newport is a little congested during rush hour, you are going to exit it to your street pretty much as soon as you get on it!

Although Newport Avenue in this area has the feel of a strip mall that is a little past its prime, Walnut Avenue is a quaint residential street that will amaze you!

As Delaware Street is pretty long, the area I am referring to is right next to Garfield. This is a great area to live in if you are renting in Huntington Beach. It is located close to the beach (it is probably a fifteen minute bike ride) and yet is still close to Beach Boulevard, eliminating the pain of accessing the freeway that living right on the beach has. The street is kind of noisy, with a car passing by every ten minutes or so in the evenings, but, it's not that bad (and could have more to do with the old windows in my boyfriend's apartment complex). What is great is that if you keep going up Delaware, there is a shopping center with a drug store and frozen yogurt place perfect for emergency supply runs or a late night treat!

It is mostly apartment complexes in this area. Surprisingly, though, it is very quiet! Parking is a breeze, except for on Sundays. There are three or four churches in this area and parking gets a bit difficult as a result.

There are plenty of parks nearby and the apartment complexes are very well run, so they are clean and leafy!

If you are attending college, or have just gotten out of college and still like to party, downtown Fullerton is for you. Harbor and Commonwealth are literally lined with bar after bar, including a great piano bar. Most of these places charge a cover; I won't say which ones are worth it or not, because, really it depends on what you are looking for - really, though, no matter what your taste, downtown Fullerton has you covered. And, if you are a little bit over the college scene, check out Slide Bar, which is a great bar showcasing some of Fullerton's influence over the rock industry. Also scattered amongst the bars are a wide variety of restaurants. I love Vito & Angelos - check it out not only for the amazing pizza, but, for the crazy decor showcasing Italy and old school Hollywood!

If you tire of the bar scene, as we all do (some of us before others), Fullerton also has an amazing little theater called "Maverick's Theater". Their production of "The Producers" was so entertaining and captivating!

Getting to downtown Fullerton is a straight shot down Harbor off of the 91. It is kind of a pain to get there from the beach cities, but, worth the drive for a good night out. There is even plenty of parking off of Commonwealth!

This area is located just up the street from South Coast Plaza, but, as it in Santa Ana, which doesn't have such a great reputation, there really wasn't much special about it. About eight years ago, they tried to "fancy" it up by building apartments, townhouses and a few retail shops. It took a few years for it all to get off the ground, but, they were doing ok, also thanks to a few companies having very large headquarters right there (it was convenient for people to live, eat and play right next to where they work). A couple of years ago, two high-rise condo towers were built and Macarthur Boulevard was going to see its rebirth. Unfortunately, something happened where the builder went bankrupt (or something like that) and the high-rises stood empty. Lately, though, they have been advertising them as apartments for rent, which is great, because they look awesome! Once people start moving in to them, the retail around that area will grow with the demand. And you can not beat the location: right next to South Coast Plaza for shopping; close to the Orange County Performing Arts Centre for your cultural influences; and adjacent to the 55 and 405 for wherever you need to get to! I can not wait to see what happens to this area in the next few years (although, they better make some traffic planning decisions soon - it already is kind of a mess around there)!

I love this area! It rests on a hill above Yorba Linda and is filled with beautiful greenery! The homes are all unique (not cookie cutter at all) and every one is super friendly. There is plenty of parking on the street, which is great, as most people in this area have RVs or boats they store temporarily there. It is a great area to raise your family, as most streets around it end in cul-de-sacs that offer safety zones for your children to play in.

The only downside to this area is you have to drive a little bit to get your grocery shopping done; it is not too far, though, and once you reach that general area, every grocery store, fast food joint, nail salon or Laundromat you could ever want is right there. And, at the bottom of the hill, is the world famous "Canyon Inn", a dive bar that is very popular with the locals and features a band most weekend nights. Just be careful driving around here at night as many of the Canyon Inn’s patrons that live close by tend to drive home when they probably should not be. Once you get up in the hill, though, it is so quiet, you will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere! Love it!

This neighborhood is in an ideal location. It is close to the 57 and 55 freeways and also offers various side street routes if those freeways are congested. It is walking distance to the grocery store, which is contained in a strip mall which has some great little restaurants. It is even super close to the great school high school, Esperanza. The houses are large and original and filled with friendly and social people. At the end of the day, though, none of these positive factors make up for the fact that it is right across the street from the train tracks! The train is so loud that if you are on the phone or watching tv, you have to stop your conversation or pause your show until the train passes. This is even with dual paned windows shut tight! You might not think that is such a big deal for the few times a day the Metro Link train passes by, but, that track is also used by cargo trains that run all the time. To make matters worse, there is an intersection right there that the trains have to honk their horn at. If the rumbling of the train does not startle you, that horn certainly will! And, for some reason, trains park in that area and idle. I'm not sure if they switch carriages there or what is going on, but, having a train idle outside of your home for an hour is not cool, no matter what the time of day!

Fountain Valley is mostly residential, with the usual strip malls containing grocery stores and little restaurants and knick knack stores. There is a good bowling alley there, though, that is fun. Just make sure you make a reservation as it is always booked solid. Or, you can kill time while you wait for your lane by hitting up the karaoke in the bar. They also have a good sized hospital which has a decent reputation.

Fountain Valley is very green and clean. It looks like it would be a nice place to live if you are trying to raise a family, but, still want to be close to the beach (Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are close by) and have easy access to the 405. A great perk of Fountain Valley is Mile Square Park. It is a mile on each side and, you guessed it, it is square. There is a golf course in the park, as well as basketball and baseball fields and walking trails.

It is funny - as you get on the 405 leaving Fountain Valley, there is a water tank with “Shop Fountain Valley” painted on it in bright colors. Um…where exactly do they want us to shop? LOL! There is a complex with Costco and some very overpriced patio stores, but, for REAL shopping, check out nearby South Coast Plaza.

I love Costa Mesa! It is centrally located near the beach cities and the areas where most people work (Irvine, Anaheim, etc.). Traffic is pretty much non-existent (it does get a little bit backed up on Baker Street around 5pm each work day, but, that is it) and the 405, 55 and 73 make getting any where a breeze.

Culturally, Costa Mesa has a lot to offer. The Orange County Performing Arts Centre is located there. They hold concerts, musicals and plays throughout the year. In the summer, every Monday they project a classic movie on the wall outside and people are encouraged to bring blankets, wine and food and enjoy the free event. The Costa Mesa Fairgrounds always have something going on. There are car shows, sand expos and the annual Orange County Fair. On the weekends (excluding when the Fair is going on), they have a good sized market selling clothes, fresh fruits and vegetables, items for your home, beauty products, bakery goods, carved wood decorations and tons of other things. The best part is they sell beer!

Costa Mesa houses South Coast Plaza. It is fancier than your typical mall and there are very fancy stores inside. It’s cool to window shop at those stores, but South Coast Plaza also has the normal stores such as Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret for people that shop in my budget. It’s weird, because at one end of the mall, towards Sears, it definitely starts to get a ghetto vibe, while the rest of the mall is super fancy. Maybe it’s just me. Or maybe it’s just Sears.

It is a lot of fun to ride your bike along the Newport Beach boardwalk. You get to people watch, see some amazingly huge homes literally right on the sand and enjoy the beauty of the beach and the sun on your shoulders. Just watch out for the people on their bikes that aren’t paying attention! One of my friends cracked his ribs the other weekend after a bike collision there. Biking or walking is the preferred method of travel down by the beach as parking is vary scarce. And do not even think about parking illegally in the hopes that you will get away with it; cops are every where and your car will be towed away in about five minutes.

The best part is stopping off at one of Newport Beach’s many bars, like Mutt Lynch’s or Sharkey’s, to enjoy a cold one and meet up with your friends. I prefer Mutt Lynch’s over Sharkey’s, as it’s a little more laid back, but, still packed. Over at Sharkey’s, you are shoved in there like sardines. I guess it just depends on what you’re looking for! For great seafood, Rockin’ Baja has delicious buckets of seafood that are perfect for sharing.

Irvine is a planned, by the book, bland community. Which is great, if cookie cutter homes and flawless lawns and parks are what you are in the market for. However, due to Irvine’s size and house after house and condo after condo, you might know everyone that lives in your immediate neighborhood, but, beyond that, there are just way too many people shoved in there. Basically, Irvine is for you if you want to be part of the norm and another member of the masses in suburbia.

For me, however, the only reason I go to Irvine is for awesome concerts at the giant, grass lawn Irvine Amphitheater (I heard a rumor that was being torn down?) and occasional visits to the Irvine Spectrum. The Spectrum really is great. They stay open until 11 most nights and have tons of stores and tasty restaurants, like The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s. Add in Dave and Buster’s, an Edwards theater with an IMAX screen and the Improv and why would you need to go anywhere else? And, for random fun, there is a giant ferris wheel; a great place for a first date, because no matter what you decide to do, the Spectrum has it!

Huntington Harbor is definitely the laid back area of Huntington Beach. The residents here are a little older and calmer than their Main Street neighbors.

Set on the north end of Huntington, the Harbor is mostly residential with gorgeous homes lining the canals (beware if you are looking to buy - most homes sit on leased land!). There are plenty of grocery stores and mini strip malls in the area, but, for real shopping, nearby Westminster mall will do in a pinch; it has all the big department stores, but, it is a little ghetto. You would be better off taking the few extra minutes to drive to South Coast Plaza. For entertainment, House of Brews is always a fun night out. They have a great menu, pool tables and are one of the few places that show UFC fights for free.

During Christmas, for a very small and reasonable fee, a charity group operates a boat tour of the canals. It is worth the price - not only will you see the creative and amazing light displays, but, you get to gawk at the houses! Just remember to bring a jacket; even though winters in Southern California are pretty mild and there is an indoor area of the boat, it is cold on the water!

Brea is very similar to Yorba Linda in that it is pretty suburban, but, where Yorba Linda fails in the nightlife and entertainment portion, Brea more than makes up for! Not only does Brea have the enormous Brea Mall filled with every store you could possibly think of, but, just a little further down the road, on South Brea Boulevard, Brea holds even more gems! This area has some great restaurants, like Taps Fish House and Yardhouse, a movie theater and the Improv, as well as even more stores to shop in, including an Old Navy. To top it all off, Brea actually planned its city well and has ample, free parking at both of these areas. Can you believe it? Yes, sometimes, if you are hitting the Yardhouse up late, you may have to park at the top of the parking structure, but, to be able to park some place so close to where all the action in gives this city bonus points!

The sense of community is not as tight here as it is in Yorba Linda, but, Brea is a much bigger city, so that is understandable.

Traffic to get in and out of Brea is a pain during rush hour on the 57, so, save your traveling outside of those times.

Anaheim varies from being completely industrial, to residential to the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland falls in the city limits). Anaheim pretty much has it all, and, thanks to efforts by the city planners, it is starting to lose its local nickname of “Anacrime”.

There is plenty to do in Anaheim. The Honda Center hosts the Anaheim Ducks and numerous concerts throughout the year (the rodeo and circus are annual events) and right across the street is Angel Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (just don’t use that full name when talking to any Anaheim locals!). In that same area, there are plenty of casual to fancy places to hit up before the game (seriously, from Fritz Too! the strip club to Mr. Stox, a fancy restaurant). Lately a bunch of new medium-rise apartment complexes have sprung up in the area and these, combined with the close industrial and corporate offices, make it the perfect area to work, eat and play in!

If you head towards the area of Anaheim off Harbor, it is much more residential. There are some really cute neighborhoods here with older style homes. Even though the neighborhoods are pretty suburban-like, they still have the benefit of being close to the numerous grocery stores and entertainment venues.

And for accessibility, Anaheim is hard to beat. It is intersected by the 22, 91 and the 5, meaning you can get virtually anywhere in Orange County and to LA pretty easily!

All up, Anaheim is a great city that still has a lot of potential!

Yorba Linda is definitely the white picket fence area of Orange County. Every one who lives here knows each other and their business (sometimes that is good; sometimes that is bad). It is a clean, green city with lots of parks and recreational areas. Not a lot of bars, though. In fact, the only bar in Yorba Linda is The Canyon Inn, a local favorite, that some how got grandfathered in.

Most people that live in Yorba Linda have money, but, the nice thing about this city is, no one really flaunts it. Yes, they all drive very expensive SUVs and live in large houses, but, they all seem pretty down to earth.

For entertainment, unless you are attending a bbq or pool party at someone’s house, you will have to venture outside the walls of Yorba Linda as the city consists mostly of houses. That is ok, though, as nearby Placentia, Anaheim Hills and Anaheim offer plenty of shopping and entertainment options. There is one movie theater in Yorba Linda right off Imperial that is great to go to if you want to check out a movie at a discounted rate, but, get there early as the showings cell out fast. And if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth craving before hand, you can hit up Golden Spoon (same parking lot) or Cold Stone (across the street), but, these places are always packed, so, be prepared to wait!

Huntington Beach is just like any other city, until you get down by Main Street – that is where the beach and all the action are. In addition to the surf and sand, Main Street has plenty of surf shops, bars and great restaurants. The whole vibe of this area is very casual and flip flops and shorts are allowed every where. However, if you are ever looking for a semi-fancy place to take someone for dinner, Sparks and Cucina Alessa will do, but, if you want something a little more high class, you’re better off going to Newport.

If you live near Main St., the numbered streets, due to their proximity to the beach, has the most transient portion of the population – there are a lot of rental properties there and a lot of partiers. Sometimes that works out though, as you might be the one making the noise – no one will call the cops on you. In the summer, parking is a nightmare, unless you have an assigned parking space or make it to the parking structure on Main before it fills up. The area south of Main Street is a bit more subdued, but, it doesn’t have the easy access to the beach.

There are plenty of grocery stores around Main Street, but, commuting from there is a pain. Beach Boulevard is always jam packed with traffic and that’s the main way to get to the nearest freeway (the 405).

Lately, due to the popularity of UFC, going out to the bars at night has gotten to be a bit sketchy and Huntington has taken a turn for the worse. One of my friends got punched for no reason by a UFC wanna be because he accidentally bumped into him at the bar. If you want to avoid that crowd, Perqs and Fred’s are good choices. Other than that, Huntington Beach is very safe and you’ll feel like you’re on a permanent vacation!