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I used to get very confused about the location of Nutwood Ave. because there seemed to be one in almost every city in Orange County. But the neighborhood I loved most on Nutwood Ave. is located near the Cal State Fullerton Campus. It stretched from about State College Blvd. to a little past Acacia Ave. before it ends at Victoria Dr. I would drive along this street every day for almost two years while I was attending the CSUF campus. How I wished I lived in this neighborhood so I wouldn’t have to pay parking fees or leave my house an hour and a half before class to make sure I found parking on time. What I liked most about the homes here were that they were all beautifully kept even though they seemed to be of the older generation of houses. It made it feel like you were visiting a neighborhood back in the late 80’s early 90’s where modernism still hadn’t caught on. While the neighborhood had its antique like charms you could hit State College Blvd. and realize you were anywhere but back in the early 90’s. To help make life easier on the college students the surrounding area is swamped with fast food, Starbucks, and a crowd favorite I’d suggest next time you in this area, Panera’s. They have tasty soup bowls in fresh baked bread that are to die for.

The neighborhood found on Bolivia Drive is made up of the ideal characteristics many people look for in a good neighborhood. The turnaround of residents was very low so many of the people have been living there for a very long time. My friend for example has lived there most of his life and his parents do plan to retire here. Every other home seems to have a dog or cat of their own so there is not problem with pets here. Brazil Dr. is just one of the many streets found in the network of neighborhoods that all have names themed after Spanish countries like Bolivia Dr., Columbia Dr., Trinidad Way and Honduras way. The major cross streets would be Valley View St. and Orangethorpe Ave. which is a good street to be next two since it can quickly take you through Buena Park and Anaheim if needed. The closest freeway to this neighborhood is the 91 frwy. I think this is an ideal location for older couples and families it might be a bit to quiet for singles unless quiet is what you prefer. Parking also is never an issue so you don’t have to worry about that.

The area I’ve become most acquainted with is near the intersection of Lemon Ste and Ave. I have a friend who recently purchased a home there and the family loves it. The neighborhood itself seems rather safe and calm. The neighbors mostly keep to themselves but don’t really cause too much of an issue when new faces come around. What I like most about this neighborhood is that it’s part of a more secluded area of Anaheim so there aren’t too many rows of apartments, schools, and duplexes. Many of the homes here are single family homes. Another feature is that it is a very pet friendly neighborhood is that is something you are looking for. You can see people walking their pets all hours of the day. If pet’s is something you are trying to avoid then maybe this area is not necessarily for you. For a fancy dining experience you should also check out the White House located near the corner of Anaheim Blvd. and Vermont Ave. As one of the more upscale restaurants in the city plan to spend a hefty amount on dinner for two along with smaller portion sizes than at the local restaurants. It could turn out to be a memorable experience.

What I love most about the city of Yorba Linda is that there are a variety of neighbor hoods to chose from and none of them would be a bad place to choose. During my time as a student at cal State Fullerton and working in the Placentia area I got to travel around Yorba Lind quite a bit. The city is very well maintained, clean, friendly and inviting. I know that the homes found here are not cheap so many of the families living in this city are well within the upper middle class and higher. The sense of safety is something that is hardly questionable because the neighborhoods all look safe. Freeway accessibility isn’t one of the city’s strong suite but the benefits of staying in a safe neighborhood would out way the convenience of being able to jump on a highway any day, at least for me. I don’t see Yorba Linda being a city to attractive for singles or young couples since the nightlife isn’t too prominent out here and schools aren’t to close by. Another nice city on my list of places to move too when I’m older however is Yorba Linda. I’m excited to see the day its possible.

The area of Broadway between Harbor Blvd. and Anaheim Blvd. has undergone a huge transformation since the days I remember it as a child. What used to be the local post office has been changed into a trendy museum named The Muzeo. The post office has gotten an upgrade and remains on the same street just close to Harbor Blvd. than it used to be. The implementation of the Muzeo has created a vision of providing a whole downtown experience to this area of Anaheim since new lofts have sprung up in the area selling the fact that residents are buying into a whole cultural experience when they choose to live here. I think that’s a nice way to attract residents to the city. I’m not sure how affordable the lofts are but I do like the direction the city is taking to enhance the quality of entertainment. The MUZEO has hosted a number of exhibits ranging from artistic to musical to animal exhibits as well. The location also has a number of option to walk to including café’s and a few food chains near the Anaheim Public Library if you wanted to take a stroll around the city your museum visit.

Talk about ideal family living. The neighborhoods found along Sunkist street have always stood out to me because they seem to cater perfectly to potential home owners interested in finding a permanent place to raise their children. There hasn’t been one neighborhood that I’ve seen along Sunkist street that didn’t seem well kept and clean and there are a number of elementary school and Jr. high’s found near here which help to ensure residents are able to stay in the area for a long time while their kids finish school. The area I am most familiar with is near Juarez Park, which is right next to Benito Juarez elementary school. The Sunkist Library can also be found here on the corner of Sunkist and Ames Ave. There is heavier traffic during the morning drop off hours and afternoon pick up times but overall you will not be riddled with constant traffic jams in these neighborhoods. If you’re interested in knowing about your freeway access it’s not too great you do have to travel a bit to reach either the 57frwy or the 91 frwy over on State College Blvd. just past La Palma Ave. Even so I still feel like Sunkist St. has some great things to offer its residents.

Modjeska Park is one of the parks I have a lot of fond memories in. I remember as a child not being able to pronounce the name let alone even remember how to get there. To where as now as an adult I can’t believe how confused I was when I think about how easy it is to get there. The park stretches from Nutwood St. to Empire St. and has a large amount of grassy space ideal for small football games, soccer, games of catch or frisby. The surrounding neighborhoods are also idealic in that they are well kept, have beautiful lawns and you can sense the neighborhood take pride in maintaining its area clean and presentable. The park also has a basketball courts and small playground set for kids. I like that the benches are not too close together which allows for some privacy if you just need to spend some time alone. You can see women and their friends working out taking laps around the park even after dark which tells me the neighborhood should be fairly safe for them to feel comfortable doing that. I wouldn’t mind someday living in one of the homes surrounding the park when I’m ready to afford comfortable living.

I’ve had a few friends that lived in this area and I always wanted to learn more about it. I know that this isn’t a large city at all not compared to some the surrounding cities like Anaheim or Whittier. What I liked most was that the neighborhoods in the area I visited were very large and had a substantial amount of land. I don’t know if all the areas are like this one but I also like that the neighborhoods are up in the hills which adds to its charm. One of the major complaints however is that with its quaintness and sort of distance from the surrounding hustle and bustle of the other cities, La Habra does not have great freeway access at all. That to me would be a major concern since I work in a highly industrialized part of Orange County and freeway access is crucial to me as it might be too many others. I think La Habra is a city I would look into when I’m closer to the ideal career and ready to settle down for a slower paced lifestyle. Right now that just doesn’t seem to be the time. I think this city is ideal for older couples, retirees or newly-weds ready to start a family in a nice area.

I received my B.A. from this school as did many of my friends within various majors. While the campus is huge, beautiful and has plenty of courses to choose from there are a few things you should be aware of. The positives about the Cal State Fullerton campus is that there are hundreds of courses to choose from and a variety of very skilled professors on campus to help you get through it all. I think I enjoyed meeting the professors in my major course requirement classes more than I did when I was complete the general education courses though. The school has a good reputation for its baseball sports program so if you’re a fan of baseball that would be a perk. The biggest issue I had with this campus was that parking was one of the most terrible aspects of this school it was amazing to think that even with all the new parking lots and parking structures there was never enough room to find a space in a decent amount of time which always baffled me. The school itself also has a colorful history to it full of up and downs and spooky stories of murders and suicides that were some of the most interesting things I could learn about my campus.

I’ve only been to the area of Seacrest Drive a few times but have had a lovely experience during every visit. The street itself ends at a cul-de-sac which leads into the Fay Lane Park lawns. I think that this is an ideal place to raise a family. I like that the neighbors all know each other and aren’t hesitant to say hello which is nice. There aren’t too many homes that go for up for sale since I’ve began visiting the area which leads me to believe that many of the residents have been living in their homes for awhile. That type of familiarity is very appealing to me and I feel would be great for couples looking for longevity in a neighborhood. Another feature I like about this neighborhood is that it’s close to Chapman Ave. without being overly intrusive to the laid back environment of the homes found here. When you need to find a place to eat, shop or spend some time with the family there is plenty you can find on Chapman Ave. If you’re a fan of fish taco’s I would highly recommend Las Cotija’s taqueria on the corner of Chapman Ave. and Euclid. They’re great.

Lampson Ave. is a fairly long street that stretches from parts of Anaheim straight through to Garden Grove as well as Orange. I generally would use this street when I wanted to skip the traffic and congestion of the main streets that parallel it like Chapman Ave. or Garden Grove Blvd. You can get to some of the same popular destination like the Block at Orange or the retail plaza’s on Harbor Blvd. only a few minutes faster since you skip huge traffic lights. Along this street are mostly small residential neighborhoods, a few elementary schools and quite a bit of stop signs. The street is not heavily traveled but you can run into a few delays with slow drivers since it’s only a two lane road with one lane designated to the opposite direction. I think that this street is best to look into if you are planning to find a permanent home to start a family. The neighborhoods are quiet and clean which makes for an inviting place to call home. The closer you do get to Lampson and Lewis St. however you can see the rapid change from residential street to more commercial locations like the Block and a selection of office suites near the 22 frwy.

Fairhaven Ave. in the city of Tustin was a nice neighborhood that I felt kept a good balance between having things in convenient places and not being to overcrowded where it took away from its appeal to potential residents .I like that these neighborhoods are around main streets like Tustin Ave. and 17th street which allows for easy access around town as well as good shopping centers. I especially like the one located on 17th and Tustin Ave. because there is a Claim Jumpers, Blockbuster video store and smaller food chains like Quizno’s when you’re on the go. The 22 frwy and the 55frwy would be the nearest highways nearby. Much of the area surrounding Fairhaven is business in nature so the areas are clean and rather busy during the day time hours. I think this street is best suited for singles or couples without children just because you have a sense of being near so much dining and entertainment it just seems like a better fit to me. There are a few networks of streets that are large single family homes that keep their distance from the busyness which is great if that’s what you’re looking for. The versatility of the neighborhoods here is what I like.

I had an old friend that lived in this part of Buena Park and I can’t say that I was too fond of the neighborhoods here. I felt like it was very over crowded and there wasn’t too much maintenance that residents cared to do to keep the neighborhood looking nice. The part of Carol Dr. that I was most familiar with was the part that extended from Magnolia Ave and came to a dead end right past Edward Ave. There were a mix of single family homes and apartments in this neighborhood and the parking situation was never easy. Evening and weekend were the worst to try to find a decent parking spot. The neighborhood here is near the Fullerton Municipal Airport so it could get a bit noisy at times. One of the closest freeways would be the 91 frwy and the 5 frwy which are both good to be next too since they can lead to any of the other major freeways in Orange County. I don’t know that I would recommend house hunting in this area just because I have a different standard of what I’m looking for in a nice neighborhood, but don’t hesitate to take a drive by and see if perhaps things have changed.

Cypress College located on the corner of Lincoln Ave. and Valley View St. is one of the better colleges I experienced. What I liked most was that even during the morning hours when school was its most busy you could always find parking in the school parking lot, if you didn’t mind walking a bit. Having to get to school and hour or more before class just to make sure you could find parking 10 minutes before class was not my idea of convenient, and when you had an 8 am start that would mean like a 6 am alarm clock needed to be set. The class selection was a bit limited so it’s essential that you register as early as possible to ensure that you don’t have to waist a semester getting courses you don’t need. I like the college’s track area it makes for a great place to work out before or after class, and especially on the weekend. The campus also hosts a local swapmeet that is quite popular among the local residents. You can find cool knick knacks or great deals on clothes and jewelry. Over all I enjoyed my experience at Cypress College, I’m confident you will too.

The majority of Ball Rd. consists of business, industrial patches, apartment and a few residential patches as well. I have a thing about living to close to major streets when considering a place to live. I feel like the sound of the constant traffic and the variety of people that pass by your home on a daily basis just aren’t appealing to me. I realize that is a personal preference and some people may love the fact that they can hear the sound of ongoing traffic from their living room window. I do feel however it is a great place for singles, students or couples who don’t intend to begin on the family journey just yet because the area is decent and living expenses seem affordable. For the family types I would be cautious of raising children in this area if you prefer to have the conventional type of neighborhood for your kids. The word convenience comes to mind when I think of Ball Road. There are restaurants, gas stations, plaza’s and freeways near this road. If those are some major perks you look for in your living area then Ball Road may not be so bad of a fit for you after all.

Another very retail rich Boulevard is Garden Grove Blvd in the city of Garden Grove. While driving down this road you will run into a lot of traffic from business, hospitals and offices found along here. On weekends don’t expect to get through here quickly since many of the people will be visiting places like Mervyn’s, restaurants like the Boston Market Place, Red Lobster and so on. One of the busiest parts of this street to me has to be on the corner of Garden Grove Blvd and Harbor Blvd. You can find over 20 retail location near this intersection alone. One of my favorite places to visit while in this area varies from the local Dairy Queen which has some great chicken strips when you’re looking for a quick meal to go. Or The Boston Market Place is a bit more expensive but has that homemade flavor to its takeout food that sometimes is worth the extra cash when you have it. Red Lobster is another popular hangout. If seafood is something you’re into the Red Lobster here has a great atmosphere, good food and plenty of people to mingle with at the bar. It does get packed on night and weekends so make sure you arrive with plenty of time to find a good seat in the house.

If you’re looking for a park with more seclusion than inclusion with others then Hillcrest Park might be a great place to visit. Located on Harbor Blvd. the park has a number of ways to gain access. The park sits on a slope so you can drive around to the back end of the park and find a nice place to sit and relax, read a book or take a quiet nap away from the traffic. Another option is to walk the trails this park is definitely more suited for working out in or enjoying during the moments you’d like to just get away from the city. The park even has a small lake with adds to the serenity of the place. Along Lemon St. and the higher part of the park you’ll find a number of small residential streets with homes that also indulge in the seclusion of being located on the hill. The network of homes found here are very well kept and show signs of affluent residents. I would love to find a home here as well. It would be a nice retreat from the types of neighborhoods found in the heart of the Anaheim and Fullerton areas.

This part of Anaheim is heavily industrialized and there isn’t much of a neighborly vibe. The few times that I’ve traveled this far into Anaheim has been for job interviews or finding my local cable repair shop. As a potential residential home owner I really don’t see much appeal to this part of town. The only accessible frwy would be the 91 frwy and schools, parks, and other entertainment type centers are not close by. If you did manage to find a few residential streets they would be one without much character and I suppose that would be subject to what your standards were for a nice neighborhood. I like to see more homes than business and parking lots. If you’re a potential business owner, perhaps looking at the real estate in this area would be beneficial. There are plenty of suites and office space for you to set up a corporate headquarters if needed. I wouldn’t plan on opening a business that relied on heavy customer flow due to the lack of homes in the surrounding area. This part of the city is definitely better suited for call centers, repair centers, dispatch locations or similar types of operating businesses.

When I think of a nice park to take children I don’t envision it being so close to major streets like Ponderosa Park is. It’s located on the corner of Orangewood Ave. and Haster St. which is one of the cities busy intersections. If children are playing ball on the grass it’s very easy for them to run off and chase a stray ball into traffic. As far as I’m aware the park doesn’t have the best reputation and isn’t one of the best park Orange County has to offer. I do feel like it has some potential if it was cared for a bit better. The surrounding area is mostly apartments so there are always children and families walking around the park and neighborhood. If a serene atmosphere is what you’re looking for this wouldn’t be a good fit for you. I would suggest this area if you like living in the fast paced environment where noise is not an issue. If you travel up to Chapman Ave. you will also find plenty of places to stop in at for a bite to eat. Or you can stop at the local grocery store before the park and pick up items for a nice picnic of your own.

While finding side streets that would help me get to school faster, I came across 9th Street. It’s a fairly quiet street that starts at Cerritos Ave. in Anaheim and ends at Garden Grove Blvd. in Garden Grove. Along the way 9th St. has some beautiful friendly neighborhoods. They are clean and well kept, the traffic flow isn’t very heavy so it offers a sense of escapism from the busy city streets surrounding them. You can also find a park along 9th St. called Stoddard Park. The park is located between Katella Ave. and Orangewood Ave. and offers a great place to waste some time and relax. A variety of homes can be found on 9th. They vary from apartment complexes, to houses and duplexes. I would recommend the area to just about anyone whether your single, starting a family or looking for a place to retire and settle down in. I like that the street is also close to some of the major avenues as well so you never feel too far from the action. One thing I will say is that 9th St. doesn’t have the best access to frwy’s so keep that in mind is frwy access is a major concern for you.

I wouldn’t mean to offend anyone that chooses to call the neighborhoods near Dogwood Ave., home but to me things just seem to be very crowded and not to clean here and it shows in how the properties are maintained. Although Dogwood Ave. stretches from Wichita St. to Mohican Ave. it intercepts Chippewa Ave., Onondaga Ave., Iroquois Ave and Mohawk Ave. all in a span of one block. All the available living space here is apartments so the parking is very hard to find on nights and weekends. Many of the apartment complexes do offer parking spaces for tenants but it doesn’t seem to be nearly enough to accommodate the needs of the residents. Dogwood Ave. does split and then reappear in a much shorter stretch west of Euclid St. The living area here is very different from the previous part of Dogwood mentioned. This part of the street begins and ends between Loara St. and Dresden St. The living area here consists of single family houses. There is hardly any traffic here if it isn’t the residents or surrounding neighbors trying to get onto one of the major streets like La Palma Ave. or Euclid St. which is nice.

A few things to keep in mind when considering house hunting in the neighborhood on Ontario Dr. and its surrounding areas is that this neighborhood is in a heavily traveled part of the city. I don’t recommend this area if you are uncomfortable with letting your children play near heavy traffic or don’t have the time to make sure they don’t wonder off into the busy street. When I think of my ideal residential neighborhood I would like for it to be less fast paced and close knit so that I don’t have to worry as much who’s traveling down my streets or in the area that I might not know. The neighborhood is all single family homes that are decently maintained, finding parking was never an issue the various times I went down to visit friends here. Ontario Dr. only stretches from Trask Ave. to Imperial Ave. but if you take a drive around the other small streets surrounding it you’ll find a network of homes and neighborhoods that might help you decide if this area is good for you. The freeway closest to Ontario Drive is the 22frwy but you can easily connect to the 5frwy, the 57 frwy, and the 405 frwy from here.

As one of the many residential streets that run within the neighborhoods found near West St. and Chapman Ave., Samuel Drive is home to a fairly quiet community. You can find a lot of traffic running along West Street but only because this neighborhood is so close to Disneyland, Downtown Disney and the Anaheim Convention Center. Due to the tremendous amount of tourism that occurs in this area, living here can be seen as a bit of hassle during peak tourism seasons. When you drive away from the major street however Samuel Dr. only stretches a block or so to Robert Lane. I had a good friend that lived here and no matter the time, night or day the neighborhood always seemed safe. The neighbors were always friendly and have lived in the homes for several years so there was a nice report among the residents. You can find a string of tiny residential streets mostly ending in cul-de-sac’s surrounding much of the area around Samuel Dr. There were never any issues for parking since many homes had garages or driveways. If a peaceful place is something you’re interested in finding, I would suggest taking a drive down Samuel Dr. in Anaheim and seeing if something catches your eye.

I attended this college straight after high school and it definitely had its pros and cons. The thing I liked about the school was the admissions process was not difficult or a hassle to get done it was very simple and straight forward. I like that they had a large selection of classes available so I was not struggling with creating a decent itinerary I could make work for me. As a full-time employee while I attended college, I like that the college was near major streets and had decent access to the 91frwy when I needed it. If I had time to kill between classes I liked how close it was to outside restaurants and food so I can easily walk off campus for awhile and return on time. My biggest pet peeve about this college is its parking availability. It was horrible and it made no sense to pay for a parking pass that almost never guaranteed me a spot on the campus parking lots to begin with. With that said much of the surrounding neighborhoods became the first come first serve parking for students. So if you plan on living in the surrounding area of the college be aware of college students trying to save a few dollars because they won’t mind walking a block or two to save a buck.

I worked around this neighborhood for about three years and always admired how quaint and serene the area looked here. Eckhoff St. doesn’t run for very long and is almost split into two type or areas. When you travel down Eckhoff on the North side of Orangewood Ave. it is really all business plaza’s, office suite and very much a corporate type of environment. When you travel down the same street but to the South side of Orangewood Ave. it’s a very different surrounding indeed. On this side you can find a variety of beautiful single family homes, clean residential streets and still not very much traffic at all. It seems like a great place to buy a home if you’re thinking of settling down and starting a family. I like that it’s very close to frwys like the 5 frwy and the 57frwy. I like that residents seem to take good care of their properties which just adds to the areas appeal. When you or the family decided they want to head out into the city Eckhoff is close to Main St. which is very much a main street for many fast food chains, restaurants, plaza’s and more to make a night or day-out fun.

I had the chance to check out the neighborhoods along Roberta Ave. a while back when I was visiting friends. The street itself is not very long and actually pretty secluded from the main traffic streets. It’s located between Euclid St and Brookhurst St. primarily. What I like most about the neighborhoods found here was how close nit everything seemed. The area was clean, neighbors always look friendly and houses were well maintained. On the corner of Brookhurst St. and Roberta Ave. you’ll find the Orangethorpe School Park. One thing I find strange is that west of Brookhurst St. Roberta Ave. changes to Page Ave. for about a block then back to Roberta which I always found odd. The area west of Brookhurst St. is also a very quiet residential neighborhood. It ends at a cul-de-sac which adds a nice touch of privacy to the neighborhood. I also like how close the freeways are to Roberta. You can catch the 91 frwy or the 5 frwy very quickly. The balance between privacy and quietude and access to the more fast paced streets of the city is done well in these neighborhoods. I wouldn’t mind finding a nice place to settle down in here.

Lincoln Ave. is a very busy street due to the tremendous amount of businesses that can be found there. The fact that it stretches across various cities adds to its retail appeal. I’ve lived in Orange County for the majority of my adult life and use this street to get around very frequently. You can find popular fast food location like Jack n’ the Box, Carl’s Jr., Rally’s and more as well as grocery stores such as Food 4 Less and Vons. A place worth checking out while driving down Lincoln is the East Anaheim Shopping Center. It’s undergone some renovations since the first time I remember visiting there. But all the upgrades have been for the best. You can find a Ralphs to some grocery shopping, a Sally’s beauty supply, K-Mart and Rite-Aid and a Home Town Buffet are some of the staples there that I haven’t seen leave. New additions includes a Anne’s Linnen’s for drapery and fabrics and they remodeled a corner of the center on directly on Lincoln Ave. and State College Blvd. that includes a T-Mobile store, a Coffee Bean and a few other retailers that adds a nice touch to the plaza I remember visiting as a child.

Located off the 91 frwy and Kraemer Blvd., Camelot Golfland is a fun venue for kids and kids at heart. This venue has undergone a few renovations and upgrades throughout the years but it has been able to maintain its genuine charm. The thing I loved most about this place as a child was the fact that it’s built to look like a small castle. A castle in the middle of the city life just seemed magical to me. Inside you can find tons or arcade games, air hockey tables and more. Also part of the premises is a miniature golf course. I wasn’t too fond of the activity until I got older and felt like video games were to “juvenile” for me. I remember having my 8th grade graduation party here and it was a blast. More activities include small rides, go-carts, skating rinks, bumper boats and laser tag area to name a few. There is plenty of parking and affordable snack bars during your day at the venue. It’s easy access to the 91 frwy makes it easily accessible to visitors. During the Halloween season, Camelot gets a mini-makeover and transforms into a small haunted house. I’d recommend it for a casual date, fun with family or just looking to pass some time with friends.

A recent relocation of the office I work for has led me to get to know the city of Tustin a bit better. A street I like to frequent is First Street. If you’re in the area or also work around here it’s a great place to check out for lunch. There are a variety of places to grab a quick bite to eat. From McDonald’s to Weinerschnitzel to smaller specialty café’s like the Sandwich Box there’s plenty to choose from. A small restaurant I just tried a few days ago was John’s Place. It can be found on the corner of First St. and Prospect Ave. I haven’t been able to make it inside yet, but from the drive thru window the smell of the kitchen aromas are wonderful. The chicken Cesar salad is one of my favorites there. The dressing has a tinge of sourness that compliments the grilled chicken neatly layered on top. The chicken itself is tender and flavorful enough to make you want to try other chicken platters as well. Served with a side of warm, fresh buttered toast the Cesar salad meal makes a great lunch option. So stop in and see if John’s Place is a place for you.

I’ve lived around North Loara Street for some time now and I feel like it is an extremely family friendly street. With that comes its pros and cons at least from my perspective. I have yet to have children of my own let alone a family of my own but if I did I might like Loara St. more than I do now. Along this street drivers can find two elementary schools, a local post office and access to a shopping plaza that includes a Walmart, a Forever 21 and a few other stores. The traffic around here is usually at its most heaviest during the morning hours when parent are dropping their children off for school, lunch time and afternoons would be the next busiest when parent and school buses do their daily pick-ups. The neighborhood options vary from convenient apartment living to large single family homes that make it easy to walk kids to school. I wouldn’t suggest this neighborhood for singles or couples without kids or who do not intend to have any soon. The night life is pretty much non-existent and the surrounding areas are far more family friendly than anything else. So just keep that in mind when you house hunt around here.

No complaints from me about this college campus. After experiencing about three or four other campuses prior to calling Orange Coast College my college of choice, I felt comfortable and happy with attending this school to receive my Associates degree. First and foremost the thing that I like most was how easy it was to find parking during night school, which is when I went to class. Perhaps during the day the campus had a different aura. I liked that it was close to the 55 frwy as well, so it was no hassle to get home fast. I avoided the frwy however as my route to get to school though. Getting off work during rush hour traffic times (4:30pm-6:30pm) I opted for taking Fairview St. instead. After parking, I was happy with all my professors while I attended the campus. They all had interesting characters and managed to make my college experience, after many tries at other campuses, engaging. I was actually excited every semester to register and see what type of professors I’d experience next. If class was over early the college is also close to a few local hotspots, bars, restaurants and shopping malls that always made it fun to get off early. Orange Coast is definitely a college I’d recommend. Every semester there was quiet the adventure which is probably why they were the fastest two years I ever expereienced in my academic career.

I had a friend who lived in this neighborhood and while I loved visiting my friend I didn’t care too much for the area that she lived in. Not that it wasn’t a decent place to live it just wasn’t for me. This small street is not a through street so residents do take up most of the parking if not all the parking up and down Alwood Ave. With that said both sides of Alwood Ave. are riddled with apartment complex after complex. Some offer garage parking while most did not. So depending on the time of day you were in the area it could take a few minutes to find any parking at all while most of the time you had parallel park and squeeze into any available opening. I never really saw to many children outside only a handful every once in awhile so I’m assuming many of the residents were singles or couples and families without children. What I did like about the area she lived in was that it was close to grocery stores and a shopping strip that had a theatre, dining and shopping just around the corner on Chapman Ave. and Brookhurst St.

Manchester Ave. in Anaheim has to be another one of my favorite go to streets when traffic is something I’m not in the mood for. The part of Manchester Ave. I frequently use begins at Lincoln Ave. and stretches down towards Ball Road where it then turns into Disneyland Drive. The street runs perfectly parallel to the 5 frwy during this stretch to which is great and there are very few traffic lights to hit. Residential areas can be found along Manchester but they’re primarily secluded from the traffic as well so all you really see while traveling down this road is a few cars and the high walls of the frwy. Near Lincoln Ave. and Manchester Ave. there are quite a few tire shops, mechanics and car brake shops. While near Manchester Ave. and Ball Rd. it starts to get a whole lot busier. This is where Manchester turns into Disneyland Drive and takes drives straight to Downtown Disney and Disney land parking lots. You can also choose to drive straight past these destinations but be careful to pay attention to the traffic signs posted because it is rather confusing. If you get caught in the Disneyland parking structure don’t panic, just let them know about the mishap and they’ll be happy to show you the way out. It’s embarrassingly happened to me more than once.

Located on La Palma Ave. between the corners of Harbor Blvd. and Anaheim Blvd. I feel like La Palma Park definitely more of a sports friendly park than anything else. With it being half stadium and half open lawn there isn’t any playground set like you’d find at a typical park. Glover Stadium is commonly used to hold various high school and jr. high graduation ceremonies as well as countless orange county football games for many of the same schools. I had my high school graduation there and I remember it being a memorable experience. The park also serves as a fair ground during Cinco de Mayo. With rides, games and food to help entertain guests, La Palma Park is a tremendously popular destination during the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The park seems to offer a great location for gatherings and small city events because it’s easy to find and has ample room to accommodate most events. Old school car shows is another favorite hosted at this park. With fast food found nearby all along Harbor Blvd. actually, visitors can take a break from the park when they feel they need it and do a little city walking and find a place to eat with friends.

The area of Orange Ave. that I am familiar with the most begins at the intersection of Euclid St. down to Brookhurst St. although the street stretches through Anaheim, Buena Park and Cypress. I used to travel down this street often when I lived off Brookhurst St. and even looked into buying home in this neighborhood a few years back. We took notice of what the surrounding neighborhoods in the area were like and over all it always seemed peaceful here. There seemed to be no trouble with the parking situation since many of the homes have driveways and garages. The streets were clean, yards well taken care of etc. If your ever in the area and in the mood for great Italian food there is a wonderful restaurant on the corner of Orange Ave. and Brookhurst St. with a reputation that sometimes proceeds itself with the local residents named Cortina’s. I have yet to try a bad meal here so if you love Italian food pick anything and you won’t be disappointed. You can also visit the Italian Market they own and get fresh baked deserts, breads, meats, cheeses and wines to take home. A few minor con’s however about the neighborhoods found on this side of Orange Ave. are that they do not have very good frwy access. You have to drive a few blocks on heavy traffic streets like Brookhurst St. or Euclid St. just to get to the 5frwy. Schools aren’t too close either so if transportation arrangements are something you and your family have to consider when it comes to getting to work and school, just keep this in mind when house hunting on Orange Ave.

My office recently relocated to a new building in the Tustin area and as I become more familiar with my surroundings I’m actually finding some wonderful new neighborhoods and streets I wouldn’t mind living in. One of my new favorite streets is Yorba St. in Tustin. I’ve become quite familiar with the area located between 17th St. and 1st St. There are primarily businesses and office space from Irvine Blvd/4th. St. straight through to 1st St. But it’s the neighborhoods I see on my daily commute to and from work from Irvine Blvd./4th St. to 17th St. that I’m starting to fall in love with. The neighborhood is gorgeous, quiet, with many cul-de-sacs off to one side and small residential circles on the other. I feel like this would be an ideal area for families and couples looking for a nice place to settle down. I know I would love to find a home here. The neighborhood also has easy access to the 55 frwy. which happens to run parallel to Yorba St. and can quickly connect you to the 5 frwy and 91 frwy as well. I did notice however that Yorba St. cuts off to the side after 17th St. and continues down to Chapman Ave. but I have yet to explore that far down. Maybe that will be next on my to-do list.

Citron St. in Anaheim isn’t all that long of a stretch but the neighborhoods found along this street range from 20+ unit apartments, to duplexes, small single family homes with average curb appeal to large houses with spectacular face value. The area between La Palma Ave. and Romneya Dr. is a gated off section of apartments that have multiple units. Along with multiple units, comes multiple families, children and day time activity that doesn’t lend itself to much peace and quiet, so if that sounds like something that works for you this might be a place to consider. The area of Citron St. from La Palma Ave. to about Lincoln Ave. has a more serene atmosphere. The residential area here is primarily houses, with beautiful lawns, not to many children seen throughout the neighborhood, definitely an overall quiet neighborhood. Then there’s the stretch of Citron from Lincoln Ave. to about Vermont St. and this is where more of the apartment living starts up again. You can also find houses along here but they are not as well maintained so the neighborhood appeal seems to decrease, at least for me. Along with more apartments comes less parking space and a bit more traffic so be aware of that if you decide to look into moving here.

Harbor Blvd., talk about prime real-estate from a business owner perspective. The street itself stretches through several cities including Fullerton, Anaheim and Garden Grove. The particular area I find the most appealing is actually in Garden Grove but a drive down Harbor Blvd. any which way is bound to have something that catches your attention. Starting at around Chapman Ave. to just a little beyond Garden Grove Blvd. you can find Target, Mervyn’s, Outback Steakhouse, Joes’ Crab Shack, Red Robbin, fast food chains, banks, grocery stores and more. A personal recommendation for the sushi lover’s, if your ever in this area you should make a pit stop at Tokyo Love. It’s very much a local favorite, unpretentious and inviting. An ode to the city it resides in, the Garden Grove Roll is good to try but the must have, is the cucumber salad. Sweet, tangy, tart, it’s a house specialty and one of my favorites along with the owner and sushi chef, Joe. He’s a character and always willing to mingle with guests and share a few drinks when the time is right. Across the way from Tokyo Love on Harbor Blvd. between Chapman Ave. and Lampson Ave. is one of the best gilatto shops in the city. They’re flavors are unique and change daily so it’s always fun to see what’s on the menu. Make sure to pick a few favorites so your flavor of choice will always be available.

I have worked and lived near Chapman Ave. in Orange and it has transformed into a very commonly visited avenue especially near the intersection of City Dr. because this is were you’ll find The Block which is an outside mall and shopping center, the University of California Irvine’s Medical Center and some of Orange County’s justice system facilities. The morning and afternoon traffic from the high rise offices around City Drive and Chapman creates a hotbed for traffic in this area so be prepared for that. A great feature this intersection does have is its accessibility to freeways like the 5, the 22 and the 57 which is very convenient since they are some of Orange County’s major freeways to get around the county. One interesting thing about Chapman Ave in Orange is that it oddly enough runs parallel to Chapman Ave in Fullerton, which is something I could never quite understand how it could be possible. The street itself does not loop around from city to city which was my first guess as to how this could be. For this reason when you need to make your way to Chapman Ave. make sure to pay attention what city it is associated with because you could end up on very opposite sides of the county if you’re not careful.

The neighborhood found around Laster Avenue is fairly serene and quiet. I had a friend that rented a home in this area and I always admired how friendly the neighborhood was. There was never too much congestion or traffic. There were never issues finding parking on nights or weekends when I stopped over to visit. In the evening you could see residents walking their pets or taking a stroll for exercise. I did notice that the majority of the people in the neighborhood were elderly or well established family households with small children. I don’t recommend moving here if you live for the energetic atmosphere of the city lifestyle since there isn’t much to do. The neighborhood is close enough to major streets that if you wanted to venture out for some entertainment, there are things to do just a few lights away on Katella Ave. I think this area is well suited for families and couples that are looking for homely neighborhoods to settle into. If you’re lucky enough to find a home in this location since most of its residents don’t seem to leave very frequently, I’m sure you won’t regret the decision to call this place home.

I adored the city of Costa Mesa and still do for a number of reasons. The option of the beach was close by but still far enough that you didn’t have to deal with the constant summer beach traffic that places like Huntington Beach and Newport Beach have to deal with. Access to freeways like the 55, 405 and 73 which could get to you to just about anywhere in Orange County was a great plus. I also attended Orange Coast College for a few years and during that time there was no better place than Costa Mesa for me. I was happy and secretly jealous when a good friend of mine scored an apartment near Del Mar Ave. I was always happy to visit on weekends and stay over after classes were done. I think Costa Mesa is a great city for singles especially if you’re taking care of school in the area, you have entertainment and a fun night life just a few minutes away up the 55 freeway if you want to head into Newport Beach. One minor pet peeve with the Costa Mesa neighborhoods I did visit, is parking. With such small residential streets and cul-de-sac’s it was never easy finding a place to park no matter what time of day. So if you can score an apartment or home with its own driveway or garage, that’s perfect.

Ohio St. is a fairly small residential street located off the 57 freeway and Orangethorpe Ave. The types of homes there are all single family and definitely seem to be older in style meaning none seem to be all that modern or distinct in their design. The over all appearance of the neighborhood could be improved if residence maintained their yards a little better or took care of the street debris found outside the homes. I’ve visited the area quite a bit since I had friends that lived close by and I also worked in this city for a few years. The residents don’t seem to change consistently since many of the families I met at the time had been living here for over 10 years. I’m not sure if it’s the affordability or the familiarity with the area that kept them there for so long but as a new potential place to move into I think I’d take my time to look around the surrounding areas before choosing a home here. No offense to anyone that resides here, I’m sure there are some good reasons to live on Ohio St., I personally am just looking for a different standard in the neighborhood I choose to settle into for the long haul.

During my early 20’s was when I first began working in the city of Placentia which before that time was just another city I knew very little if nothing at all about. After a year or two of making friends and taking the time to drive around the area on my lunch breaks I became very fond of this city. I had several friends that lived along both the North and South end of Kraemer Blvd. The neighborhoods I visited were all single family homes, well kept, beautifully manicured and the streets were always clean. During the day it was nice to see the neighbors be very friendly and at night the area was just as quiet and serene which added to the level of safety families mist feel living here. I also enjoy the fact that while it has the wholesome neighborhood appeal, Placentia is also full of places to head to for shopping, dining and relaxation. I liked going to the Crossroads Shopping Center and the Placentia Town Center Shopping Center located on Kraemer Blvd. and Yorba Linda Blvd. quite often. If and when I should be ready to settle down and start a family I would definitely choose the city of Placentia as one of my top 5 cities I’d love to live in.

The neighborhoods found in and along Associated Rd. between Bastanchury Rd. and Yorba Linda Blvd. in Fullerton are not bad neighborhoods at all, per say. If you are looking into living near here or on this street I would definitely say to be aware of the student life brewing here. The majority of times I visited these neighborhoods were for frat parties, parties in general and to visit my college friends. With that said if you are currently living the student lifestyle then Associated Rd. might be a place of interest for you since it’s close to schools and colleges, easy access to the 57 freeway and very close to places like the Brea Mall, Target, fast food chains and a number of other businesses that would benefit you. On the flip side of being a student, if you’re looking for a place to settle down and raise a family I’m not sure this area would be a good fit, unless you don’t have issues with your neighbors changing as often as the seasons do and putting up with the occasional keg party during finals. Parking is of course one of the major pitfalls in this area since living is so condensed and the cleanliness of the neighborhoods its spectacular but fairly decent for the type of going’s on that happen down Associated Rd.

I discovered the Fullerton Arboretum while attending school at California State University Fullerton. As part of the campus itself the arboretum lends itself as a learning facility, a recreational area with some historical value and just a wonderful place to visit when you want a small escape from the concrete jungle of the city. One of the most interesting features of the arboretum is the fact that it sustains a variety of ecosystems in one single area. In one day of walking through here you can visit the climates and see the vegetations of Redwood forests, tropical scenery, and dusty desert terrain and chaparral forests. It is very fascinating how they maintain such different environments so close together let alone in the midst of a busy city like Fullerton. The arboretum houses a nursery where visitors can buy plants of their own, the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, and the Victorian style Heritage House. All year round you can even attend special events or host your own special occasion at this beautiful botanical garden. One of the major draws for the arboretum seems to be the wedding season, in which brides and grooms to be can check out the arboretums special wedding packages. I’ve attended some of the festivities held here and a few of their garden workshops and they have always been fun.

Like many of the other popular beach cities in Orange County like Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, Newport Beach has loads of entertainment for visitors along with its beautiful scenic backdrop. As you exit the South 55 freeway you are immediately funneled onto Newport Blvd. where you’ll find a bevy of things to check out. There are bars, a two story shopping center, restaurants and more. If you continue down Newport Blvd. your will eventually come to Pacific Coast Highway and be seconds away from the beach. One minor detail I would say to be attentive to is that Newport Blvd. splits into what the city’s called Old Newport Blvd. so when you’re getting, giving or following directions make sure which Newport Blvd you should be on. If the bar and beach scene isn’t really on the agenda but you’re looking for a great place to eat I’d suggest stopping by Sol Cocina located on Pacific Coast Highway and Bayside Drive. They have a signature guacamole dish that is beyond delicious, fresh ceviche, signature margarita’s and fun Mexican desserts like the chocolate covered cinnamon nachos. I love the dark, Mexican Villa inspired décor and the ambiance is laid back and beautiful. It’s a perfect complement to the Newport Beach city vibe.

I lived near Gilbert Street for close to five years and found it to be a great back street to take when dealing with the congestion and traffic lights on Brookhurst St. or Magnolia Ave. were too much. The street itself spans from La Palma Ave. in the city of Anaheim clear to Garden Grove Blvd. in the city of Garden Grove. I call it the road less traveled because it’s rare that you’ll ever see this street back up, that’s most likely due to its heavy residential surroundings. The neighborhoods along Gilbert are on the average nice looking neighborhoods with single family homes and a few apartments sprinkled in between. Two major high schools can be found on Gilbert St., which are Savanna High School near Crescent Ave. and Magnolia High School farther up on the corner of Ball Rd. I’ve had friends that lived along Gilbert and it always seemed to be a nice residential area. The biggest thing I would say to avoid is trying to get down this street during the morning and afternoon hours that children are arriving or leaving school because those are the heaviest traffic times. It’s almost impossible to get through in a reasonable amount of time, so be warned.

Ever summer the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa transforms into one of Orange County’s most anticipated events, the O.C. Fair. Located on Fairview Rd. between Fair Dr. and Arlington Dr., the fairgrounds is one of the best places to visit in the summer time. My family and I try to make it down there at least once every year. True to any fair’s standards you will find all the fried foods, dipped foods, barbequed foods, rides, shows and entertainment you can imagine. Just this past August we went to catch a show at the grounds Pacific Amphitheatre and it was great. The seating wasn’t too bad even if you had tickets in the last row which was nice. Next time the fair comes around make sure to pack up the kids or round up your friends and head over to see what you can get into at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Word to the wise, be prepared for lots and lots of traffic and huge crowds. Streets are narrowed, blocked off or strategically maneuvered into trying to make the traffic surrounding the fair run smoothly. It’s useful if you’re one of the many guests attending the events here but if you aren’t Fairview Rd. might want to be a street to avoid during fair season.

While traveling on Harbor Blvd. you may encounter Pearson Park as you reach the intersections of Cypress and Sycamore Street. This park has come a long way in the last few years. It went from a park people avoided as much as possible due to lingering homeless people to just un-kept and neglected maintenance around the park that made it more of a scary place to visit than the fun and inviting place it was meant to be. Thanks to city initiatives and some care the park has really turned around in the past 10 years which is great because it has a lot of good things to offer its Anaheim residents. On site the park has a public pool, tennis courts, baseball field, playgrounds, a few small ponds and of course the Pearson Park Amphitheatre. I’ve been to a few events and performances held at the amphitheatre and they were a lot of fun. I feel like this aspect of the park offers an affordable and interesting experience for families looking to find new forms of entertainment that won’t break the bank. The shows range from music, dance, plays, ballet and more so if your ever in the area try and check out what you can catch at the Pearson Park Amphitheatre.

During my full-time student/full-time employee days State College Blvd. was another one of my go to streets to get from point A to point B in real good time. As everyone might be familiar with rush hour traffic which starts around 4:00 pm and last until about 6:00pm the easiest route to school would have been the 57 freeway but in reality that was the worst option due to the tremendous traffic. My solution was to take State College Blvd. which runs parallel to the 57 freeway for at least the stretch of road that I was concerned about covering. State College Blvd is a heavy commercial street meaning you’ll find shopping centers, business, plazas, food chains, restaurants and more all along the way. With so much retail and business options it might seem ironic that it would be a quick way get from the city of Orange to the city of Fullerton in under 30 minutes but you’d be surprised. Over all the areas you encounter while traveling on State College Blvd. are clean, safe and driver friendly. If getting to work is a hassle on the 57 freeway I would suggest you try out driving down this street and see if it can work better for you.

When you travel up along the city street of Chapman Ave. and follow it up until it converts to Santiago Canyon Rd and follow that still until it hits Modjeska Canyon Road, you are well on your way to The Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Owned and operated by Cal State University Fullerton and the schools College of Natural Sciences and mathematics I had the privilege of visiting the center as a volunteer. The sanctuary offers a number of things you can take notice of while you’re there such as a nicely shaded picnic area, a natural history museum, hiking trails, a gift shop and even a small amphitheater. While the preserve occupies 12-acres of land all of the amenities here are on a small scale. Leaving much of the beauty and appeal of the place up to nature, guests can find plenty of parking on the dusty trails of the sanctuary lots. If you ever get the chance to visit or are interested in finding out more you can expect to be very hands on which is a nice touch. I would recommend driving out to the Wildlife Sanctuary if you are interested in giving a helping hand to the natural community. The staff is beyond friendly and do really make you feel like you are part of an important team while you volunteer your time to make the sanctuary a better place for its visitor and its inhabitants.

I have some very fond memories of living in San Juan Capistrano. It was my favorite place to live. I thought it was beautiful, clean and just a happy place to live. The neighborhoods on the street I lived on were well kept, the people were always friendly and I remember how easy it was to make friends while I was there. In the last few years I’ve made it back to this city to visit the San Juan Capistrano Mission with my family and that was a wonderful experience. I love the accessibility to the mission and the historical value of the location itself. The gift shops have memorable souvenirs and trinkets to take home and treasure the experience. I have also gone back and stayed at one of the cities beach side hotels which offered beautiful amenities and was only a few feet away from the ocean. While San Juan Capistrano is one of Orange County’s farthest cities south which can be considered to almost be bordering into San Diego County, there is plenty to enjoy about this lovely location. I think it’s a perfect place to raise a family and I would hope to someday have the option of moving back to this beautiful city.

If you are as adamant about avoiding traffic as much as possible and as much as I am I would highly recommend finding an alternate route through Westminster if you can than taking Brookhurst St. It is an easy way to get through the city and there are a number of eateries to try out and shopping centers to visit along the way. Much of the congestion on this street has to do with the heavy traffic lights and the stop and go traffic of the commercial retail areas. You’ll find predominantly Asian residents and businesses in this area since it’s also referred to by Orange County natives as “Little Saigon”. Once you can overlook the pile up of traffic you may encounter Brookhurst St. can take you through some nice areas of Westminster. A popular late night hangout used to be near McFadden Ave. and Brookhurst. The 24 hour Mexican food restaurant called Alerto’s had some of the best chimichangas and burrito platters for your money which is always a plus no matter who you are. Ever since I can remember this major street running through Westminster is a heavily traveled road and to this day seems like it will always be.

Katella Ave. is a very long street that cuts across Orange County cities like Garden Grove, Anaheim, Stanton and Orange but for the few mile stretch that lies within the Anaheim city limits it is a wonderful compliment to the Disneyland tourism. On and near this avenue is Disneyland itself, Downtown Disney, Disney’s California Adventure, restaurants, hotels and car rental locations like Enterprise and Avis if you need one. The area I like to visit most is on Katella Ave. in between Harbor Blvd. and Haster St. Anaheim invested in building a entertainment hub known as Anaheim’s GardenWalk. Some of the best features found here is definitely food. There are a variety of flavors to choose from when selecting a dining destination like California Pizza Kitchen, to Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co., the Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s to name a few. I haven’t really done a lot of shopping at the retail locations they have here but they all look very inviting. At the far end of the GardenWalk there’s a movie theatre, great for date nights or a dance club called Heat if dancing the night away is more your style. You don’t have to worry about parking since the GardenWalk has its own parking facility you can take advantage of too for any of your day or night excursions here. Lots of fun to get into.

The trickiest thing about Newport Avenue in Tustin is that it runs on a slant. I remember the first time driving down this street is was a bit confusing but now that I’ve recently begun working near this area I laugh at how confused I’d get. Newport Avenue businesses ranging from grocery stores to banks, spas, clothing, restaurants and specialty shops which makes it a nice street to drive down just to see what you might find. If you are ever in search for some good Japanese food in particular a great sushi bar I would recommend driving to the corner of Newport Ave. and main Street and trying out Tommy’s Sushi and Japanese Restaurant. I’ve never really had too much of a problem with excessive traffic when driving down here so there’s no need to worry about that. If you do find time to make it to Tommy’s I’d suggest trying their Paradise Roll, the exclusive Chuck Norris Roll and the very interesting and very tasty jalapeno Roll. The sauces they make to accompany the sushi are to die for. If you can’t make it out to Tustin for anything else other than some good Japanese food, you won’t be disappointed with Tommy’s.

I have worked at, visited and worked near The Block at Orange and feel like it is a tad overrated for what you can find here. As a mall, it doesn’t have anything extraordinary about it that makes it stand out in my mind. When it initially opened over 10 years ago and while I was working at one of the retail shops here one of its major appeals was that it was an outdoor mall which everyone seemed to love since there wasn’t too many of those at the time. It was a great hit during the hot summer and spring nights and still is since it has a major movie theatre and restaurants that doubl as bar hangouts like, Tu Tu Tango’s, Dave & Busters, El Torito and F.R.I.D.A.Y’S as well as a Van’s skate park that draws in a lot of youngsters. Being outdoors also meant slow winters though during the cold and rainy seasons which still remains true. With a lot of appeal also comes a lot of traffic and horrible parking accommodations which since its opening has not gotten any better to me on weekend nights. You have to come prepared with the mentality that there will be a LOT of young drivers, impatient drivers and too many cars with too few spaces to just arrive and park in under 10 minutes.

Buena Park is a decent city almost synonymously known as the home town of Knott’s Berry Farm. While it lacks some of the worldwide mega million dollar glamour of its rivaling theme park in the next city over (Disneyland in the city of Anaheim) it’s still a good place to visit for some fun. Beach Blvd. is however the strip to be on when visiting Buena Park because that’s where you’ll find the theme park, food chains and restaurants, the Buena Park Mall nearby and novelty restaurants like the Pirates Dinner Adventure which features a dinner and pirate show included in the entrance fee, The Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum, and the Movieland Wax Museum. Since Beach Blvd. is such a hotbed for entertainment and attractions in this city there is generally a lot of tourist traffic. The cost of living in this area also seems fairly reasonable with residential options for living include single family home neighborhoods on Knott Ave. and Western as well as apartment complexes if that is more your preference. Accessibility to freeways is predominately access to the 91 freeway which you can take to connect to the 5, 57 or the 55 freeway which is a plus.

Like in any city there are some good parts of Anaheim, beautiful parts of the city and then the not so great locations that you might be better off avoiding. To me the street of W. Romneya Dr. specifically located between Euclid St. and Harbor Blvd. is one of those locations. I remember working at Manzanita Park one summer which can be found off this local residential street and it was always filled with people and kids riding their bikes, hanging around outside on the street corners and just never really maintained a clean appearance to me. There are many apartment complexes mixed in with single family homes and mobile homes that line the street. There are also many neighborhoods nestled on Romneya’s residential side streets like Cherry Way, Crown St., Bluegrass St., Riveria St. and several others that also have a lot of people living there. Perhaps if the neighborhood took some time to upkeep a cleaner neighborhood I’d feel differently about this location. One of the only positives I can gather from living on or near this street is that it easily accesses the 91 freeway, grocery stores and the restaurants and shopping plaza’s located on Harbor Blvd. and Orangethorpe Ave.

Laguna Canyon Road which is also commonly known as the 133 freeway is a long stretch of road that cuts through part of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and takes you straight to the Pacific Coast Highway where the sun and sand of Laguna Beach awaits. On some parts of the canyon road there is very little to see since most of it will be the dry trails of the wildness park but once you begin to get close the city of Laguna Beach you will start to notice small shops, homes, an art school and businesses lining the side of the street. A hidden gem on Laguna Canyon Road I think is simply beautiful is the Blue Pearl Laguna. The facility is a retreat location that pampers guests with saunas, massages, yoga, a detox regimen with healthy meals and nature walks that will leave your body feeling replenished and refreshed after your stay. If you continue traveling farther south down Canyon Road you’ll find the Laguna Beach’s Art-A-Fair Grounds which is another great location to enjoy arts and crafts events. Every year the grounds host some of the best in local artists, talent and craftsman for the public to come out and support or discover.

I have an old time friend who grew up in this neighborhood and her parents and younger siblings still live her so there’s times I still make it down tthrough Redondo Drive. Immediately the first thing that comes to mind when describing this Orange County neighborhood is quiet. There has never been trouble or outrageous traffic that I’ve seen in the area and the neighbors generally tend to keep to themselves which isn’t always a bad thing. The reason why I feel this is a great area for families with children is that there are two elementary schools nearby on the corner of North St. and Loara St., as well as on the following corner of Westmont Dr. and Loara St. There is a park right behind some of the homes on Redondo which is rather small but generally ok to visit during the day. If you have older children Anaheim High School is also only a few blocks away and well within walking distance. Other amenities in the surrounding area are the Anaheim Plaza, the Anaheim Memorial Medical Center and easy access to freeways like the 5 and the 91 freeways. Overall I’d say it seems like a decent place to relocate to and raise a family.

Going to college in this area one of my go to spots to head to on my breaks was Chapman Ave. especially when I wanted to eat off campus. The area on Chapman from about Placentia Ave. up to around Acacia Ave. is loaded with places to find some good food. Whatever your might crave, it’s likely you’ll be able to find it around here. The options include pizza, burgers, rice bowls with chicken and veggies, Chinese food, burritos, fried chicken and more. A restaurant in the area I would highly suggest if you want a quick and tasty mean is Panera’s found near the corner of State College Blvd. and Chapman Ave. They have fresh salads, bread bowls with hot soup, specialty sandwiches and pastries. If you have a little more time on your hands and are in the mood for Mexican food I’d suggest El Farolito located near the intersection of Chapman Ave. and Bradford Ave. They have some of the best carnitas platters I’ve tasted in a long time. Parking might be a bit tricky to find since its in a very small residential corner but it’s worth the trouble. Be prepared for long waits on weekends though so make sure to bring some patience with those large appetites.

Another childhood favorite that I highly recommend for families is Eisenhower Park. It is one of the most interesting parks I remember as a child. It has hills, small creeks, ponds, two playgroups and a huge lake where you can always find ducks and baby ducklings swimming and walking around the water. The park itself is fairly large and can accommodate many family gatherings but the best locations to aim for are the spots next to the running creeks. In the summertime it’s a perfect place to take the children if running around the sprinklers in the front yard or visiting the local pool is becoming too mundane. There is also a very small farm animal area where kids can see chickens, goats or sheep lounging around from time to time. There is plenty of parking provided in and around the park but it can be tricky to find some of those lots since driving in and out of small residential streets is a must. The major cross streets of Eisenhower Park are Lincoln Ave. and Tustin St. and if you’ve had enough of the recreational time out doors you can head down Tustin St. and find shopping centers you can spend some time in as well.

One of the best things I feel Laguna Beach has to offer is its art culture and beachside eateries that double as some wonderful bars to hangout in once the sun goes down. I’ve spent a lot of time in Laguna Beach attending events, having lunch with friends and trying out the café’s and restaurants the city has to offer. For breakfast I would recommend visiting Zinc’s located on Ocean Ave. between Beach St. and 3rd St. For a nice lunch location I think The Rooftop Lounge is fabulous. The food tastes great; the price are reasonable and if you can find seating upstairs on the rooftop deck the view of the ocean is breathtaking. It can double as a romantic rendezvous spot or a fun place to hangout with friends. Be prepared for a crowd either way. And if a nice dinner is more your taste I would suggest Hush Restaurant which has a beautiful bar area or one of my Laguna Beach favorites, Mozambique Restaurant. I have yet to try something that wasn’t delicious on the menu and I love that it has a very casual but sophisticated ambiance to it. If you can make it down on Sunday evening you can also enjoy their live reggae band which only adds to the restaurants appeal.

I have been visiting the neighborhoods on Crone for a few years now since I have very good friends that live along this street. I’ve driven around the area from Crone Ave. and Walnut St. to Crone Ave. and Euclid St. plenty of times throughout the past eight years and the area hasn’t changed much if at all, in a good way. The neighborhood itself seems to be everything a great residential area should be. It’s close to major streets and freeways like the I-5 which connects you to a number of other freeways such as the 91 freeway, the 22 freeway or the 55 freeway. It is close to schools for the kids as well as a nice park for family time, the neighbors have always been friendly and on special occasions they aren’t the type to hound about ending parties early or complaining about noise as long as it’s all within reason. The living options are largely if not all single family homes not to many apartments which makes for ample parking available on nights and weekends. The residents don’t change much either which adds to the comfort and solidarity of the neighborhood spirit. If and when homes become available in this Anaheim neighborhood I feel they can be great choices to check out for families and couples.

I stumbled across this park a few years back after working in the Placentia for awhile. To this day I still like to find time to visit Tri City Park and just relax or unwind with a good book or some good company. I don’t consider Tri City to the typical location to bring along kids if keeping them occupied with swing sets and playgrounds is what you’re looking for because there are no playgrounds or swing sets at this park. The parks perimeter is surrounded by homes and condos and seems to provide more of a place to exercise or a recreational area to enjoy for picnics and quiet afternoons. I’ve visited the park during the day and sometimes in the evening and it has always seemed safe and serene. One of the more charming features of the park I enjoy most is the small lake which seems to be the focal point of Tri City. You can see families of ducks and geese waddling around the park or floating around the lake. If you live, work or plan to visit the Placentia area near Kramer Blvd. and Bastanchury Rd. you should make a quick pit stop at Tri City Park.

I consider Wilshire Ave. a very student friendly street because it sits close to any of the Fullerton schools you might be attending, be it Fullerton High School, Fullerton Junior College or the Cal State near State College and Chapman. The positives I see in living in the neighborhoods on Wilshire are that public transportation should that be a concern for you, is very close by, along with fast food places, decent night life locations and apartments upon apartments to choose from when deciding where to stay. The pros are heavily geared towards those looking for a convenient and affordable place to live while attending school. The cons are whether you’re a student or not the parking situation in this area tends to be rather bad. When school is in session students trying to save money by skipping out on parking permits are looking for small residential streets they can park in and Wilshire seems to be a favorite. Depending on which stage of your life you’re in Wilshire can be a blessing or a nightmare neighborhood to call home. If you prefer staying away from over populated living areas and are in search for a more serene and uninhabited neighborhood, then Wilshire Ave. will not be a great match for you.

This is a very private street and doesn’t last for more than a minute or two if you’re driving on it. It’s one of the many small streets clustered throughout the neighborhoods on Chapman Ave. and Orange Park Blvd. which I like to refer to as the “horse community”. I haven’t had the privilege of being able to afford a horse or pony as a pet, yet, but for those Orange County residents that can, this is a wonderful neighborhood to look into. There are horse trails and dusty roads all throughout the area. The homes range from ranch style façades with stables to expansive luxury homes with well manicured lawns and landscaping. I’ve visited the neighborhood a few times and it has always been a pleasure. It’s easy to get lost in the natural landscapes of this area and I can see why the residents here like it. It provides a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life while in reality the city is just a 5 minute drive away. I would love to someday be able to afford a home in this neighborhood although the option of being a horse owner sounds tempting, I’m not sure that I care too much for all the maintenance that goes into caring for them. If I do end up ever living here, maybe I can just visit my neighbors stable from time to time.

Broadway is a street that spans all across the city of Anaheim from State College Blvd through to Dale Ave. It serves as a quick residential street to travel on or a commercial/retail avenue since you can find anything from the Anaheim Public Library, shopping centers, parks, homes and businesses scattered up and down this street. I don’t have many complaints about Broadway or the neighborhoods found along it. I spent a few years living near Broadway and Olive St. and I remember the bus stop to elementary school was close, the neighbors were always friendly and it was safe enough to play outside or in the surrounding areas with friends till just a little after dark. Aside from the residential appeal found on Broadway there is also many convenient aspects that make this a great street to live on or near. I like the no fuss efficiency of Broadway. There is very few traffic lights when you’re trying to get across town in a hurry, compared to the major streets running parallel to it like Lincoln Ave. and Ball Rd. For families or couples looking for nice areas of Anaheim to move to, I would recommend checking out some of the locations along Broadway.

For the Orange County beach goers Main St. in Huntington Beach is the central hub for everything fun under the sun. You can expect a young crowd of people during the summer swarming the surf hops, swimsuit stores and bars lining both side of Main St. I remember my first time visiting here and to be honest it was overwhelming. During the day it was great for people watching and picking up a quick bite to eat. I had one of the BEST pizza slice I’ve had in a long time at this small pizzeria near the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway. The ocean, the pier and the sand are only a street light away so the foot traffic is definitely heavy here. I have also visited Main St. for the nightlife, checking out a few different bars while I was there. I can’t say any of them stood out as my favorite. They all seemed similarly crowded, moderately priced and the crowds didn’t vary much from bar to bar. The action going on Main Street seems to attract many singles looking to party or couples looking to have a good time. Families can find fun things to see as well but may find it a little daunting maneuvering through the crowds with kids and strollers at the end of the day.