Aliso Viejo or Portola Springs

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PANDA_IHB

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If we are comparing apples to apples between buying new construction in Northern Irvine i.e. Portola Springs or Aliso Viejo which would be a better home investment? Though Portola Springs gives you the Irvine address and feeds into Northwood High School it really feels like the place is way up there in the boonies ("The Irvine's version of the Inland Empire").



I had my heart set on buying in either Woodbury, Northwood II, and Portola Springs until I saw Aliso Viejo for the first time couple weeks ago and I am really starting to dig the area. I really like the fact that Aliso Viejo's proximity is only 4 miles away from Laguna Beach (move the city horizontally and the distance is as close as Turtle Rock to the Ocean.) Also Aliso Viejo feels more "God made" natural with hills and scenary whereas northern Irvine seems more "Man made" (cookie cutter grids). So my question is if you had the choice to buy in Portola Springs or a new home in Aliso Viejo where commute to work is irrevalent, which option would you prefer? There also seems to be this Irvine High School District Premium you have to pay to live in Portola Springs compared to Aliso Viejo. Why pay this premium when your kids are not benefiting from attending the great Irvine High Schools. Perhaps Panda's right economical strategy is to live in Aliso Viejo until my kids are in 6th grade/ junior high and then make that move to the Irvine School District right before they start their freshman year in high school? However, I also hear that Aliso Niguel High School is almost or just as good as the Irvine Schools? I mean is there really that big of difference of your kid's chances of getting into UCLA or UC Berkeley by attending Northwood High vs. Aliso Niguel High?



Panda.
 
Panda,



I went through the same analogy as you few years ago. I dig Aliso Viejo for its hills and trees. But I eventually decided to purchase in Irvine. Irvine is still closer to everything else. For example, LAX and other parts of LA. John Wayne Airport is only 10 minutes away.

Bad traffic south of Irvine is another reason.



Most importantly, if you live in Portola Springs, there is a Korean supermarket, Zion, just 5 minutes away. It is even closer if you live in Woodbury. There are two more Korean supermarkets north of Zion in Irvine and Tusin. Mrs. Panda will thank you.



As for school, Irvine schools are better. However, your kid must wants to excel as well. Going to a good high school is only half of the equation. I know some Northwood students who didn't go to Ivy League nor a UC school.
 
Ahh Shoot,



I didn't think about the Korean grocery and the Huge HMART coming into Irvine. That in itself is worth the $100,000 premium to live in Irvine for Panda. I cannot function without K-food. Are you telling me that there is no Korean supermarket in Aliso Viejo? Man, time to rethink this strategy more seriously.



Panda
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1218977029]Are you telling me that there is no Korean supermarket in Aliso Viejo? Man, time to rethink this strategy more seriously.



Panda</blockquote>


While AV has many things going for it, diversity would definitely not be one of those things. After spending much time down in AV looking at homes, my wife and I have become ok with just about everything down there (including the schools) --- but the lack of cultural diversity and all that goes along with that may ultimately be the tipping point that keeps us in Irvine.



That said, your specific question was "PS or AV" --- if those were my only two choices, the vote is for AV hands down. But as luck would have it, there is more to Irvine than PS. Thank god for that.
 
Even though I dislike PS for it's proximity to the toll road, county landfill, and ghost-town feel - given enough time - I think PS might turn out OK. I saw a sign that said 'future retail for PS' so it seems those folks won't have to drive to Woodbury towne center all the time. Also if/when the Great Park is completed, PS will be situated in a prime spot. And, finally, it seems that traffic builds up from all those folks living south of El Toro, so in the morning, going northbound on the 5 or 405 is a stinker.



my vote : stay in Irvine.
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1218973561]Though Portola Springs gives you the Irvine address and feeds into Northwood High School it really feels like the place is way up there in the boonies ("The Irvine's version of the Inland Empire").</blockquote>


ROFLMAO... the I.E. of Irvine. I love it! I think the funny one-liners of the regular IHBers are rubbing off on you Panda. With that you earned some IHB cred.



I have posted about back in the day, that Irvine was like the I.E., and no one wanted to live there. People hated the cookie cutter homes, the lack of diversity, and being in the middle of farm land. But... as the vision of Bren has come to fruition, it is clear that Irvine has become a great place to live, and so will the newer (not that much around there) communities. It is hard to see the complete vision, but as someone who has seen Woodbridge, West Park, and others come about, I know that Portola Springs, and the even better Orchard Hills will be great communities.



As for Aliso, check out the threads about the place. BK rips it a new one, and CK can attest to the foreclosure mess there. Hell... even Crackercakes here thinks it lacks diversity. I love the 99 Ranch Market (hate the parking lot, insert stereotype here), and the food you can only get there. Plus, I am having a hankering for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgogi">bulgogi</a>, and the people in Aliso might hide their dogs if you start talking like that. Of course my neighbor's grandma makes the best bulgogi, even if after you eat it, the burps you will have will clear a room faster than... well, lets just put it this way, it smells really bad, but they taste soooo good.



Be patient Panda, let the prices come to you, and they will. I know you are Christian, but the words of Buddha speak loudly... <em>Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.</em> Just think, I could be your crackercakes neighbor looking over your Orchard Hills fence when you are grilling up some good Asian grub wondering if you have enough for me.
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1218986750]Be patient Panda, let the prices come to you, and they will.</blockquote>


I'm printing out multiple copies of that and plastering them on the 'fridge and each of the computers. Wise words, Crackercakes (and yet so hard to follow!).
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1218986750].



Be patient Panda, let the prices come to you, and they will.</blockquote>


I have to agree with Eva.




This may be one of the more profound utterings on the IHB.
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1219015401][quote author="graphrix" date=1218986750].



Be patient Panda, let the prices come to you, and they will.</blockquote>


I have to agree with Eva.




This may be one of the more profound utterings on the IHB.</blockquote>
Yeah, it sure beats our famous Bostonion proverb . . .



"Don't eat the yellow snow."
 
Wow, love this thread. Very philosophical. I am honor in the presence of graph, eva and awgee. (I look up to Graph. I don't think I earn my dues to call him a crakercakes yet.)



"I.E. of Irvine" - love it! It reminded me when I first came to Irvine, I once made a comment, "Ouch, Irvine is flat as a pancake! This is the best I can get in Orange County?" Since then, I have been signing this when no one is watching...



<object width="325" height="250"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/youtube" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="325" height="250"></embed></object>
 
[quote author="Keanu" date=1219020105] (I look up to Graph.)



</blockquote>
You might find that a bit difficult to do. The G man is kinda short.
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1219020570][quote author="Keanu" date=1219020105] (I look up to Graph.)



</blockquote>
You might find that a bit difficult to do. The G man is kinda short.</blockquote>


ROFL! But then again, many great leaders in history are not tall.....
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1218977029]Ahh Shoot,



I didn't think about the Korean grocery and the Huge HMART coming into Irvine. That in itself is worth the $100,000 premium to live in Irvine for Panda. I cannot function without K-food. Are you telling me that there is no Korean supermarket in Aliso Viejo? Man, time to rethink this strategy more seriously.



Panda</blockquote>


I went to yahoo search and no Korean supermarket pops up in Aliso. Also, there are Korean churches in Irvine. This may be a big plus for you too if you are a regular church goer. Not sure if you can find Korean churches in Aliso.
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1219015401][quote author="graphrix" date=1218986750].



Be patient Panda, let the prices come to you, and they will.</blockquote>


Wow, such wise words coming from Graph Cakes. Panda needs to pray tonight so that what Graph is saying will come true. Graph cakes, you are like my fortune cookie.



OK, here is my next question. If I had to choose between the three Irvine Inland Empire neighborhoods : Northwood II, Woodbury, and Portola Springs which one would be my best option?



Portola Springs is nice and all, but i can't get over the crazy HOA and Tax at 1.9%. Also Manzanita's layout looks a bit funky and Los Arboles's plan III is only one that looks truly detached. With prices at $800,000, these builders are still smoking crack. San Carlos should teach these guys how to drop their prices like they just did. Ok, this neighborhood feeds into Northwood High, i will give one bonus point for that.



Northwood II: I followed a car right in front of me to get passed the gate of Northwood II. You know I actually liked Northwood II and I do like the fact that the HOA and Tax is much more reasonable than PS. The neighborhood also feeds into Northwood High which is a good plus. Some people may criticize Northwood II by saying that the lots are tiny compared to Northwood Pointe, but you are getting much older home in Northwood Pointe.



Woodbury: I parked my car and started to walk around the neigbhorhood. I saw several elderly asian couples and I said "Hi" with big smile and they all acted like they didn't see me, like i was some Panda loco. However, when said "Hi" to white people who were outside, they were really friendly and we had some good talks about the neighborhood. Overall, Woodbury seems really crammed. It feels like a mass production of houses in small square, flat lot. I mean if you spending that much on a house, one should feel special right?



This is just Panda's opinion, but what you do you guys think?
 
<blockquote> I saw several elderly asian couples and I said ?Hi? with big smile and they all acted like they didn?t see me, like i was some Panda loco. However, when said ?Hi? to white people who were outside, they were really friendly and we had some good talks about the neighborhood. </blockquote>
Well, I must say that I am pleased that an asian got the cold shoulder from other asians. I was starting to get a complex and take it personally that they wouldn't say "hi" to me and my husband (yankees). It was actually the main reason we left Irvine. My husband and I are chatter boxes and love to talk to our neighbors.
 
[quote author="CalGal" date=1219024931]<blockquote> I saw several elderly asian couples and I said ?Hi? with big smile and they all acted like they didn?t see me, like i was some Panda loco. However, when said ?Hi? to white people who were outside, they were really friendly and we had some good talks about the neighborhood. </blockquote>
Well, I must say that I am pleased that an asian got the cold shoulder from other asians. I was starting to get a complex and take it personally that they wouldn't say "hi" to me and my husband (yankees). It was actually the main reason we left Irvine. My husband and I are chatter boxes and love to talk to our neighbors.</blockquote>


Actually, I am a Twinky "Yellow in the outside and White in the inside" my best friend is an Egg "White in the outside and Yellow in the inside." That is why we are best friends.
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1219025508][quote author="CalGal" date=1219024931]<blockquote> I saw several elderly asian couples and I said ?Hi? with big smile and they all acted like they didn?t see me, like i was some Panda loco. However, when said ?Hi? to white people who were outside, they were really friendly and we had some good talks about the neighborhood. </blockquote>
Well, I must say that I am pleased that an asian got the cold shoulder from other asians. I was starting to get a complex and take it personally that they wouldn't say "hi" to me and my husband (yankees). It was actually the main reason we left Irvine. My husband and I are chatter boxes and love to talk to our neighbors.</blockquote>


Actually, I am a Twinky "Yellow in the outside and White in the inside" my best friend is an Egg "White in the outside and Yellow in the inside." That is why we are best friends.</blockquote>
Twinky! Too funny!
 
[quote author="CalGal" date=1219024931]My husband and I are chatter boxes and love to talk to our neighbors.</blockquote>


I can't imagine that! You... a chatter box, I could never picture that. :-P
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1219025508]Actually, I am a Twinky "Yellow in the outside and White in the inside" my best friend is an Egg "White in the outside and Yellow in the inside." That is why we are best friends.</blockquote>


Funny Panda, I am the west coast version of the egg, and my buddy is that twinkie. I was the only crackercakes groomsman in his wedding, in fact I was one of five crackercakes at the whole wedding. Two of the others were my mom and my cousin. At least his mom now understands that I am an egg, and doesn't give me the weak crackercakes like non-spicy food, she now hooks me up with the real deal yellow spicy version without asking.
 
[quote author="CalGal" date=1219024931]<blockquote> I saw several elderly asian couples and I said ?Hi? with big smile and they all acted like they didn?t see me, like i was some Panda loco. However, when said ?Hi? to white people who were outside, they were really friendly and we had some good talks about the neighborhood. </blockquote>
Well, I must say that I am pleased that an asian got the cold shoulder from other asians. I was starting to get a complex and take it personally that they wouldn't say "hi" to me and my husband (yankees). It was actually the main reason we left Irvine. My husband and I are chatter boxes and love to talk to our neighbors.</blockquote>


Funny that both of you said that. It happened to me too! And it's worst. I got cold shoulders from Asians and non-Asians. I felt like an idiot smiling at people (i.e. in my IAC complex) and saying "hi" when they care less to smile back and acknowledge a friendly gesture. I figure maybe because I am in an apartment complex. A real neighborhood with owner-occupied residences may be different. Guess not..



By the way, I am pretty normal and average. Not a weirdo in appearance.
 
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