The California Court Company said:
OK fair enough. I don't know Foothill Ranch dining options or stores that well. But the homeless people definitely made us feel uncomfortable. I was expecting to see a nice, middle class, white suburban neighborhood, not destitute people hanging out in public areas.
Obviously SoCal is pro Foothill Ranch and she always fails to see her city's shortcomings. Number of restaurants does not equal to quality. You can have a lot of low end options but I am not sure about the high end options. Let's see what kind of facts she can dig up.
I do agree that quality is greater than quantity.
@SoCal - TalkIrvine's demographic is very similar to the Irvine population. Therefore, when they mean places to eat they are talking about...
To name a few. (not meant in any negative way)
They may not really consider Miguel's, Mustard Cafe, and Flame Broiler necessarily a dining establishment worth noting.
Fine dining in FR? Urban Grill and Wine Bar offers a pretty good menu. However, it does not compare with the options of Irvine and nor should it as FR is a small enclave a fraction of a "village in Irvine". I would love to see a chef owned place like Urban Seoul, the Playground, or Break of Dawn, etc... open up in FR.
Empty buildings for lease in a town center is never a positive thing to look at either. 20+ years ago, people have grand visions for the area. However, the population wouldn't be able to support multiple car dealerships and that many big box stores especially with the invention of the internet and online shopping. With the build out of the Great Park and Baker Ranch more people should trickle through the town center adding some "life" to it. We'll know more when the time comes.
I don't think the food in FR is amazing. There are some places that I really like to eat. CA Fish Grill, In-N-Out, and Natraj Indian fast food. However, I often drive distances to get food that I like. It's not unheard of to drive an hour to get some foods that even Irvine can't compete with.
I used to always say for how many Asians Irvine has, it does not have many good Asian restaurants. However, I have just been fortunate enough to eat at many good "Asian" places in my life. (However, it seems like a lot of restaurants from SGV are coming out here)
Regarding the homeless people at the library. At least they were educated and were interested in books!
jokes aside - homeless people or people living out of their car never made me feel comfortable. Unfortunately, you were witness to this and one cannot make you "unfeel" that situation. However, it is a blanket statement going to one area and covering the city with that. What happens to people who exit the 5 at Jeffrey and drive down Walnut towards Yale? They see older condos on the left, condos on the right? and then they turn right on Yale, go over the hill and see Orchard Park. I have seen some pretty "intimidating" people around Irvine who I would stereotype and profile as "criminal looking" however, I'd just think to myself, "where do these people come from?" Kind of like going to Walmart.
Drive down my street and you will see that it's pretty middle class. However, there are a few Asians and Indians who live on my street (look for the nice cars).
I am more of a PRO-Orange County person than anything. I am not blinded by the city I live in or the cities I have lived in.
One of the issues with FR is the limited number of housing that appeals to "higher" incomes. Irvine has houses that appeal to incomes that are limitless. I doubt someone with a solid seven figure income is going to want to live in FR.
FR's appeal typically hits a ceiling with families probably making $300k-350k/yr who are wanting to purchase a house $900k or less. (I totally made up the income numbers and have NO scientific proof, but just a guess)
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