Buying in Baker Ranch for investment property?
- Thread starter estrader
- Start date
NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Lake Forest isn't bad. Living in Irvine previously, I never thought twice about Lake Forest, but now that I live here I can appreciate it - lots of local businesses, smaller mom and pop restaurants, and nicely located between Irvine and the rest of South OC. Super convenient.
It can't touch Tustin though. Tustin neighborhoods get exclusive status in the Irvine RE sub-forums, too cool to hang out with us on the OC Real Estate sub-forum.
/hail qwerty
Yeah, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Depends on who you ask. I've lived in: Tustin, Tustin Ranch, Irvine, and Foothill Ranch (in addition to north O.C. and the I.E. I've been all over.) While there are aspects to be enjoyed about Tustin (the quaint and historic old town) and T.R. (the homes, the parks), the area is showing its age along with changing demographics. It's just isn't what it used to be. Like you, I didn't know much about L.F. when I was living in Irvine. While we live in different enclaves, I would say this is the happiest I've been living anywhere, with what T.R. / N.W. Irvine was approx 15 years ago, being a very close 2nd. I've heard people say it (meaning Foothill Ranch) is a best kept secret and I definitely agree. I'm sure by some extension that would apply to Baker Ranch as well. I would stay here as long as I could unless this area were to change a lot, then I'd probably head out.
Speaking of Tustin, I bought this book at Costco. Really cool. Tustin As It Once Was.
Foothill Ranch is trading at an all time high for Foothill Ranch, and that is a good thing. It is trading at a lower value than Irvine, yes but that is to be expected. EVERYTHING trades lower than Irvine except for coastal. Irvine sets the bar. Foothill Ranch is more expensive than other South OC cities - MV, RSM, older LF, etc.
And I agree with SoCal - there is something special/unique about FHR - the elevation, neighborhoods, "enclave-feel" gives it a unique character. It also helps that it borders Irvine so you have access to all the amenities/restaurants/entertainment you would in irvine.
If I didn't live in Baker Ranch, I'd either live in FHR-proper or AV.
I always questioned why they even opened up car dealerships there and made the town center so large. Pretty poor planning in my opinion especially with whiting ranch creating a huge barrier to resedential development on a whole side.
Baker Ranch residents and the dealership homeowners may start to fill the "dead" of the town center though. Then if the community off of Glenn Ranch road is developed near the Oakley building.
How ironic. That's the exact case with Wienerschnitzel. Irvine is the headquarters of Wienerschnitzel. Yet the Irvine Wienerschnitzel itself is a dump (@ Jeffrey & Walnut in the Arbor shopping center). Dirtiest one I've been to with unhappy, incompetent staff. It gets 2.5 stars on Yelp. Even the one in Tustin on El Camino is nicer with long-time friendly owners, good hands-on management, and a cleaner facility. The one in Newport Beach is nice with an innovative menu and a maintained facility. Go figure. I haven't had much of a problem at F.R. Del Taco, though. The FR location actually gets 4 stars on Yelp.
I think the Taco Bell HQ has a few test locations in Irvine.
Any word on that lately? I have looked a little bit and can't seem to find much in the way of updates but then again I haven't dug really hard. I read more retail was coming. I look forward to finding out which stores or restaurants will go in there. One thing I'd like to see is a B.J.'s. I don't drink beer but I like their food. I would think with all these mountain bikers / hikers using Whiting Ranch, a brewery would fit in, especially near a trail head.
I have not heard anything recently besides they were gating things off. I should drive by it at some time.
More retail?
I like when BJ's has 2 for $20 deals, haha. I think Phil's BBQ or Stonefire Grill would do pretty well. Personally, I would like to have some restaurants around here that are more chef owned and progressive. Restaurants that if I want a certain dish, I have to go to that restaurant.
Thanks to the Lake Forest folks for the info about the area.
Yes, I'm thinking that if Irvine real estate values go up, the surrounding cities, including FHR will go up as well, as people look to neighborhoods with prices that are less frothy. For me, living in Irvine would cut down my commute to work by a few minutes, ditto the commute to Trader Joe's or something, but is that enough for me to plunk down additional $ in mello roos and more for the price of the house? I'm beginning to think not.
Went hiking in Whiting Ranch today -- stopped by at the nearby Starbucks in FHR afterwards -- the overall vibe of the neighborhood is really very similar to Irvine. Clean, lots of palm trees, feels quite safe.
Yes FHR is very similar to Irvine (despite what some members on the forum will say). Irvine does carry more cachet in name and schools but FHR schools are still excellent.
I've lived in both Irvine and Foothill Ranch and the lifestyle is pretty much the same. All of the restaurants and stores I love in Irvine are just as close (All that bbq, spectrum, doctors, dentist) and the options in FHR and South Oc are also great. For example my favorite Greek place is in FHR and my pediatrician is in mission viejo. There really isn't much practical difference day to day (maybe 1-5 minutes extra driving in either direction).
In reality the difference between most South Oc cities (and Irvine/Tustin) is petty small. It's really just coastal vs non coastal. It's not like comparing OC to LA or the IE where there are dramatic lifestyle and demographic differences.
Hi! New here. I've lived in OC for about 12+ years, from So Cal though and bounced around Costa Mesa and Irvine and we ended up buying recently in Lake Forest. We both work in the Lake Forest/South Irvine area so commute is pretty good except crossing Lake Forest is a pain sometimes.
I was initially not into Lake Forest and wanted Costa Mesa due to things to do/dining (Target+Sprouts in 1 lot AND Ikea down the st). But even though central, a few streets over, tons of crowded apartments, and I was a little too close to freeway for comfort. Rented from Irvine Company, nice enough in Portola Springs area but after house hunting - 2 bed/2 bath, 2 story, 2 car tandem, no yard, $550k with mello roos and HOA monthly payment at time would be equiv to $700k home normal tax rate, we just couldn't stomach Irvine premium. Now in a 1500 sq ft single story 3 bed/2bath with 8k+ sq lot. They just don't make new builds with these kind of lot sizes anymore. We also did some remodeling prior to moving in.
Different needs/wants depending on your situation, but Lake Forest worked for us. We do drive further to visit family and friends on the weekend. And I do miss having a true asian grocery nearby, but works for us. Noticing though Lake Forest/Mission Viejo had a pretty good discount in price vs Central OC, but seeing that gap narrow in the last year or so to me.
seachange said:
Lake Forest isn't bad. Living in Irvine previously, I never thought twice about Lake Forest, but now that I live here I can appreciate it - lots of local businesses, smaller mom and pop restaurants, and nicely located between Irvine and the rest of South OC. Super convenient.
It can't touch Tustin though. Tustin neighborhoods get exclusive status in the Irvine RE sub-forums, too cool to hang out with us on the OC Real Estate sub-forum.
/hail qwerty
socal78
Well-known member
eclipxe said:
Yeah, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Depends on who you ask. I've lived in: Tustin, Tustin Ranch, Irvine, and Foothill Ranch (in addition to north O.C. and the I.E. I've been all over.) While there are aspects to be enjoyed about Tustin (the quaint and historic old town) and T.R. (the homes, the parks), the area is showing its age along with changing demographics. It's just isn't what it used to be. Like you, I didn't know much about L.F. when I was living in Irvine. While we live in different enclaves, I would say this is the happiest I've been living anywhere, with what T.R. / N.W. Irvine was approx 15 years ago, being a very close 2nd. I've heard people say it (meaning Foothill Ranch) is a best kept secret and I definitely agree. I'm sure by some extension that would apply to Baker Ranch as well. I would stay here as long as I could unless this area were to change a lot, then I'd probably head out.
Speaking of Tustin, I bought this book at Costco. Really cool. Tustin As It Once Was.
The Motor Court Company
Well-known member
hahaha. that made my day. Foothill Ranch as best kept secret? in this day and age, there is no best kept secret. Foothill Ranch is trading at lower real estate value, simply because it sucks and the demand is lower.
The California Court Company said:
Foothill Ranch is trading at an all time high for Foothill Ranch, and that is a good thing. It is trading at a lower value than Irvine, yes but that is to be expected. EVERYTHING trades lower than Irvine except for coastal. Irvine sets the bar. Foothill Ranch is more expensive than other South OC cities - MV, RSM, older LF, etc.
And I agree with SoCal - there is something special/unique about FHR - the elevation, neighborhoods, "enclave-feel" gives it a unique character. It also helps that it borders Irvine so you have access to all the amenities/restaurants/entertainment you would in irvine.
If I didn't live in Baker Ranch, I'd either live in FHR-proper or AV.
The Motor Court Company
Well-known member
It just means her family is also priced out of Tustin Ranch. I have been to Tustin Ranch which is actually a very nice area to live. much better than Foothill Ranch where it feels like a dump by the toll road and near some industrial area. plus the issue with the homeless , high registered sexual offender ratio, it is pretty laughable that Foothill Ranch is a best kept secret.
pisa said:
Coleman
New member
AW said:
I always questioned why they even opened up car dealerships there and made the town center so large. Pretty poor planning in my opinion especially with whiting ranch creating a huge barrier to resedential development on a whole side.
Baker Ranch residents and the dealership homeowners may start to fill the "dead" of the town center though. Then if the community off of Glenn Ranch road is developed near the Oakley building.
socal78
Well-known member
aquabliss said:
How ironic. That's the exact case with Wienerschnitzel. Irvine is the headquarters of Wienerschnitzel. Yet the Irvine Wienerschnitzel itself is a dump (@ Jeffrey & Walnut in the Arbor shopping center). Dirtiest one I've been to with unhappy, incompetent staff. It gets 2.5 stars on Yelp. Even the one in Tustin on El Camino is nicer with long-time friendly owners, good hands-on management, and a cleaner facility. The one in Newport Beach is nice with an innovative menu and a maintained facility. Go figure. I haven't had much of a problem at F.R. Del Taco, though. The FR location actually gets 4 stars on Yelp.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
I think both are franchises so it's not really a reflection that the city they are in is also where the corp HQ is. It should.SoCal said:
I think the Taco Bell HQ has a few test locations in Irvine.
socal78
Well-known member
Coleman said:
Any word on that lately? I have looked a little bit and can't seem to find much in the way of updates but then again I haven't dug really hard. I read more retail was coming. I look forward to finding out which stores or restaurants will go in there. One thing I'd like to see is a B.J.'s. I don't drink beer but I like their food. I would think with all these mountain bikers / hikers using Whiting Ranch, a brewery would fit in, especially near a trail head.
Coleman
New member
SoCal said:
I have not heard anything recently besides they were gating things off. I should drive by it at some time.
More retail?
I like when BJ's has 2 for $20 deals, haha. I think Phil's BBQ or Stonefire Grill would do pretty well. Personally, I would like to have some restaurants around here that are more chef owned and progressive. Restaurants that if I want a certain dish, I have to go to that restaurant.
eclipxe said:
Thanks to the Lake Forest folks for the info about the area.
Yes, I'm thinking that if Irvine real estate values go up, the surrounding cities, including FHR will go up as well, as people look to neighborhoods with prices that are less frothy. For me, living in Irvine would cut down my commute to work by a few minutes, ditto the commute to Trader Joe's or something, but is that enough for me to plunk down additional $ in mello roos and more for the price of the house? I'm beginning to think not.
Went hiking in Whiting Ranch today -- stopped by at the nearby Starbucks in FHR afterwards -- the overall vibe of the neighborhood is really very similar to Irvine. Clean, lots of palm trees, feels quite safe.
seachange said:
Yes FHR is very similar to Irvine (despite what some members on the forum will say). Irvine does carry more cachet in name and schools but FHR schools are still excellent.
I've lived in both Irvine and Foothill Ranch and the lifestyle is pretty much the same. All of the restaurants and stores I love in Irvine are just as close (All that bbq, spectrum, doctors, dentist) and the options in FHR and South Oc are also great. For example my favorite Greek place is in FHR and my pediatrician is in mission viejo. There really isn't much practical difference day to day (maybe 1-5 minutes extra driving in either direction).
In reality the difference between most South Oc cities (and Irvine/Tustin) is petty small. It's really just coastal vs non coastal. It's not like comparing OC to LA or the IE where there are dramatic lifestyle and demographic differences.
jumpinjacks
New member
seachange said:
Hi! New here. I've lived in OC for about 12+ years, from So Cal though and bounced around Costa Mesa and Irvine and we ended up buying recently in Lake Forest. We both work in the Lake Forest/South Irvine area so commute is pretty good except crossing Lake Forest is a pain sometimes.
I was initially not into Lake Forest and wanted Costa Mesa due to things to do/dining (Target+Sprouts in 1 lot AND Ikea down the st). But even though central, a few streets over, tons of crowded apartments, and I was a little too close to freeway for comfort. Rented from Irvine Company, nice enough in Portola Springs area but after house hunting - 2 bed/2 bath, 2 story, 2 car tandem, no yard, $550k with mello roos and HOA monthly payment at time would be equiv to $700k home normal tax rate, we just couldn't stomach Irvine premium. Now in a 1500 sq ft single story 3 bed/2bath with 8k+ sq lot. They just don't make new builds with these kind of lot sizes anymore. We also did some remodeling prior to moving in.
Different needs/wants depending on your situation, but Lake Forest worked for us. We do drive further to visit family and friends on the weekend. And I do miss having a true asian grocery nearby, but works for us. Noticing though Lake Forest/Mission Viejo had a pretty good discount in price vs Central OC, but seeing that gap narrow in the last year or so to me.