Irvine or Baker Ranch (Lake Forest)

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iacrenter said:
Coleman said:
irvinehomeowner said:
Where were all you Irvine-lovers when I was battling all the Irvine-haters back on the IHB?

Harumph.
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Speaking of this, where is BKShopr ? Was that his name? Wasn't he Irvine's number 1 Hater?
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He took his ball back to Floral Park and never came back. Though I suspect his spirit lives on in TI.
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I think it does in another active member who will remain nameless.  haha
 
My 2 cents.

We started out in BR and then moved back into IR communities. We were able to find an equivalent / better home in IR for the same price. If BR was 100K cheaper, I would not have moved back to IR.

Pros:

1. Little more carpet area in BR than IR (more like 200 sq ft) for the same price. I calculated $370/sq ft in BR as opposed to $425/sq ft in IR (I had a personalized set of requirements with which I calculated total cost - included base price, specific upgrades, closing cost, backyard, etc.).

2. No Mello Roos

Cons:

1. School district: Not sure if this is important for you, but we have two kids who will be in Elementary in the next few months. SVUSD is a good, IUSD is better in rankings. I don't mind either, but my wife does. Rankings, or marketing...

2. Community: More mixed / asian community in IR, as opposed to the Unknown (More white?) in BR.

3. I expected a bit more back yard, but BR has copied TIC and gone for the volume. I was disappointed with the 10x10 yard space that I got. Springhouse is awesome in this respect.

4. Middle of nowhere. Only residential community that comes after 4 miles of business space, as you take an exit from 405.


.... and for those reasons, I am out.
 
I looked at BR and will buy there. As far as comments I have read, it seems as if these are people who want to convince others that Irvine is the only viable option. It isn't. I have a house in Turtle Ridge, Irvine, and Quail Hill, Irvine, so I like the city and area. The jail is in Irvine, and while close to Baker, it is also close to the Great Park and other Irvine neighborhoods. Lake Forest is in the Saddleback Unified school district, which has more Distinguished schools than any other district. I know El Toro is not the best HS, but the overall district is as good as Irvine. The no Mello Roos in BR is huge. On a $million dollar home it  can be 8k a year or higher. Thats about $650 a month or more.  Most of the Irvine neighborhoods have no gate either. Prices in BR are less and many have views. You won't get one in Pavilion Park, or Woodbury or Stonegate as an example. Village 2 will have views as well. The location is great with access to the 5, 405 and 241 closeby. The prices are less per sq ft so that is a value as well. Irvine is a very nice city, and the name does have some value, but this is a new area with no where to go but up. The setting is nice, yes there is a commercial park on the outskirts, but only borders a handful of homes. Buy where you want but if paying more per sq ft and the high mellos roos doesn't bother you, and some community fee I can't remember in Pavilion Park for development, and it can go up 2% a yr for the next 40 years, then Irvine is your home. Baker Ranch is an excellent alternative but different strokes for different folks. Everyone has their own reasonsn for what they like.
 
If someone is worried about 8k for mello roos buying a million dollar property, they probaby shouldn't be buying a million dollar home.

It's the same sh*t when we paid a mansion tax in New York... If you are worried about the extra cost... you probably shouldn't buy it! you probably can't afford it.
 
You are leaving TR and QH for BR?? Sell me your homes... I'll take them off your hands.

It's like saying I'm moving from PP to SG.... ugh!
 
myakka54 said:
Prices in BR are less and many have views. You won't get one in Pavilion Park, or Woodbury or Stonegate as an example.
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Hey now... my Pavilion Park home has an awesome mountain view from the master and 2 guest bedrooms... It is possible.
 
I'm serious man... People complain about $8k when they are living in a million dollar home.. you gotta pay to play.  eek
 
bones said:
irvinehomehater said:
I'm serious man... People complain about $8k when they are living in a million dollar home.. you gotta pay to play.  eek
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why are you surprised?  this board TIC nickels and dimes everything!
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But since you don't live in one of their products, I guess you are fine!
 
Flat lots outnumbers view lots in Irvine and fringes. Regardless of petty dollar comparisons and bragging rights view lots will always be in higher demand in resale. Irvine is a unicorn. The more negative adjacencies the higher the premium. That jail next door is actually a plus. It guarantees that no housing will ever be built. Escapees will be too stupid to hide next door because BR will be the first place cops will search.
 
I would say correct in terms of distance to the jail is relative.  However, you living along the way to the jail.  Every time you tell your peeps directions..

"Yeah just head down Alton, pass the Jail.. and you are there".  I couldn't get over that when looking at BR.  Obviously you have choices to make.. MRs are higher and property is more costly in Irvine.. but you simply get what you pay for.  BR is still relatively high in terms of pricing (relatively).. so you got decisions to make.  If living in Irvine is not worth the extra.. 6-7K a year.. then it's your choice.
 
Musick Honor Farm is what you will tell your friends. The street has been renamed to Honor farm Road to keeping Irvine's image positive.

Other Trivia to know is Edinger becomes Irvine center dr. Dyer becomes Barranca. Warner just disappeared

Jose Pedro Gutierrez crosses over to the Irvine side from Santa Ana becomes Qwerty.
 
Most of my friends don't even know that a jail exists here.  None of them even noticed the fences until I pointed it out to them.  They just assumed it was fences with some barb wire and maybe had something to do with the former air base.  If I want people to get lost on their way up to BR, than I'ld definitely tell them just pass the jail, they'll keep driving wondering where's the jail?
 
interesting.. it's not hard to notice. but if your friends don't notice it.. then kudos to that.

tunnel-vision.jpg
 
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