Orchard Hills vs Stonegate vs Eastwood

[Anteater Bruin]

Hello!

My husband and I are likely moving to Irvine at the end of the summer. We are looking into buying our first home.

We're trying to stay under $1MM as a starting point, with the understanding that it could go over once you factor in upgrades. And we would like a 4-bedroom. We have three sons; 6 months to 9 years old.

So we're looking at Terrazza in Orchard Hills and Marin in Eastwood Village.

Can anyone comment on these two areas? Schools are better for Marin but Orchard Hills is a nicer more rustic area, correct? What about parks, amenities? Backyards?

And are we better off considering something just over $1MM in Stonegate? Or Strada in Orchard Hills? We could technically afford those but just prefer to stay conservative with out first home and feel out how the next few years pan out.

Asking for opinions as part of my broader research.

 

[homer_simpson]

Have you checked out Portola Springs?  They have new builds there called Cressa/Legado that may fit your bill.  Portola Springs is a little more further out there in terms of location but you get a little more for your buck. 

 

[jmoney74]

The Schools are going to be new there.. although I believe the Jr High is still Jeffrey Trail.  PS elementary just opened up last year and the HS is opening up this Fall.  I'd check it out.. the value is there. 

 

[Anteater Bruin]

Thanks! Actually we did think about Legado but were told that the area is less desirable than Orchard Hills because of the toll roads. What are your thoughts on that?

(If my husband knows Homer Simpson recommended Legado, though, he'll go for it!)

Why do you think the real value is there? More land for money? 

 

[jmoney74]

Thanks! Actually we did think about Legado but were told that the area is less desirable than Orchard Hills because of the toll roads. What are your thoughts on that?

(If my husband knows Homer Simpson recommended Legado, though, he'll go for it!)

Why do you think the real value is there? More land for money?

Legado is not very close to the Toll roads.. it's more closer to Irvine Blvd.. so it's more like Great Park area. 

More sq footage for the money!

 

[iacrenter]

I was going to recommend resale for better value and no MR. But since Measure E passed, forget about it. 

I don't think there is anywhere in Irvine now that will not have MR. The only exceptions that come to mind is Lambert Ranch and the Campanile tract in North Park Square.

 

[jmoney74]

I was going to recommend resale for better value and no MR. But since Measure E passed, forget about it. 

I don't think there is anywhere in Irvine now that will not have MR. The only exceptions that come to mind is Lambert Ranch and the Campanile tract in North Park Square.

lol.. come on man.. $200 compared to thousands of dollars?  What's measure E going to cost you?

 

[Anteater Bruin]

Hmmm... Private driveways and decent backyards in Cressa. That's rare now, huh? We are actually from Irvine, back when homes were very affordable! We were just too young to do anything about it!

What about the proximity to Great Park? I heard at the Great Park neighborhoods they make you sign something that says you won't eat any fruits grown on your property. That scares me! Is this a problem in Portola Springs adjacent to Great Park?

 

[iacrenter]

I was going to recommend resale for better value and no MR. But since Measure E passed, forget about it. 

I don't think there is anywhere in Irvine now that will not have MR. The only exceptions that come to mind is Lambert Ranch and the Campanile tract in North Park Square.

lol.. come on man.. $200 compared to thousands of dollars?  What's measure E going to cost you?

You can tell I'm an anti-tax person, even at $200.

 

[homer_simpson]

Hmmm... Private driveways and decent backyards in Cressa. That's rare now, huh? We are actually from Irvine, back when homes were very affordable! We were just too young to do anything about it!

What about the proximity to Great Park? I heard at the Great Park neighborhoods they make you sign something that says you won't eat any fruits grown on your property. That scares me! Is this a problem in Portola Springs adjacent to Great Park?

I think USC posted something about not being able to plant anything at Cressa before too. 

 

[jmoney74]

Hmmm... Private driveways and decent backyards in Cressa. That's rare now, huh? We are actually from Irvine, back when homes were very affordable! We were just too young to do anything about it!

What about the proximity to Great Park? I heard at the Great Park neighborhoods they make you sign something that says you won't eat any fruits grown on your property. That scares me! Is this a problem in Portola Springs adjacent to Great Park?

I think USC posted something about not being able to plant anything at Cressa before too.

HOW ABOUT THAT WEED?

 

[Bubba]

Hello!

My husband and I are likely moving to Irvine at the end of the summer. We are looking into buying our first home.

We're trying to stay under $1MM as a starting point, with the understanding that it could go over once you factor in upgrades. And we would like a 4-bedroom. We have three sons; 6 months to 9 years old.

So we're looking at Terrazza in Orchard Hills and Marin in Eastwood Village.

Can anyone comment on these two areas? Schools are better for Marin but Orchard Hills is a nicer more rustic area, correct? What about parks, amenities? Backyards?

And are we better off considering something just over $1MM in Stonegate? Or Strada in Orchard Hills? We could technically afford those but just prefer to stay conservative with out first home and feel out how the next few years pan out.

Asking for opinions as part of my broader research.

Strada is not really an option for you, since they're close to selling out (on phase 28 of 30, I believe).  Is it important to you to have your own driveway?  What about TUSD versus IUSD?  I personally don't see what the big deal is.  I personally love Orchard Hills versus flat Eastwood and Stonegate (grid like), but that's just my preference.

 

[eyephone]

Hmmm... Private driveways and decent backyards in Cressa. That's rare now, huh? We are actually from Irvine, back when homes were very affordable! We were just too young to do anything about it!

What about the proximity to Great Park? I heard at the Great Park neighborhoods they make you sign something that says you won't eat any fruits grown on your property. That scares me! Is this a problem in Portola Springs adjacent to Great Park?

I think USC posted something about not being able to plant anything at Cressa before too.

HOW ABOUT THAT WEED?

They grow it in pots, inside the house with heat lamps. So it don't matter.

 

[WTTCHMN]

Hello!

My husband and I are likely moving to Irvine at the end of the summer. We are looking into buying our first home.

We're trying to stay under $1MM as a starting point, with the understanding that it could go over once you factor in upgrades. And we would like a 4-bedroom. We have three sons; 6 months to 9 years old.

So we're looking at Terrazza in Orchard Hills and Marin in Eastwood Village.

Can anyone comment on these two areas? Schools are better for Marin but Orchard Hills is a nicer more rustic area, correct? What about parks, amenities? Backyards?

And are we better off considering something just over $1MM in Stonegate? Or Strada in Orchard Hills? We could technically afford those but just prefer to stay conservative with out first home and feel out how the next few years pan out.

Asking for opinions as part of my broader research.

Strada is not really an option for you, since they're close to selling out (on phase 28 of 30, I believe).  Is it important to you to have your own driveway?  What about TUSD versus IUSD?  I personally don't see what the big deal is.  I personally love Orchard Hills versus flat Eastwood and Stonegate (grid like), but that's just my preference.

The public perception will always be IUSD > TUSD, regardless of whether it's true or not, just like Harvard > Yale.

 

[jmoney74]

AntEater.. plan 1 of Cressa is an SFR and I think going around 980.. you can also add a conservatory on the current phase.

 

[Anteater Bruin]

Thanks A S. I feel that way about TUSD vs IUSD. Certainly the schools Terrazza is zoned to see top notch. My husband feels differently though. Something for us to figure out I guess.

 

[Anteater Bruin]

AntEater.. plan 1 of Cressa is an SFR and I think going around 980.. you can also add a conservatory on the current phase.

Right. Not being able to eat fruit we plant on our property bothers me though.

And yes perception will always be IUSD is much better than TUSD. So just something we have to consider...

 

[eyephone]

AntEater.. plan 1 of Cressa is an SFR and I think going around 980.. you can also add a conservatory on the current phase.

Right. Not being able to eat fruit we plant on our property bothers me though.

And yes perception will always be IUSD is much better than TUSD. So just something we have to consider...

Are you planning to start a farm in your backyard?

 

[jmoney74]

build your own garden with your own soil.  Have you seen the backyards in these homes?  Not sure if you want your entire yard to be a garden.. but that will be it! 

 

[PSForever]

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