Sense of Community

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kayochan_IHB

New member
As I narrow my search for the "perfect" neighborhood to buy in, I would like to get everyone's input on what specific neighborhoods have a good sense of community. To me, a good sense of community means friendly neighbors who want to get to know each other and do BBQs, etc, and a home association that encourages social committees/clubs within the neighborhood and puts on social events.





We specifically looked at Turtle Ridge (spoke to a couple of people that live there and they told us that they really don't get together with their neighbors and most kids go to the park with their nannies), Newport Coast (same feedback as TR from people who live there), Woodbury (one person that lives there told me their neighbors are friendly and the association puts on events. also saw their HOA site which listed photos of past events and list of social clubs in the neighborhood), and Portola Springs (havn't met or spoken to anyone that lives there but looked at their HOA site. They don't have a social committee yet and don't think they have had very many events (past events not listed on their HOA site)).





We would like a newer neighborhood so that there will be little kids for our kids to play with. Please let me know if you have lived in a neighborhood that has the qualities we are looking for (can be outside of Irvine) or know/heard about such a neighborhood.





thank you!


Kayo
 
Our HOA has an event at the community park once per quarter, which is for kids and their parents (e.g., Santa visit, pumpkin carving, etc.). Other than that, the HOA has no social events. We also don't get together with our neighbors. As far as I can tell, much of Irvine socializes based on their interests, friendships made from school, and other bases other than geographical proximity.
 
I lived or worked in most of the cities that make up OC and that kind of "community" is rare there. When I lived back east there were several block parties and neighborhood-based events on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the SoCal lifestyle and attitude doesn't really lend itself to that kind of socialization in my opinion; most things are destination-based, i.e. the beach, the mall, the bar.
 
<p>Kayo -- good topic. I'll be interested to see what folks have to say about their respective neighborhoods. I'll agree with ELS that in Irvine it seems most connections are based on shared interests such as kids. I don't know how old your kids are yet, but I can tell you in my experience as the parent of a 4 year old, almost ALL of our "Irvine" friends originated from kid activities. There is an endless loop of birthday parties, preschool parties/fundraisers, and other activites (gymnastics, swimming, dance, music, etc etc). All of these are opportunites to make friends with the other parents in the area --- although maybe not right on your street. </p>

<p>If you kids are young and in preschool and it is convenient, I highly recommend you check out Turtle Rock Preschool. We go there, and I can tell you there is very active parent involvment which creates opportunies to build relationships in the community.</p>
 
Thanx everyone for your feedback so far!



CK: i do like TR. Our only concern was that since it is an older area, there won't be very many little kids (pre-school and school age).
 
<p>I personally have noticed that a more diversified community does not lend itself to camaraderie. The younger asians, iranians, and caucasians, etc.. mingle together ok, but still tend to hang with each other. Older ethnic groups or 1st generation immigrants are definitely much more quiet and reserved. Obviously there are still language barriers here.</p>

<p>I think the idea of the all-american back yard barbeque is properly named. Housing by and large is compact here in Orange County. We just don't have big yards and houses were we can have a bunch of people over. I agree that destination parties, ie the beach, the malls, the desert, etc are very popular. Perhaps the reason why at-home get-togethers are more popular in other areas is because there just isn't that much to do!!</p>
 
if your kids are young (under 4 years old), join the local moms' club so they will meet other kids and have play dates. methinks most neighborhoods have one - woodbridge, quail hill, turtle rock, etc.





the newer neighborhoods (woodbury, quail hill, turtle ridge) have more kids in general than older areas like turtle rock and woodbridge. the sense of community often will not come until a school is built. for that reason i would stay away from portola.





good luck
 
just wanted to revive this topic since I'm looking for the same thing. We've a four year old and a baby is on the way. The place where we are renting currently(not Irvine) is extremely good for kids. I am tempted to rent here forever without buying :) as my son has lots of friends to play with. But we've been waiting forever for the prices to come down and if we do end up buying would like a place where my son won't miss his old home so much. Would love to hear from anyone who can suggest a good community in Irvine.
 
Yes, it seems that there are a lot of kids in apts. I have a friend at a Westpark apt. who saids that her kids are always outside playing with neighborhood children at the apt.



By the way, does anyone know what parks do kids in North TRock play at? I don't see any public parks on the north side of TRock.
 
[quote author="kayochan" date=1226015752]Yes, it seems that there are a lot of kids in apts. I have a friend at a Westpark apt. who saids that her kids are always outside playing with neighborhood children at the apt.



By the way, does anyone know what parks do kids in North TRock play at? I don't see any public parks on the north side of TRock.</blockquote>


Kids in north TRock are likely older and don't play much in parks...
 
TR for Turtle Rock or Turtle Ridge? In both areas that you are refering to you will not find 4 year old kids because the homes are priced in the upper strata. Families with a 4 year old are relatively young and most likely have not yet accumulated enough wealth to live in these 2 locations. There are always exceptions like trust fund generation with young kids, young family renters spending most of their earning renting a house or an apartment in Turtle Ridge or successful 40+ executives in their second marriage with a young toddlers. What ever the case may be there is not enough of a critical mass of young children in both locations forming a support group.



Here is a rule of thumb for you. When homes are pricier and so is the pretentious attitude of the residents. In my career I dealt with this demographic for many years. Many of the residents in pricier neighborhoods are very private and their social circle is discreet.



You are interested in places where moms with stroller at the same place at the same time are seen everyday. Aliso Viejo, RSM. Ladera Ranch and the entry price level villages of Irvine like West Irvine and the Villages of Columbus you will find them. They are friendly and social. You will have much better luck in making friends in these neighborhoods.
 
West Irvine has a decent sense of community. Kids play outside with each other. People talk. I met IR2 that way. We have friends that moved away from West Irvine to Woodbury and their primary complaint is re: Woodbury is the lack of neighborly interaction. I have heard similar complaints with regards to Northpark and the Northwood neighborhoods. Interestingly enough, we have friends that just moved from RSM to Oak Creek, and they have had more positive neighbor interaction that I thought. I prepped them for the worst but evidently there are kids on their street that play outside with each other and such. We rent in Harvard Square and it has a more of a community flavor than the more premium Irvine areas. It's very skewed based on race though. The white people on my street talk and socialize a bit. The asian families are nice but keep to themselves for the most part...
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1226021939]TR for Turtle Rock or Turtle Ridge? In both areas that you are refering to you will not find 4 year old kids because the homes are priced in the upper strata. Families with a 4 year old are relatively young and most likely have not yet accumulated enough wealth to live in these 2 locations. There are always exceptions like trust fund generation with young kids, young family renters spending most of their earning renting a house or an apartment in Turtle Ridge or successful 40+ executives in their second marriage with a young toddlers. What ever the case may be there is not enough of a critical mass of young children in both locations forming a support group.



Here is a rule of thumb for you. When homes are pricier and so is the pretentious attitude of the residents. In my career I dealt with this demographic for many years. Many of the residents in pricier neighborhoods are very private and their social circle is discreet.



You are interested in places where moms with stroller at the same place at the same time are seen everyday. Aliso Viejo, RSM. Ladera Ranch and the entry price level villages of Irvine like West Irvine and the Villages of Columbus you will find them. They are friendly and social. You will have much better luck in making friends in these neighborhoods.</blockquote>


That's for sure BK,



I did not get the impression that when a new family moves to Woodbury, that their next door neighbor will knock on your door with brownies and cake saying, " Welcome to our neighborhood. My name is so and so." Perhaps it is just an Irvine thing. I sensed that neighbors would be more like that in Aliso Viejo.
 
BK:



You mentioned Aliso Viejo, RSM and VoC, but aren't these also the same neighborhoods that you have criticized in the past (AV - bad feng shui and general architecture, RSM - bad architecture, etc.).



Are there any neighborhoods in Irvine that would have happy children playing at parks and friendly neighbors?
 
[quote author="kayochan" date=1226022619]BK:



You mentioned Aliso Viejo, RSM and VoC, but aren't these also the same neighborhoods that you have criticized in the past (AV - bad feng shui and general architecture, RSM - bad architecture, etc.).



Are there any neighborhoods in Irvine that would have happy children playing at parks and friendly neighbors?</blockquote>


My taste in architecture and community aesthetic is personal. I am fair in presenting the attributes of every communities. Yes these places get a "D" grade on my criteria but at the same time the residents who live there are good people with limited budget. They placed a higher value in the quality of family and social life than the rate of their RE appreciation. Your interest is family and social interaction so I listed the neighborhood without any partiality. Thank you for paying attention to my posts.
 
[quote author="Nude" date=1196275380]the SoCal lifestyle and attitude doesn't really lend itself to that kind of socialization in my opinion; most things are destination-based, i.e. the beach, the mall, the bar.</blockquote>


I would be curious as to how much more transitory Southern California is than the rest of the nation.



We're obviously plagued (and blessed) with a combination of ultra-volatile real estate markets, natural disasters, incredibly high cost of living, huge immigrant communities and the greatest weather in the lower 48, especially near the water. All would seem to make LA/OC/SD places that have transitory peoples.



As much as I despise prop 13, it probably counteracts this a little and gives some neighborhoods what little glue they have.
 
In new home developments, ususally an entire street moves in at the same time so you will likely meet most of your neighbors just from all the moving activity. Also, you will need to get your neighbors to sign off on your landscape plans so this will force you to get to know your immediate neighbors whether you like it or not.
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1226022489][quote author="bkshopr" date=1226021939]TR for Turtle Rock or Turtle Ridge? In both areas that you are refering to you will not find 4 year old kids because the homes are priced in the upper strata. Families with a 4 year old are relatively young and most likely have not yet accumulated enough wealth to live in these 2 locations. There are always exceptions like trust fund generation with young kids, young family renters spending most of their earning renting a house or an apartment in Turtle Ridge or successful 40+ executives in their second marriage with a young toddlers. What ever the case may be there is not enough of a critical mass of young children in both locations forming a support group.



Here is a rule of thumb for you. When homes are pricier and so is the pretentious attitude of the residents. In my career I dealt with this demographic for many years. Many of the residents in pricier neighborhoods are very private and their social circle is discreet.



You are interested in places where moms with stroller at the same place at the same time are seen everyday. Aliso Viejo, RSM. Ladera Ranch and the entry price level villages of Irvine like West Irvine and the Villages of Columbus you will find them. They are friendly and social. You will have much better luck in making friends in these neighborhoods.</blockquote>


That's for sure BK,



I did not get the impression that when a new family moves to Woodbury, that their next door neighbor will knock on your door with brownies and cake saying, " Welcome to our neighborhood. My name is so and so." Perhaps it is just an Irvine thing. I sensed that neighbors would be more like that in Aliso Viejo.</blockquote>
WestPark is like that. My neighbor throws block party and invites everybody in the neighborhood. New neighbors knock on my door with goodies from Japan. This is unlike other areas in CA that I've experienced. However, some older neighbors have sold houses and downgraded to a condo the minute their kids go to college.

As for TRidge, it does not have a lot of high schoolers either. I've inquired this about potential district bus stop to QH and TR and was told there were not enough people from these areas for a school bus to stop.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1226025419]In new home developments, ususally an entire street moves in at the same time so you will likely meet most of your neighbors just from all the moving activity. Also, you will need to get your neighbors to sign off on your landscape plans so this will force you to get to know your immediate neighbors whether you like it or not.</blockquote>


I live in a matured neighborhood and I am fortunate to say that I knew and met about 25% of the households through local community events. That is about 160 families. I am grateful for several old timers who are the local historians keeping tracks of families and their history.
 
[quote author="waiting08" date=1205296464]just wanted to revive this topic since I'm looking for the same thing. We've a four year old and a baby is on the way. The place where we are renting currently(not Irvine) is extremely good for kids. I am tempted to rent here forever without buying :) as my son has lots of friends to play with. But we've been waiting forever for the prices to come down and if we do end up buying would like a place where my son won't miss his old home so much. Would love to hear from anyone who can suggest a good community in Irvine.</blockquote>


Same here.
 
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