Sense of Community

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1226028145]I am grateful for several old timers who are the local historians keeping tracks of families and their history.</blockquote>


And in time, they will pass the mantle to you.
 
[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>


We had two neighbors do that to us at our rental. Costco cake but free and good nonetheless...
 
We like the NB area because of easy commute, good schools and weather but the price is still too high for us. I think that TRock is more affordable. I am also not sure of the general attitude in NB (I've had friends in NB with kids go to B-parties and receive a diamond necklace for a party favor - 10 year old party! Or an all day bash for the kids and adults with entertainers, caterers, horses, etc. I don't think I can compete with that and I don't want my children to feel that they need all that to be satisfied.)



I like Turtle Rock because of its schools, and location (easy commute, no freeways). I am just wondering if kids actually play at parks there.



I also like Ladera Ranch and have friends there that love it there, esp. because of the neighborly feel. However, the commute time is obviously a drawback.



I guess we all have to prioritize and figure out what we are willing to give up and what we are willing to keep. (I do remember that when I was young, I lived in a nice family neighborhood close to the center of town with lots of kids to play with and nice neighbors...sigh.)
 
[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>


This was the case with us when we bought our place in West Irvine. We had met a number of our neighbors before we even moved in. We would see them on weekends when we went to visit the construction site to monitor progress on the house... Despite having moved, we retained some of those West Irvine friendships. I think this is more the case in tracts with smaller / starter homes though.
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1226028735][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. My wife and I also have a baby along the way and are looking for a younger community to meet friends and create a future as we just moved here not that long ago.



Thank you for all your inputs so far, they are very helpful and thanks Kayo for starting this thread.</blockquote>


The wife has a bun in the oven bv?! Congrats man... Wait for Stonegate or Orchard Hills. If you get a starter-sized place, you'll meet all your neighbors and they will all have young kids too.
 
<blockquote>Same here. My wife and I also have a baby along the way and are looking for a younger community to meet friends and create a future as we just moved here not that long ago.



Thank you for all your inputs so far, they are very helpful and thanks Kayo for starting this thread.



The wife has a bun in the oven bv?! Congrats man... Wait for Stonegate or Orchard Hills. If you get a starter-sized place, you'll meet all your neighbors and they will all have young kids too.</blockquote>


Yes sir and thanks!
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1226022489]

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>


you wont get the brownie greetings but theres quite a bit of social interaction in woodbury due to the density and young adults. the halloween parade was tremendous. there were several hundred folks out. there's defin certain cliques that have formed in the community. the stroller mommies seem to all know each other, same goes for all the dog owners, etc. it naturally get to know people if you fall into a group, but just knocking on your neighbors door with a strange concoction for them to eat will get you labeled the weird guy on the block.



speaking of which, what happened this halloween anyway? it seemed like the number of trick or treaters just exploded this yr.
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1226032420]<blockquote>Same here. My wife and I also have a baby along the way and are looking for a younger community to meet friends and create a future as we just moved here not that long ago.



Thank you for all your inputs so far, they are very helpful and thanks Kayo for starting this thread.



The wife has a bun in the oven bv?! Congrats man... Wait for Stonegate or Orchard Hills. If you get a starter-sized place, you'll meet all your neighbors and they will all have young kids too.</blockquote>


Yes sir and thanks! We found out about 3 weeks ago. She is 2 months now and the happiest thing alive which makes me very happy in return. For $2.5 on ebay I bought like a bundle of 8, 20% off single item coupons at Babies r US. (I'm cheap like that) So we will go on a decent shopping spree and she can't wait. Thats where we are headed this weekend.

But I appreciate your advice and will most likely take it.</blockquote>


Besides my fantastic knowledge of Irvine real estate, I am also a self-professed guru of baby gear... One of my staff, who is due in February, is doing cartwheels today because I am handing down our Peg Perego stroller to her and it'll save her $300-400. Ah, the joys of your last child turning two! Getting rid of baby junk!!!



Make sure your Costco membership is paid up. You'll be buying a lot of Kirkland wipes and if you're smart, Kirkland diapers. They are actually better and nicer than Huggies, Pampers, etc. IMHO.
 
<blockquote>Besides my fantastic knowledge of Irvine real estate, I am also a self-professed guru of baby gear... One of my staff, who is due in February, is doing cartwheels today because I am handing down our Peg Perego stroller to her and it'll save her $300-400. Ah, the joys of your last child turning two! Getting rid of baby junk!!!



Make sure your Costco membership is paid up. You'll be buying a lot of Kirkland wipes and if you're smart, Kirkland diapers. They are actually better and nicer than Huggies, Pampers, etc. IMHO.</blockquote>


Yes...yes...your knowledge is truly something. What other junk you selling?
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1226039350]<blockquote>Besides my fantastic knowledge of Irvine real estate, I am also a self-professed guru of baby gear... One of my staff, who is due in February, is doing cartwheels today because I am handing down our Peg Perego stroller to her and it'll save her $300-400. Ah, the joys of your last child turning two! Getting rid of baby junk!!!



Make sure your Costco membership is paid up. You'll be buying a lot of Kirkland wipes and if you're smart, Kirkland diapers. They are actually better and nicer than Huggies, Pampers, etc. IMHO.</blockquote>


Yes...yes...your knowledge is truly something. What other junk you selling?



As far as Costco...that is exactly where I wanted to get diapers - a whole pallot. However, my wife had second thoughts and was worried about Kirkland diapers and wanted to go with something more "safe" like Huggies & Pampers. I was like please...and had to remind her that in my country I wore cloth diapers...(you know wash rinse repeat) and yet nothing happend to me or all the other kids so I'm sure that Kirklands will do.



BUT now that I have you a self-professed guru of baby gear stating that Kirklands is even BETTER than Huggies/Pampers...I'll win this case with ease. I feel invincible....I think...</blockquote>


Cloth diapers are better for you and the environment. When my kids were born, cloth diapers were more expensive.
 
<blockquote>Cloth diapers are better for you and the environment. When my kids were born, cloth diapers were more expensive.</blockquote>




Maybe I'll suggest that to my wife...she'll get a kick out of it.
 
As I read it, it is an environmental toss-up.



Disposables fill up the landfill and take lots of plastic/paper/energy to produce and deliver.



Cloth uses a lot of water/energy to launder. Most things I've read say that using a diaper service is preferable, so then you get the transport costs too, but maybe lower energy/water since they use more efficient equipment.
 
[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 agree. We are moving to Glenwood in Aliso Viejo. We do not move until December, and have already met so many neighbors that are young professionals like ourselves, many just starting families. I have read the Aliso thread and understand it's not for everyone, and there are many things about the city that seemed to be planned poorly. However, I think Glenwood is a bit different and feels like a little mini city within itself. It seems that all the neighbors are welcoming and really looking for that sense of community. And...on a side note--for some reason (most likely the community being on a golf course) there seems to be a slight breeze that is very nice. Some residents sit on their front porch in the evening and enjoy the cool breeze. I'm sure I'm biased, but I have never lived in a neighborhood that has had a sense of community such as this one, had to put my 2 cents in. ;)
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1226039350]<blockquote>Besides my fantastic knowledge of Irvine real estate, I am also a self-professed guru of baby gear... One of my staff, who is due in February, is doing cartwheels today because I am handing down our Peg Perego stroller to her and it'll save her $300-400. Ah, the joys of your last child turning two! Getting rid of baby junk!!!



Make sure your Costco membership is paid up. You'll be buying a lot of Kirkland wipes and if you're smart, Kirkland diapers. They are actually better and nicer than Huggies, Pampers, etc. IMHO.</blockquote>


Yes...yes...your knowledge is truly something. What other junk you selling?



As far as Costco...that is exactly where I wanted to get diapers - a whole pallot. However, my wife had second thoughts and was worried about Kirkland diapers and wanted to go with something more "safe" like Huggies & Pampers. I was like please...and had to remind her that in my country I wore cloth diapers...(you know wash rinse repeat) and yet nothing happend to me or all the other kids so I'm sure that Kirklands will do.



BUT now that I have you a self-professed guru of baby gear stating that Kirklands is even BETTER than Huggies/Pampers...I'll win this case with ease. I feel invincible....I think...</blockquote>


These will help your wife to see the light:



http://www.viewpoints.com/Kirkland-Diapers-All-Sizes-reviews

http://www.epinions.com/reviews/Kirkland_Signature_Supreme_Diapers
 
[quote author="freedomCM" date=1226041434]As I read it, it is an environmental toss-up.



Disposables fill up the landfill and take lots of plastic/paper/energy to produce and deliver.



Cloth uses a lot of water/energy to launder. Most things I've read say that using a diaper service is preferable, so then you get the transport costs too, but maybe lower energy/water since they use more efficient equipment.</blockquote>
I meant diaper service. They deliver cloth diapers right?
 
I believe all of the diaper services have gone out of business (if there are any left, they have got to be very few and far between.)



I know this ain't a diaper thread, but I've been up to my elbows in $#!+ for the last 5 years, so I feel qualified enough to weigh in on the topic. A big part of what will work for you coming out of one end, depends on what's going in the other end. A breastfed baby has much different p00ps than a formula-fed baby. The breastfed baby will poop more often and many times it is explosive. The formula-fed baby poops less often and it's a little more contained. (Don't let this little detail sway you, though. Breast is best for the baby - read up on it.) Some of the brands of diapers work better than others for various babies. It's good to try different brands but that said, when you find one that works, it's good to stick with it else you should end up with an entire case of diapers you'll never use. I've never tried Kirkland but have always used Huggies (still bought from Costco, no less, so you can save money either way.) Some diapers have flexible sides, some don't. Some are gender-specific, some aren't. Some are more thin and papery than others while thicker ones seem to contain the mess better. Some are cut differently than others and will work best for a certain size baby. There is a huge trend now of going back to the old days of using cloth diapers. I've heard raves about <a href="http://www.fuzzibunz.com/">Fuzzi Bunz.</a> Today's cloth diaper is nothing like the ones of yesteryear. No more diaper pins are needed. They now come equipped with snaps or velcro. Most don't even need rubber pants over them.



Happy diaper-ing!
 
[quote author="BMP 309" date=1226044374][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 agree. We are moving to Glenwood in Aliso Viejo. We do not move until December, and have already met so many neighbors that are young professionals like ourselves, many just starting families. I have read the Aliso thread and understand it's not for everyone, and there are many things about the city that seemed to be planned poorly. However, I think Glenwood is a bit different and feels like a little mini city within itself. It seems that all the neighbors are welcoming and really looking for that sense of community. And...on a side note--for some reason (most likely the community being on a golf course) there seems to be a slight breeze that is very nice. Some residents sit on their front porch in the evening and enjoy the cool breeze. I'm sure I'm biased, but I have never lived in a neighborhood that has had a sense of community such as this one, had to put my 2 cents in. ;)</blockquote>


Now, that sounds like Panda's kinda community. I am sure that Glenwood neighbors will greet new comers to the community with Brownies and Chocolate Cakes UNLIKE your neighbors in Woodbury. :)
 
[quote author="PANDA" date=1226063249][quote author="BMP 309" date=1226044374][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 agree. We are moving to Glenwood in Aliso Viejo. We do not move until December, and have already met so many neighbors that are young professionals like ourselves, many just starting families. I have read the Aliso thread and understand it's not for everyone, and there are many things about the city that seemed to be planned poorly. However, I think Glenwood is a bit different and feels like a little mini city within itself. It seems that all the neighbors are welcoming and really looking for that sense of community. And...on a side note--for some reason (most likely the community being on a golf course) there seems to be a slight breeze that is very nice. Some residents sit on their front porch in the evening and enjoy the cool breeze. I'm sure I'm biased, but I have never lived in a neighborhood that has had a sense of community such as this one, had to put my 2 cents in. ;)</blockquote>


Now, that sounds like Panda's kinda community. I am sure that Glenwood neighbors will greet new comers to the community with Brownies and Chocolate Cakes UNLIKE your neighbors in Woodbury. :)</blockquote>


Does Glenwood has Mello Roos? How about HOA?
 
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