[quote author="Roo" date=1252277777][quote author="not a realtor" date=1252276284]I for the life of me cannot figure out why anyone would live in Shaday Canyon or Coto. If you're going to live in Socal, live by the beach. Otherwise you're just overpaying for an Arizona life. This is particularly true in Coto. Heck, Coto is probably closer to the 909 than the Ocean. Socal is expensive because of the ocean and beach lifestyle. Ladera, Coto, Mission Viejo, Shady, etc. I just don't get it. Mostly cookie cutter, tract, insta homes you can find anywhere. Irvine to some extent makes sense. Even though it's hot, sterile, and far from the beach at least it's close to work for many people.</blockquote>
I can't disagree any more.
Have you been to AZ? the weather is no wehre close to what it is in all the places you mentionned. It's been really hot the last couple of weeks, but that's about it. Go in AZ and it's been in the 100 since April.
SoCal is not ALL about the beach. Personally, I'm not a big beach fan, I like to see it, sometimes go take a walk in the sand, but I'm no surfer. However, I like the outdoors and there are thousands of things you can do all year long in SoCal.
If I'd buy in Newport Coast it would only be for the ocean view. Shady canyon is nicely located just as well as Newport Coast for me. About other areas like Coto, Mission, Ladera, Talega that you don't get, well think how much more land and sf you get there compared to Irvine. Also, keep in mind some poeple are retired or don't work in Irvine and these places are closer to their work.</blockquote>
socal really is all about the beach. it is the only reason socal enjoys higher property values than the most of the country. if you're not a beach person why live here? Maybe you have a job here but you could probably get one in another state and have a better quality of life due to cost of living. You mention newport coast but say it is because of the ocean view (ie the beach). shady canyon is in a pit full of dry shrubs. Yes you can get bigger lots/houses in ladera, etc. It's because people like living there less due to heat, distance from the ocean, etc. If you like the cookie cutter, car culture, insta cities filled with tract homes there is plenty of that around the country where you really can get a bigger lot and house. Whether you surf or not the draw for socal is for most the ocean and the property values for the most part bear that out. The further from the water generally the cheaper the community. maybe you are one of the exceptions. I maintain living in south inland oc in particular is really overpaying for a lifestyle available many other places for half the price.