Irvine for the weekend

I%26#39;m going to be Irvine on a business trip for the weekend. Any recommendations for what to see/do, places to eat? I%26#39;ll have a car so nearby places are okay.

Also, I%26#39;m considering moving there. Any recommendations on areas to consider living and not living?

Thanks!

Irvine for the weekend

Irvine is boring, dull, boring, and dull. The only thing to do in that town is visit the Irvine Spectrum, which is just a large outdoor shopping center and amphitheater. Try spending your weekend in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, or somewhere else coastside. Even Anaheim (Disneyland) and Buena Park (Knott%26#39;s Berry Farm) are more interesting!

Orange County (along with Ventura County) is about as dull as it gets for coastal California. (I%26#39;d choose Ventura of Orange, for the record.) The beach itself is nice, sure, but unless you%26#39;re rich you won%26#39;t be living anywhere near it. However, if you have a family and want a conservative, suburban life, then Irvine and the master-planned communities surrounding it will be just what you%26#39;re looking for! Good luck. :)

Irvine for the weekend

I moved to the OC from Chicago many years ago when the population down here was much less. However, it is still a great place to be single or raise a family. Look into the communities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel or Dana Point since they are close to or at the ocean. Pockets of new homes and condo%26#39;s are still available. The more inland you go prices may decline but the heat increases. Living in the OC may cost you more in gas but you are also an hour and half to Palm Springs and the mountains for a quick getaway!!!

Irvine is a GREAT community with great schools too. It is also home to UCI. It is very family oriented but more of a yuppie/2 parent working community. Some parts are expensive and you will find that many Doctors live in these parts.

Irvine Spectrum is a fabulous mall! There is lots of new homes in Irvine...but coming from Illinois, you will have sticker shock at our home prices. I see they are building new town homes/condos near the Spectrum.

Aliso Viejo is another beautiful community. All the major streets are windy with lots and lots of trees. Most everything was built in the last 8 years...schools, stores, restaurants etc. Just have to watch out for the Mello Roos and Audubon Bird fee. Families with young children are moving to Ladera Ranch but that is further away.

Our cities are small. You can easily live in one city and commute to work but the worst OC commute is the 405 drive north in the evening.

And if you live Inland...the commute to and from work (that is going to OC and back) is pure hell! My Dad lives in Chino Hills..beautiful, big cheaper new home, super hot in summer and great planned community. BUT I cant leave for his home any later than 3 in the evening or before 10 in the morning. A 40 minute drive will take about 1 1/2 hours.

For touristy fun stuff, you need to drive to Newport, Laguna etc.