A GUIDE TO LIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY

A GUIDE TO LIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY LIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY Entering a graduate program and moving to a new city can be both exciting and challenging...
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A GUIDE TO LIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY

LIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY Entering a graduate program and moving to a new city can be both exciting and challenging. We’ve put together a quick insider’s guide to Irvine and Orange County to help familiarize you with the area, navigate the neighborhoods and housing options, and find fun events, attractions, and local haunts. Some basic facts: Irvine, California, is a planned city, having been developed since the beginning of 1960’s. It has been ranked the fourth best place to live in the U.S. Orange County – popularly known as “The O.C.” – is second in state population to L.A. County, and is famous for tourism and beaches. Generally, neighborhoods/areas closer to the coast will offer the best oceanside views, but will also be most expensive. The Chicago School is adjacent to University Center Irvine (UCI), and student off-campus housing is available and plentiful. The following are some of the areas that Chicago School students may consider living, including areas where current students reside. Irvine – Irvine is family friendly, ranked by the FBI as “America’s Safest Big City” for the last seven years, and located a half hour from top attractions like Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Disneyland Park®, and Knott’s Berry Farm. Irvine is a perfect combination of outdoor beach life, world class shopping, and performing arts. University Town Center – In the midst of vibrant campus life, with housing available that caters to the student culture. Neighborhoods include Turtle Rock, Oak Creek, and Quail Hill.

Balboa Island– One of the most popular student housing areas in Orange County, relaxed and homey, in proximity of UCI. See also the Balboa Penisula and the pricier Newport Beach. Costa Mesa – North/Central O.C., more residential, with single family homes, apartments, and condo complexes, as well as smaller units tucked in behind other homes. Near SoBeCa, an alternative “mall” with yoga, vintage retailers, and restaurants. Huntington Beach – Great recreational and Pacific Coast living, with many attractive and interesting areas for student housing in various price ranges. Santa Ana– More diverse and affordable. Called “Downtown Orange County” because of its status as the most populous city, and has many visual and performing arts centers. Tustin– About 10 miles from UCI, this rapidly growing city is popular – along with Tustin Ranch – with students searching for lower rent. Laguna Beach – South Orange County, about 12 miles from UCI, offers a wide variety of housing accommodations. Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel – These new and fast growing cities, along with Aliso Viejo, Mission Viego, and Ranch Santa Margarita, are southern O.C. alternatives with a variety of housing options, about 10-15 miles from UCI.

APARTMENT FINDING SERVICES Apartments in Irvine – irvinerentals.net Student Housing near the UCI – housing.uci.edu Apartment Hunterz – apartmenthunterz.com

Things to do in Orange County

In the ever-changing world of “The O.C.” and Irvine, there’s always something happening. Whether it’s music, sports, or shopping, you’ll enjoy exploring and planning for a variety of activities.

Museums

Festivals

Orange County Museum of Art

Newport Beach Film Festival

Orange County Center Contemporary Art

The Orange County Fair

The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art

Sawdust Art Festival

Heritage Museum of Orange County

Holiday Circle Fest

Laguna Art Museum Mission San Juan Capistrano International Surfing Museum The Muzeo Museum

Theater

Visit these websites to learn more about events, entertainment, and attractions: OrangeCounty.com VisitTheOC.com

Nearby Sports Teams

KillerOrange.com

The Mighty Ducks (NHL Hockey)

OCWeekly.com

The Angels (AL Baseball) The Orange County Flyers (Minor League Baseball)

Other Attractions Orange County Beaches – orangecounty.net/html/beaches.html

South Coast Repertory

Orange County Parks – ocparks.com

Chance Theater

Knotts Berry Farm – knotts.com

Laguna Playhouse

Santa Ana Zoo – santaanazoo.org

Hunger Artist Theatre Company

Disneyland – disneyland.disney.go.com

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Fullerton Arboretum – fullertonarboretum.org

Bren Events Center Camino Real Playhouse Irvine Barclay Theater

Although California is known for its car culture, Orange County has been evolving its public transportation options. Here is a guide to the alternatives available.

In Orange County METROLINK TRAINS have three lines and eleven stations in Orange County. Plus, you can connect to Metrolink lines in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties:

GETTING AROUND ORANGE COUNTY

Blue Line 91 Line travels from Riverside Downtown to L.A. Union Station Pink Line IEOC Line travels from San Juan Capistrano to San Bernadino Orange Line Orange County Line travels from Oceanside to L.A. Union Station

BUSES (OCTA): Getting around Orange County can be easy and inexpensive when you ride the bus. OCTA’s countywide system has 77 bus routes and 6,200 bus stops to get you practically anywhere you want to go in Orange County.

TAXIS: Several taxi services provide transportation to and from the airports as well as to surrounding areas. The best option is to call and request pick-up; taxis are not as plentiful as they are in some large cities. Visit abcride.com or anytaxi.com or more information.

Payment Options: METROLINK: Metrolink fares are based on where you start and end your trip using the shortest driving distance. Options include one-way, roundtrip, 10-ride, and monthly passes. Students get a 10% discount for 10-ride and monthly passes.

OCTA BUSES: Various fare structures. Students can buy a one-time “University Pass” for unlimited bus rides (see online for details).

Complete train station/route information, more options, and exact fares available at octa.net

A GUIDE TO LIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY