Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? |
This part of California is truly a paradise, in that the weather is not too cold and not too hot, all year round. It rains a little in the fall and winter, but not enough to make you wish you weren't there. The summers are just about perfect and if it ever gets too hot, which is rare, then the beach is just a few miles down the road. The Southern California winds known as Santa Anas blow through Orange a couple of times a year. These winds touch just about every part of California's lower counties but are only considered a bit inconvenient by most Orange residents. | | There are several universities and colleges around town and cars get broken into quite frequently. Theft and burglaries seem to be the most heinous of crimes in this area, although loud partying from frat houses and among young people in general, can cause the police to come by. Generally speaking, Orange is a rather quaint and well behaved town with no reputation for wildness or crime. | | The general consensus as to what is the best part of Orange to live in is around Old Town. That's where all the great restaurants and shopping are and tat's where you can walk around and window shop and feel very secure. There are also several schools, colleges and a famous university is located, so the area is occupied by a seemingly more gentile crowd than at the average mall. Some of the less sanguine parts of town, shall we say, are to the north of the Old Town section, which cuts into Garden Grove and Anaheim and to the far west of the town, which borders Westminster and the city of Santa Ana. These are neighborhoods that you don't necessarily want to take a stroll in whether it's day or night. Orange, especially Old Town and neighborhoods like Orange Park Acres, are very desirable living areas and can be expensive to live in. They are seemingly inhabited by well educated, and upper middle class residents who where very nice clothes and drive sensible if expensive cars. | | It would be easy to say that everybody would fit into Orange California, but it's simply not so. Of course, there's a neighborhood for everyone in this great country, and so it is in Orange too. However, having said that, Orange used to be a city of highly educated, white upper middle class and upwardly mobile residents. Now it can be said that anyone who is highly educated, upper middle class and upwardly mobile can aspire to fit in to the social structure of this fine city. Except on the northern and western outskirts, which will pretty much accept anyone.s |
Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life |
The Block at Orange is a terrific mall and it's actually a great place to spend a day or just a few hours. It has pretty much everything: great stores, restaurants and movie theatres. Old Town is the pick of many discerning shoppers, however. It's truly a wonderful getaway and you can find great food, antiques galore and simply good shopping. | | Orange Hill Restaurant is one of the finest you're going to encounter in Southern California. It actually sits on a small hill in Orange and has some of the best food and finest service in the county. Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen serves remarkable and authentic Mexican food. | | Orange has some very good public schools. This city is known as an educational center within the county and besides its public schools, there are several colleges and the famous Chapman University. | | Every college town provides ample opportunities for singles, and Orange is no different. Even if you're older than college age, there are innumerable clubs, restaurants and Old Town to peruse for your soul mate. Newport Beach and other great beach towns are only a few miles down the road if you need some fresh air or even more opportunities. |
Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions |
Freeway noise is all you have to worry about as far as that kind of pollution is concerned. The 5, 57, 22 and 55 freeways all cut their way through Orange so just stay away from those and you'll get a good night's sleep. | | Orange is a wonderful place to spend the day. Disneyland is too, but it will cost you an arm and a leg to spend the day there. Orange has a lot going for it. Old Town certainly is an attraction and once you set foot in that little enclave, you'll never forget the pleasure and nostalgia and feeling of security that it brought you. Anaheim, where Disneyland is located, is right next to Orange. There's really nothing special about Anaheim except that the happiest place on earth is within its borders. There are too many motels, too many cheap eateries and too many liquor stores in that town to even consider taking a leisurely stroll on a whim. Santa Ana, just to the east of Orange is a big city filled with people and cars and smog and a lot of crime. However, it would be unfair to say that there is nothing nice about Santa Ana. There is something nice about Santa Ana: Orange is right next door. | | St. Joseph Hospital and UCI Medical Center are the hospitals to go to when you need one. These are world-class medical centers and have state of the art equipment along with some of the best medical personnel in the country. | | Old Town is the nicest place in Orange. If you're going to visit something in this city, see Old Town. On the other hand, Disneyland is only five minutes from Old Town. So, if you want to be in the happiest place or simply be in a hppy place, these are two great options for you. |
General comments | | | | | | |
Orange is an interesting blend of rustic old fashioned Americana thrown together with the steel and glass high rise anonymity of the 21st century. The new buildings give it a feeling of "Hey, look at us!" while the Old Town district seems to gently insist upon genuineness and realism. That is, the Old Town area is simply more fun to be around because it harkens back to an era that doesn't exist in this country anymore. It also makes you wish that Old Town existed in every city, not just Orange. | | | | | | |