Orange County Neighborhoods

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Woodbridge Lake Park in Irvine, California
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Irvine

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…designed to run like clockwork


Developed by the privately held Irvine Company in the 1960s, Irvine is one of the most intricately planned neighborhoods in Orange County. It’s divided into townships called villages, which are then separated by six-lane streets. Each township contains a full spectrum of services, places of worship, schools and shopping plazas and commercial areas are then checkerboarded around a residential area.

Homeowners’ associations monitor the appearance of homes, and in some cases, each house’s roofing, paint color and landscaping are regulated. Occasionally, the association can even restrict what type of vehicle is parked outside.

Such control may sound a little more OCD than OC, but remember when your parents told you there was a reason for rules? They’re right again. The result here is a well-kept, balanced neighborhood with efficient services and exceptional schooling at every level, including universities.

When day-to-day Irvine becomes too orderly, head over to the Spectrum Center for some disorderly fun. Here you’ll find comedy clubs, sushi restaurants, sports bars, tons of retail and good people watching!

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Known for:

Master-planned community

Main drag:

Irvine Center Drive

Irvine blogs and events

Opah in OC

No plate smashing here…we’re talking moonfish.

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Apartments in Irvine