Why I would want to live in Orange, California?
One of the advantages of living in Orange is that you have your choice of the new or the old. There are many new homes in Orange with a planned community and there is “Old Towne Orange ”. The latter being full of Charm and nostalgia and located in the center of the city. The city is unique with its Old Towne and very close to Chapman University which has become one of the major Universities in the last several years. There are many restaurants in the area and the famous Watson Drug Store which offers a hamburger and milk shake in the style of 1937. The circle or center of town is right at Glassell and Chapman Avenues. Also very near is the city hall, city departments, police and library.
The City of Orange , with a population of 138,640 is situated in Central Orange County, approximately 32 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The City was incorporated in 1888. Two lawyers, Alfred Chapman and Andrew Glassell accepted 1,385 acres of land from the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana as legal fees in 1869 and laid out a one square mile town with farm lots surrounding a forty acre central town site. The center of town became known as the Plaza and there are many historic buildings still standing.
The City provides a full range of services for its citizens. These services include police, fire, paramedic, emergency transportation, library, recreation and parks, planning and development, street improvements and lighting, and general administration. The City also operates a water utility and provides for refuse collection and sanitation. In addition, the City provides aid to its citizens in the form of residential and commercial rehabilitation loans and economic development programs. The City contracts with a private non-profit agency to operate its senior citizen center.
The City of Orange has some excellent shopping areas which include, The Block, The Village at Orange , The Plaza and the Stadium Promenade. The Stadium Promenade features great movies and fine dining.
Town & Country is located across the street from Main Place Mall, at the corner of Town & Country and Main Street. It features a variety of shops and dining.
Also included in the city of Orange is Irvine Park which consists of 477 acres of fun to include a Zoo, nature center, Boy Scout Nature camp and center, hiking trails, mountain biking, equestrian trails, four ballfields, volleyball courts, and eight horseshoe pits.
ANNUAL EVENTS
There is an annual event in Old Towne called the “Street Fair” and it has grown and continued for many years. It adds to the charm of Old Towne.
The Orange International Street Fair is held by a not-for-profit organization each Labor Day weekend at the Plaza Square in Orange . A tradition since 1910, the event is a celebration of the diversity that has made Orange the community it is today. This annual event draws more than 400,000 visitors per year.
Other annual events are the Fireworks display at Fred Kelly Stadium on the 3rd or 4th of July and the Concerts in the Hart Park. There are also holiday programs of “Treats in the Streets, Thanksgiving gift basket program and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Free Homework Tutoring Program
The El Camino Real, Grijalva, and Killefer Park After-School Programs, in partnership with the Friendly Center, now offer free tutoring to participants! For additional information on the Friendly Center Program, call (714) 771-5300 or visit www.friendlycenter.org
The City of Orange After-School Recreation Programs at El Camino Real, Grijalva, and Killefer Parks offer fun activities, crafts, sports, games, special events, a nutritional program, homework assistance and site special events to children in kindergarten to eighth grade. Call the city for information regarding the After-School Recreation Programs.
Irvine Lake
A quiet, scenic fishing lake nestled at the base of the Cleveland National Forest, the 700-acre Irvine Lake is fed by Santiago Creek. The area boasts a variety of different features, including steep rocky cliffs, shallow coves, deep creek channels, submerged high spots, and overhanging trees. Irvine Lake provides an excellent fishing and family park environment, and a fishing license is not required. Irvine Lake features a fully-stocked bait and tackle shop, rental boats and private launch, and café.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park and Nature Center
This 350-acre wilderness park has five miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian paths, which access 10 miles of trails to the adjoining Anaheim Hills. The Nature Center features natural history exhibits.
Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
More than 150 species of birds have been sighted here, including scrub jays, California quail, and the sanctuary’s popular hummingbirds (which are seen in the greatest numbers during March and April). Rodents and reptiles are on view in the nature center.
William Harding Nature Center
Located inside Irvine Park, the William Harding Nature Center contains a self-guided trail and interpretive center with nature films and exhibits of fossils, plants, and mounted animals.
New Development of homes in Orange
There are many new developments in Orange built since 1980 which have excellent neighborhoods and parks and have maintained excellent Real Estate values. Some of the more successful developments are Mabury Ranch, Portofira, Parkridge, Serrano Heights, Hillcrest, Belmont, and Hillsdale.
Equestrian
The area over in East Orange know as Orange Park Acres is acre zoning and has many trails and is ideal for horses and animals. This is a unique community and one of the most successful developments in OPA has been Lazy Creek which has 3500 to 4500 square foot homes.