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