Irvine is one of the fastest growing luxury markets in Orange County but also offers reasonably prices homes for sale. It is a great city to settle in for families thanks to top rated schools in the Irvine Unified School District, master planned communities with luxury amenities and parks and the city’s distinction as the safest large city in America for the past 9 years.
What is unique about Irvine is the fact that so many communities in town have a nice mix of affordable and luxury housing. Several of the neighborhood communities on our list have the most affordable condos for sale in Irvine, CA yet also include homes priced at $1Million dollars and above. These mixed communities afford homeowners the opportunity to get into some of the most coveted neighborhoods in the city and move their way up from condo or townhome to large single family residence.
1. Orangetree
Orangetree is the most affordable community in Irvine located in zip code 92618. One bedroom condos start at $280,000 and range to detached single family homes in the $500,000's. Orangetree is a great place to start your homeowner journey in Irvine because it’s affordable yet offers all of the great amenities of the city like top rated schools, clean city life and convenient shopping and amenities.
The neighborhood community of Orangetree is adjacent to Irvine Valley College and is popular place for students to rent. Orangetree is within walking distance of Oak Creek Golf Course and nearby Irvine Village Shopping Center.
2. Woodbridge
Woodbridge is a well established community built over 30 years ago in Irvine located within zip code 92604. It is one of the most popular large Villages of Irvine with homes priced from the high $200,000’s to over $1Million. Homes for sale in Woodbrigde include condos, townhomes and single family homes. Woodbridge Irvine is located off of the 5 Freeway bordered by Culver Drive, Jeffrey Road, and Irvine Center Drive.
What makes Woodbridge affordable and a desirable place to live is the huge range of homes and affordability. Home owners often buy into the community with a condo or townhome and move up to larger family homes as time goes on. Woodbridge Irvine is well known for its two picturesque manmade lakes, over 30 parks and approximately 20 private pools including adult only areas.
University Town Center is located across from the UC Irvine Campus, zip code 92612. Homes for sale in University Town Center range in price from the mid $300,000’s to the mid $800,000’s. This community is more affordable than others because it is made up entirely of condominiums, townhomes and senior living facilities.
University Town Center real estate is popular with students and the older demographic. There are several shopping centers within walking distance in the community including Campus Plaza Shopping Center and University Center. University Center is the main shopping area for the community and includes a movie theater, Trader Joe’s market, several restaurants, businesses and hosts a Farmer’s Market every Saturday in the parking lot.
Columbus Grove straddles the city lines of Irvine and Tustin and features homes priced in the mid $300,000’s up to the high $900,000’s. Homes for sale in Columbus Grove are primarily detached single family homes with several attached town homes as well. The community is still expanding with plans to include a total of 465 properties.
Columbus Grove is one of the Villages of Columbus within an area known as Tustin Legacy. The area spans nearly 1,600 acres of land on the former Marine Corps Air Station. The western edge of the community backs up into Jamboree Road and the Tustin District shopping center. Although the area borders on Tustin, the community is served by the highly rated Irvine Unified School District which is a valuable benefit for families with children.
El Camino Real was one of the first communities to be developed in Irvine back in the mid 1960’s and is located in zip code 92604. The community is located just off the 5 Freeway to the west and is bordered by Culver Drive, Jeffery Road and Irvine Center Drive. Irvine homes for sale in El Camino Real are primarily single family homes which separates it from many of the other affordable communities in Irvine whose less expensive real estate is limited to condos and townhomes. Home prices range from the mid $300,000's to high $900,000's.
There are several shopping centers, big and small, in the area including Heritage Plaza, Culver Plaza Shopping Center, The Arbor Village Center and Orangetree Square Shopping Center. El Camino Real is popular among young families because of the various parks in the area and top rated school in the Irvine Unified School District.
6. Oak Creek
Oak Creek is located south of the 405 Freeway in Irvine, zip code 92618. Irvine homes for sale in Oak Creek range from 1 bedroom condos priced in the high $300,000’s up to large single family homes priced over $1Milllion. Oak Creek is across Barranca Parkway from Orangetree and also borders on the community of Woodbridge.
Oak Creek has a great location within Irvine because it has quick and easy freeway access, it is just down the road from Irvine’s Great Park, there are several small shopping centers nearby and it’s just short drive down the freeway from Irvine Spectrum which is the premier shopping and entertainment center in the city.
7. Woodbury
Woodbury spans from Irvine Boulevard to Trabuco Road between Jeffrey Road and Sand Canyon Avenue in zip code 92620. Irvine real estate in Woodbury is newly build and includes some brand new construction homes. Prices range from the low $400,000’s to over $1Million. The community offers a wide range of living options including attached homes, townhomes, condos and detached single family homes.
The community includes Woodbury Elementary School located at the center plus the Woodbury Community Park which spans 30 acres. Also at the heart of the community in the Commons is a recreational center, several sport courts, a water garden and open lawn.
8. Quail Hill
Quail Hill is located off of the 405 Freeway at Sand Canyon Avenue, zip code 92603. The Village of Quail Hill includes courtyard condos, townhomes and single family homes ranging in price from the mid $400,000’s to $1Million.
Quail Hill is a new community neighborhood inspired by Tuscan and Mediterranean architecture. Irvine Homes for sale in Quail Hill are unique in that the community is surrounded by the Laguna Coastal Wilderness Park with a link to Boomer Canyon. There are 13 different neighborhoods and 4 private parks with luxury amenities spaced throughout.
Rancho San Joaquin is the most affordable community in Irvine to buy a single family home. Home prices range from the mid $500,000’s to the $600,000’s for townhomes and single family homes. Rancho San Joaquin Irvine is lies within zip code 92612 and is located south of the 405 bordered by Culver Drive, University Drive and Harvard Drive.
Irvine homes for sale in Rancho San Joaquin are broken up into two neighborhoods: Rancho San Joaquin Townhomes and Rancho San Joaquin Villas. This Village of Irvine is located right next to the Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course and most homes feature scenic views of the course. Rancho San Joaquin is also within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and entertainment including Boomers Family Entertainment Center and Irvine Lanes Bowling Alley.
10. The Airport Area
The Airport Area and Irvine Business District of Irvine is one of the most affordable communities to buy in Irvine, however the area is made up almost entirely of luxury condominiums. Condos for sale in Irvine’s Airport Area are priced in mid $300,000 to over $1Million.
The Airport Area of Irvine is popular among young professionals and those looking for urban luxury. The community is made up of several high rise condo buildings and surrounded by convenient shopping centers within walking distance like Park Place shopping center. We tacked it onto the bottom of our list because while it is affordable, it is not as varied and diverse in housing options like the other communities on our list.
If you're interested in buying Irvine real estate, contact the experts at our First Team Real Estate Irvine Office. They are your best resource to help you stick to your budget and find the perfect community in town for you and your family. Call or email us now and we'll connect you with a top agent in the area.
Email us at clientservices [at] firstteam.com
Call us at 888-870-1142
Originally posted at: http://www.firstteam.com/blog/?p=7710
