Living in Irvine gives residents a sense of suburban urban mix and most residents rent their homes. Irvine has plenty of restaurants, cafes and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Irvine and residents tend to have moderate political views. Yes, the cost of living in Irvine is higher than in most cities in the United States.
On the other hand, the economy here is strong and, some would say, vibrant. One of the main reasons is that Irvine is home to several large employers within its city limit. There aren't many suburbs that can boast of this fact. For example, the University of California at Irvine employs nearly 16,000 people.
Blizzard Entertainment, the city's third largest employer, is also located here and Verizon Wireless. In short, there are many well-paying positions within the city limits. Travel times are also among the best in the country for this very reason. In Irvine, however, a car is more or less a necessity.
Yes, you can bike or walk, but you won't find many public transport options here. California MetroLink does not serve Irvine. You'll find many Southern California cities bursting with lush nightlife at night. There are several pubs and bars in the city, that's true.
But you wouldn't exactly call it “prosperous”, not by any stretch of the imagination. Of course, if nightlife isn't your thing, this isn't as big of a scam as it would be for others. In fact, for some, the lack of nightlife is one of the best reasons to live in Irvine, California. It keeps the city a little quieter and quieter.
Maybe in a few years a car won't be needed in Irvine because there will be more business and transit availability, as well as nightlife activities. In short, Irvine is a great place to move. That's if you can afford it. The weather is pleasant most of the time.
Schools are the best there is. Irvine is a lovely place to live: the economy is strong, the education system is great, and the climate is warm all year round. With the best public schools and tons of high-paying jobs that can meet anyone's career aspirations, Irvine is one of the best cities for young families in the United States. It also has plenty of great shopping spots, great restaurants, winding paths, huge trees, picnic areas, and jogging trails, so there's never a dull moment here.
The Irvine area is reputed to be diverse and progressive, with crime rates that are some of the lowest in Southern California.
