Christina Shea

Ariel Feir

Irvine

Irvine is a planned community built on the Irvine Ranch, a former Spanish land grant. The history of the city is really the history of shrewd businessmen who planned for and used national trends to their advantage. Irvine is a young and growing city, often referred to the nation's pre-eminent planned community. Incorporated in 1971, it is expected to reach its full complement of homes, businesses and residents by 2020. The city has two large business centers, several universities, including the University of California, Irvine, and many parks andspace areas. But what attracts people to this city of about 142,000 are its schools, location and neighborhoods.

Irvine sits in the center of Orange County, with access to several major freeways and the Metro link commuter-rail system. The city's residential center is made up of distinct and separate villages, designed with neighborhood parks, small shopping plaza, and distinctive architecture and entryways. The villages have one or more neighborhood elementary school within walking distance or a short drive. The Irvine Unified School District is the pride of the community, producing students who rank among the highest in the county on standardized tests, in its number of National Merit Scholar semifinalists and in the number of winners at art and science fairs. Irvine is a planned community with a passion for order evident in its manicured landscape, clean streets, neighborhood identity and history of low crime rates. It has placed among the top 10 safest U.S. cities for a number of years. Irvine is considered the largest master-planned community in the country with a population of 142,445 people according to the 2000 census.

Irvine is known as "center of it all" in Orange County. Diverse neighborhoods, top-rated schools, business headquarters, and plenty of shopping and entertainment.

Real estate activity in Irvine is still amongst the top in Orange County. Irvine continues to be a popular place for families, because of its top-rated schools. Currently, there are homes on the market ranging from $259,000 for a 1-bedroom condo to nearly $7 million for estate properties in Shady Canyon. There's something for everyone in Irvine!