It is not just a fruit, it is a secondary color. Orange is a California community that has so much to offer visitors and residents alike.
Incorporated in 1871, the town still touts a family-friendly atmosphere 142 years later. With excellent education and recreation all around the region, children and young adults enjoy growing up in Orange.
Adults adore the area as well, making a good living in the locale that has a low unemployment rate in so many industries from healthcare to technology.
If you have ever considered moving to the California community, ponder all the province has to offer you and your family after reading this informative and juicy Orange guide.
Orange Climate
Spring, summer and fall average a high of 74 to 84 degrees and a low of 52 to 64 degrees almost three quarters of the year from April to November. Winter, December, January, February and some of March, dips down with temperatures averaging around 46 degrees. The May Gray and June Gloom create an overcast in the community for a couple of months with fog hovering in the a.m. and sun peeking out by the p.m.
With only about 15-inches of rain a year, falling in the winter and spring, locals look forward to dry sunny summers rather than wet cloudy seasons. Of course no snow falls in the region, so locals never have to worry about a whiteout keeping them stuck inside.
Orange Neighborhoods
With so many financially diverse neighborhoods in the vicinity, Orange has a mix of middle-class to rich residents residing in the region. Orange Park Acres, approximately 5,500, is made up of upper-middle class and wealthy residents living among one another in the 1.4 mile sector, with Santiago Canyon Road to the north and Chapman Avenue to the south. The affluent area has several designer stores and equestrian trails, making the locale a great place to shop or ride.
Old Town, Orange Historic District is also a great place to shop, with pulsating commercial properties among some rare residential homes in the square-mile zone. Some structural designs found in the city are the Hip Roof Cottage, Spanish Colonial Revival and Prairie Style architecture. Other lovely neighborhoods in the locale include Olive and Santiago Hills.
Registering Your Car
You have 10 days to obtain a California driver's license. To legally drive in the state, you must fill out an application, have your photo taken, provide a thumb print and take a vision, traffic laws and signs test. Along with providing your name, residence and Social Security number, you must pay a $39 fee to get your license.
Registering your vehicle and getting California license plates can also be done by filling out the necessary paperwork and proving your vehicle is insured. Vehicle registration fees begin at $46 dollars in California and an additional fee for license plates is required. You must register your vehicle within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties, according to state laws.
Orange Schools
The Orange Unified School District serves approximately 30,000 in 27 elementary, 6 middle and 5 high schools. The California State Board of Education has awarded dozens of schools in the district the Distinguished School Award since 1987, with the most recent accolades going to Villa Park High in 2013. The province has plenty of private schools that offer specialized and religious training including Eldorado Emerson Private School that trains children from kindergarten through senior year.
As for post-secondary schools, Santiago Canyon College is popular two-year campus offering an array of associate's degrees to students. Chapman University, a private four-year college, offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and professional programs. Directly outside of town, students can attend two large public campuses at either Cal State Fullerton College, 19 miles away, and Long Beach State College, 26 miles away.
Orange Employment
The 6.3 percent unemployment rate proves the province is thriving during the recession, coming in at 1.6 percent lower than the national average of 7.9 percent. The University of California Irvine Medical Center is the apex employer in the area, with 4,000 staff members. Healthcare is a hot industry to be involved in with St. Joseph Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County, the second and third largest employers, staffing more than 6,000 workers collectively.
Other top employers in the area are the Orange County Transportation Authority, National Oilwell Varco, Sybron Dental Specialties and Aecom. Most business owners partner with the Orange Chamber of Commerce, working together with the financial organization to bring locals bountiful places to shop and dine. If you are considering moving to Orange, call some of the several staffing agencies, search out the local classifieds, or personally drop your resume off to any one of the noted employers.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Orange is considerably high, coming in at 24.2 percent greater than the state average and 62.9 percent greater than the national average. The average yearly pay is approximately $53,000 and data shows that a family of three, two parents and one child, costs $52,146 dollars to live annually. Between monthly housing at $1,595, food at $514, taxes at $530, healthcare at $243, childcare at $557, transportation at $401 and necessities at $507, it takes either two moderate salaries or one high salary for a family of three to live comfortably.
The median home price in Orange ranges around $450,000 with property a bit pricey if you are not able to place at least 20 to 30 percent down. Apartment rentals in the area begin at around $1,000 for one-bedroom but are priced as high as $1,600 for a unit that offers more luxurious living. A two-bedroom apartment begins at around $1,200 and is higher depending on its lavishness.
Orange Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Orange, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Orange Transportation
Situated near the Santa Ana Freeway, Interstate 5, motorists easily get around town. Two other popular roadways are the Orange Freeway, State Route 57, and Garden Grove Freeway, State Route 22. The extremely busy interchange between the two state routes at the southwestern edge of the city is called "Orange Crush," symbolizing the constant traffic congestion.
For locals who choose to use public transportation, the Metrolink is a popular light rail providing service throughout Orange City and Orange County. If residents would rather ride a bus, they travel with the Orange County Transportation Authority that also promotes car pooling and biking. And if you need to fly into or out of town, the John Wayne Airport is the local landing strip used by most.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Miles and miles of Mother Nature keep locals amused as they frolic and have fun in Irvine Park. The 477-acre park houses the Orange County Zoo and has miles of hiking, equestrian and mountain biking trails. When locals feel like getting a little wet, they visit Irvine Lake, a 700-acre mere with rocky cliffs, deep creek channels and shallow coves.
When residents would rather spend some green other than enjoy the green, they frequent the Outlets at Orange, a popular shopping center that features specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue among other popular retail spots. Antique shopping is also popular among residents in Orange, where many age-old items can be found in several stores. Excellent eateries are located all over so when hunger strikes, locals can choose from a collection of cuisine located on all corners of the community.
But one of the best times can be had every Labor Day at the Orange International Street Fair that has been taking place for more than a 100 years. The local event is not just fun, but has a great sense of purpose since it funds many non-profits in the community that serve area citizens in need.
Orange Relocation Tips
- Make a moving budget so you do not over extend your finances when relocating. If you set aside a certain amount for particular expenses and leave a little extra in case of an emergency, chances are you will arrive safely to your new home with some money to spare.
- Speaking of money, tipping the movers is a great way to say thank you for a job well done. Often, the crew has been traveling for days loading and unloading tons of weight in sometimes inclement weather.
- Host an unpacking party! It is a great way to get to know your neighbors, who would love to come over and meet you. Not only will you have fun, sharing food and drinks, you will get a tedious chore taken care of at the same time.