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Hudson Jimenez housing

Rent vs buy in Orange — what makes sense?

I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Average temperature is around 63°F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $900,700 on average. Crime rate is something to consider — Orange sits at 128.7 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Is this normal for Orange? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
59 upvotes

2 Replies

wild_violet50
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Sarah G.
exactly what I was thinking
2 upvotes
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