Orange

Strolling through the Orange Historic District, you’ll immediately see why it’s one of the best downtown areas in Orange County. The district is approximately one square mile and includes 1300+ historical buildings, including homes, churches, schools, the old Santa Fe Depot train station, industrial buildings, clubhouses and the Post Office. Small town charm is everywhere, from kids playing in their front yards to college students riding bikes to class and restaurant owners greeting their regular patrons.

The Orange Historic District is made up of two major parts, residential neighborhoods and the Old Towne Orange Plaza, known locally as The Circle. The Circle is the downtown area, so named for the traffic roundabout in the middle. The Circle has a variety of antique shops, unique boutiques, cafés and restaurants. There are several annual community events, including the Orange International Street Fair that showcases music, food, dance and gifts from around the world.

Residents of the district take great pride in their historical homes; there are over 50 different architecture styles and many are beautifully landscaped with quintessential “American Dream” white picket fences. The residential area is within walking distances to The Circle, Chapman University and Orange High School, making it a great community for people who love to walk or bike ride. The neighborhood is incredibly safe and neighbors often stop to chat as they take their evening walks.

Another great reason to live in Orange is the number of superior educational opportunities, from elementary to grad school. Orange Unified School District serves about 30,000 students in 37 elementary, middle and high schools. Many schools have various enrichment programs to enhance student's educational experience. El Modena High School has a computer program that gives students laptops to use both in the classroom and at home. And Canyon High School is an approved member of the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, which offers students the opportunity to earn college credits.

After high school, students have a variety of local opportunities to pursue higher education. Orange is home to Chapman University, a private liberal arts college with undergraduate, graduate and law programs. Santiago Canyon College is a community college located in Orange that offers great opportunities for transferring to universities, completing trade school certifications and taking community courses. There are a variety of different universities and colleges in the cities surrounding Orange as well, including California State University Fullerton, University of California Irvine, Concordia University, Vanguard University, Orange Coast College and Golden West College.

Orange’s central location draws hundreds of people to live there every year. It’s located in the middle of Orange County, about 30 minutes from Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Discovery Science Center, Bowers Museum and the Santa Ana Zoo. It’s also a short drive to all of Orange County’s major shopping areas: The Block in Orange, The Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza and the Brea Mall. For the outdoor enthusiast there are beaches, parks, equestrian, hiking and biking trails nearby.