Living in Irvine might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Southern California. However, get to know the Orange County area and you’ll discover it’s a front-runner in locals’ minds. Driving a few miles will get you to the flashy coastal town of Newport Beach, and a cruise around the UC Irvine campus will have you reliving your college days. Let us introduce you to the perks of living in Irvine.

Cost of living in Irvine, CA

Explore some facts and figures about the average cost of living to keep in mind before moving to Irvine.

• Rent: The average cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the area is around $2,805 and $3,574 for a two-bedroom apartment.
• Transportation: Monthly transit passes will cost approximately $69 on average. 
• Food costs: Residents in the Greater Los Angeles area spend 12.5% of their household budget on food, similar to the national average. Of this food budget, residents spend 56.9% on meals at home, and 43.1% on dining out.
• Taxes: Sales tax in Irvine is 7.75%.

Utilities in Irvine

• Utilities: the average cost of utilities for a 915-square-foot apartment is around $140.
  • Southern California Gas Company: Gas
  • Southern California Edison (SCE): Electricity
  • Waste Management: Garbage and recycling
  • Irvine Ranch Water District: Water and sewage
• Internet: Internet services range from $45-$100. Below are the largest providers in the Irvine area.
  • Charter
  • Frontier
  • AT&T

Average weather in Irvine

Living in Irvine, CA, means you’ll enjoy mild weather all year. Year-round highs in the 70s, lows barely dipping below the 50s, and less than 15 inches of rainfall per year make this place easy to love. July through August see the highest average temperatures in the 80s, so you’ll have plenty of time to hit the beach. Hot, dry winds occasionally cause wildfires, so always be prepared to evacuate if told to do so.

Irvine neighborhoods

Irvine is a master-planned community built and designed by the Irvine Company. You’ll find that most neighborhoods are called villages, and each has ample amenities and things to do. Below are a few villages where locals live.

• University Town Center: This neighborhood is the heart and soul of UC Irvine’s off-campus living. You’ll find University Center, an outdoor shopping mall with ample dining options, along with college students. Behind the shopping center is a large open space with grassy hills, duck ponds, playgrounds, and more. Best of all, the campus is just across the street.
• Stonegate: A quaint community full of parks and green space, Stonegate is conveniently located just north of Woodbury Town Center. The center boasts restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and a gym, so you won’t have to go far to find what you need.
• Irvine Spectrum: If you’re looking for some nightly entertainment, Irvine Spectrum might be your neighborhood. Its crown jewel is the Irvine Spectrum Center, home to the Irvine Improv Comedy Club, bars, restaurants, and a movie theater.
• Quail Hill: Nestled in the southern part of Irvine, Quail Hill offers residents parks, beautiful homes, and Quail Hill Trailhead. Along this loop trail in Quail Hill Preserve, you’ll find locals walking their dogs, biking, or simply taking an evening stroll.

Things not to miss when living in Irvine

The first place you’ll want to visit once you get a free weekend is Orange County Great Park. Irvine owns and operates Great Park, a 1,300-acre arts and recreation hub for Greater Orange County. Spend an afternoon exploring Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park; it has incredible rock formations, an abundance of wildlife, and 23 trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. 

Crystal Cove State Park is just a short drive from Irvine and features 3.2 miles of sandy shoreline, coves, tide pools, and 2,400 acres for hikers and bikers. With all these outdoor activities to choose from, it’s no surprise Irvine has consistently been voted one of the top 10 cities with the best park system in the United States. Get out there and explore!

Transportation in Irvine

The MetroLink, a train system throughout Southern California, connects Irvine to several Orange and Los Angeles County cities. The iShuttle is a bus system that operates in Irvine. For the most efficient trips, though, you’ll want a car, as this master-planned community is car-dependent. Irvine is between Interstate 5 and 405, so having a car will come in handy when traveling around.

How to get to Irvine

From out of state, catch a flight to John Wayne Airport. Conveniently located a few miles from Irvine’s city center, the airport is one of the lesser-traveled ones in the LA area, which means you won’t have to fight through crowds of tourists when flying in and out of your new city. Calling a Lyft or other ride-sharing service is your best option to get home from the airport.

Relocating to Irvine from San Diego

If you’re coming from San Diego, you won’t have to adjust too much. Hop in your car and make the road trip to Irvine in under two hours. Just like San Diego, Irvine provides easy access to sand and sun, so your new city shouldn’t be too much of a change.

Relocating to Irvine from Houston

Hop on a flight at George Bush International Airport and get to Irvine in just over three hours. You could also make the trek by car; a road trip will take about 22 hours. Houston is a much busier city than Irvine, making it a great move if you want to slow things down.

Relocating to Irvine from Phoenix

Catch a flight from the capital of the Grand Canyon State and get to Irvine in a short, one-hour trip. You can also drive; take Interstate 10 all the way west, and you’ll get to your new home in just over five hours. You can expect less traffic and crowds while living in Irvine.

Tips for moving to Irvine

• Do: Play tourist for a day and go whale-watching. You can witness the Blue Whale migration from May through October.
• Don’t: Underestimate Irvine’s safety. It’s consistently voted one of the safest cities in the US and works hard to keep its title.
• Do: Explore Balboa Island. This quaint, walk-friendly island on Newport Beach has shops, restaurants, and ocean views; you might even recognize its chocolate-covered banana shop from the hit show “Arrested Development.”
• Don’t: Miss your favorite artist performing at Irvine’s Five Point Amphitheatre. This massive outdoor venue draws some of the biggest names in music to Irvine.

Irvine offers residents a convenient, active, and safe place to call home in the heart of Southern California’s coveted Orange County. There’s so much to do in the area; move here to explore it all. Think you’re ready for this city? Check out Irvine apartments for rent and find the perfect one for your new SoCal lifestyle.

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