OC Relocation Guide / North OC
North Orange County Relocation Guide
Established neighborhoods, more space for the money, and easy access to LA.
Welcome to North OC
North OC has some of the county's most established neighborhoods, larger lots for the money, and the easiest commute to Los Angeles. You'll find college-town energy in Fullerton, small-town feel in Brea, and a quiet beach town in Seal Beach.
Great fit for
- Commuters heading toward LA or Long Beach
- Buyers who want more home and land for the money
- Families looking for well-regarded schools at a better value
- Fans of classic, established neighborhoods
Covers: Fullerton, Brea, Placentia, La Habra, Buena Park, Anaheim, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach
Cities & Neighborhoods
With a local's tip for each one.
Fullerton
Home to Cal State Fullerton, the Fullerton Arboretum, and a lively downtown with a historic train station. Neighborhoods range from historic homes to hillside properties with views.
Local tip: The hillside neighborhoods north of downtown are some of the most sought-after in North OC.
Brea
A clean, small-town feel with a walkable downtown, the Brea Mall, and a well-regarded school district. Hillside neighborhoods offer views and larger lots.
Local tip: Brea is a favorite for families who want a tight-knit community feel.
Placentia & La Habra
Friendly, value-oriented suburbs with parks, good schools, and easy access to the 57 freeway. Placentia is in the Placentia-Yorba Linda school district.
Local tip: These cities can offer more space and value while staying close to Fullerton and Brea.
Anaheim
Home of Disneyland, Angel Stadium, and the Honda Center, with neighborhoods ranging from historic districts to newer developments. It's a big, diverse city with a lot of variety in housing.
Local tip: Anaheim is huge, so the right neighborhood matters more here than the city name.
Buena Park & Cypress
Central, convenient suburbs with parks and easy freeway access. Buena Park is home to Knott's Berry Farm; Cypress is known for quiet neighborhoods and strong schools.
Local tip: Great options for buyers who need easy access to both OC and LA County.
Los Alamitos & Seal Beach
Los Alamitos is known for its highly regarded school district. Seal Beach is a quiet beach town with a pier and Main Street, plus Leisure World, one of the area's best-known 55+ communities.
Local tip: Seal Beach is one of the most affordable ways to live in an OC beach town.
Schools
North OC includes Fullerton and Brea Olinda districts, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified, Anaheim and Cypress districts that feed into Anaheim Union High School District, Buena Park and La Habra districts, and Los Alamitos Unified (which also serves Seal Beach).
Boundaries don't always follow city lines, so always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district before you buy.
Getting Around
- The 91, 57, 5, and 22 freeways connect North OC to LA, the Inland Empire, and the rest of the county.
- Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport are both convenient. Ontario Airport is an option from the northeast side.
- Fullerton, Anaheim (ARTIC), and Buena Park have Metrolink and/or Amtrak service.
Good to Know
- Most of North OC is served by SCE for electricity.
- Older neighborhoods have fewer HOAs and Mello-Roos taxes, but may need more updating.
- Hillside homes near open space can be in higher wildfire-risk zones, which affects insurance.
Local Favorites
- Downtown Fullerton's restaurants and train station
- The Fullerton Arboretum
- Downtown Brea on a Friday night
- Main Street and the pier in Seal Beach
- A day at Knott's Berry Farm
- Game night at the Honda Center
Want Today's Numbers for North OC?
Prices and inventory change week to week. Tell me what you're looking for, and I'll send you a custom report on the North OC neighborhoods that fit, with current prices.
Jacob Hazzard, REALTOR® | CA DRE# 02222037 | Luxre Realty