Expert: Steve Summers - 1/16/2005

Question
Dear Steve,

This is may sound unusual, but could you help with Orange County neighborhoods-- It's something to do with a screenplay I'm writing.
  I know Garden Grove is a nice middle-class area, but I'm looking for something older, a place where modest homes were built in the 50s.  I was thinking Santa Ana (if memory serves me).  Would that work?
  Also, could you help me wih what areas in Orange Couny a decent lawyer would live in?  Laguna Beach...?  I really don't know.  
  Thanks for your help,
Craig Tucker

Answer
Hi Craig,

That is an intriguing question. Normally I provide information for free, but this one's a bit outside the box, so it's going to cost you a couple of tickets to the premier of your movie. :-)

Yes, Santa Ana has a lot of homes that were built in the 50's. There are also a number of other places that have modest homes built in the 50's:
Anaheim, which grew from Orange Grove to suburbs in the 50's once Walt built Disneyland.
Brea, which grew from an oil-drilling area to a bedroom town. The daytime population of the town triples from 30,000 to 100,000, mainly due to the Brea Mall. I'm rather partial to Brea, since I move here 4 years ago.
Garden Grove, which incorporated in the 50's, has plenty of modest homes from the 50's.

A decent lawyer could live many places in Orange County:
Laguna Beach, a great little Beach town (has the Sawdust Festival and Pageant of the Masters every year)
Newport Beach, a rather ritzy town, home of Kobe Bryant and Dennis Rodman (who probably brings down property values with his wild parties).
Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills, a very nice part of OC, where there are nice large ranch homes (with room for horses).
Dana Point, which overlooks a marina and beach.
San Clemente- Richard Nixon knew where to go. It's a great old beach town.

Hope this helps,

Steve