San Clemente
 

Anyone live there or familiar with the area? Thinking of it as an option to relocate, wondering how the commute to LAX could be. Relocating from the east coast and it was recommended by some friends and family.

Graduated from San Clemente High School. What a place to live. A tad expensive now. Going south it's the final city of LA/Orange County metropolis. South of San Clemente is Camp Pendleton that cannot be built on of course. Was just out there last week. Nearly 90° and surfers and sunbathers were out in large numbers.

LAX pilots can give the lowdown, but I drove to/from LAX more times than I can count visiting my parents and brother. The Google time is one thing, but south of where 405 and 5 intersect near Disneyland it's just the 5 and if someone screws it up it can be jammed up for a long time.

I sell real estate in South Orange County, send me a PM if I can be of any assistance. San Clemente is a very nice place. Traffic on the 5 Fwy bottle necks there but they are working on major improvements now. It is around 70 miles to LAX.

If cost is a prohibitive factor there are other options. Temecula is a good place to get more for your money and top schools if that is important for you. Granted it's not by the ocean, but a nice place to raise a family.

I just packed the family up and moved to Anaheim hills from Atl, we are renting for a year while we look at the areas where we want to look for a home. I like Costa Mesa and Dana point but also an really liking Anaheim hills a lot, great school district and not to far from the beach. Pm if you have any questions. I am on the 320 and am able to hold Sna trips for now.

The 5 to the 405 is the least of your problems. The 405 is THE problem! I live in the area and love it. I am WB reserve, so I rarely make the drive, but if I had to drive to LAX all the time it would get real old real quick. House prices are ridiculous, we are renting hoping they pull back a little. If you are a water person, I'd say go for it-if not, I don't know if it'd be worth it.

Thanks that's all good feedback. I like the idea of renting for a year and figuring things out. I know San Clemente is expensive but heck, it's as cheap as it gets in Orange County! I like Irvine but we can maybe afford a 2br condo there but we'd like a 3br house.

Corona is another area we are researching but I hear traffic is a bear.

Great place to live although currently the 5 is a disaster through there due to construction. While guys on here are recommending Corona or Temecula, they're not nearly as nice as San Clemente. Much cooler during the summer and as stated above, awesome for its beachside local. SNA check-ins on the 737 and School Bus make it way more palatable.