Living in Lake Forest, CA offers a suburban lifestyle with a focus on family-friendly amenities and natural beauty. Located in the heart of Orange County, Lake Forest is known for its picturesque parks, tree-lined streets, and welcoming community. The city’s namesake, Lake Forest, is surrounded by two man-made lakes that provide a serene backdrop for outdoor activities and community events.
Lake Forest’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from casual eateries to upscale restaurants. The city’s Farmers Market is a popular destination for fresh produce, local goods, and artisanal foods. The nearby Irvine Spectrum Center offers additional shopping and dining options, making it a favorite spot for residents and visitors alike.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Lake Forest provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and Serrano Creek Park, offer scenic trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest is a popular spot for skateboarding enthusiasts, while the city’s sports complexes provide facilities for a variety of recreational activities.
Lake Forest is also known for its strong sense of community and family-friendly environment. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the annual Lake Forest Fourth of July Parade and the Summer Concert Series, which bring residents together for fun and fellowship. The local schools are highly regarded, making Lake Forest an attractive place for families.
For those considering a move to Orange County, Lake Forest offers a perfect blend of suburban comfort, natural beauty, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, cultural events, or peaceful surroundings, living in Lake Forest, CA provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Lake Forest is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 84,666 people. In Lake Forest, there are 5,066 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Lake Forest, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lake Forest, California could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lake Forest, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, employment, housing and more.
With a livability score of 65/100, Lake Forest is ranked #11,278 in the United States and #408 in California. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Lake Forest ranks well for crime (A+) and employment (A+) There are some categories that Lake Forest scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Lake Forest, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 122 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Lake Forest is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Lake Forest come in at $682,700, which is 66.8% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lake Forest, the home price to income ratio is 6, which is 6.3% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Lake Forest | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.2% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.7% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.7% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 10.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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