We think that moving to Irvine, CA, is pretty much a no-brainer. Great weather! Beautiful people! Local food year-round! But just in case you need a little more of a nudge to pack your house and relocate to a new city, here’s the inside scoop on why people are flocking to Irvine.
Irvine is one of the safest cities in the country
In fact, the FBI has rated Irvine as the safest big city (population over 100,000) in the country for nine years running — and the FBI would know. In addition to incredibly low crime rates the city has installed smart roadways that reroute and modulate traffic patterns by shifting stoplight patterns. Fewer traffic jams = safer roadways and happier drivers, and that’s something everyone can get excited about.
The Irvine job market is strong
Most of the time University cities have a buffer against the economic rollercoaster, and Irvine is no different: UCI keeps people employed, and the students keep the city’s economy strong. With a 4.6% unemployment rate Irvine has stayed robust even as rates skyrocketed across California, and in a recent analysis by WalletHub, Irvine ranked 7th in the nation for job seekers to find a new career. So if you’re looking for a new job, relocating to Irvine might be your step forward.
The access to beautiful natural landscapes is unbeatable
Irvine has the best of both worlds: all the culture and buzz of a big city, with access to 300 acres of wetlands and 100 or so species of birds at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Irvine Regional Park is the oldest park in California and hosts the Orange County Zoo, and for those feeling like a more leisurely journey through the park, the railroad offers scenic tours. Irvine Ranch Historic Park is 50,000 acres, designated as a National Landmark, of historic sites and public lands for your exploring — so you’ll never get bored in the sunny California weather.
You can indulge in Irvine’s incredible food
With so many farms nearby, you might expect that Irvine would be full of fresh, local cuisine — and you’d be right. But since the city is quite culturally diverse, those fresh veggies and local meats are turned into delicacies from all over the world. Or? At Creamistry, you can watch your ice cream being made on the spot using liquid nitrogen, then add your choice of dozens of toppings. They bring a whole new meaning to “made to order”. If wine is more your style, visit The Bacchus Bar and Bistro for over 350 types of wine and foods to pair them with. To have a look at our list of Irvine’s best restaurants, check out this blog post.
Irvine is full of intelligent people
University of California, Irvine, is just one of eight universities in the city, and there are three sizeable libraries open to the public — so you can keep yourself educated by taking advantage of all these institutions have to offer. It also stands to reason that with so many universities, there are also a lot of professors and other highly educated minds walking the streets of Irvine, so whatever topic you fancy, you can likely find a friend for a lengthy discussion.
The Irvine climate is pretty much perfect
You’ll be cutting down your Christmas tree in sunny weather here — the weather in Irvine is suitable for farming year-round, and there’s a reason so many songs have been written about California sunshine. The nights in the winter rarely dip far below 45F, so when you are packing to move to Irvine, leave those parkas behind.
Decision made? If you’re hitting the road solo, have a look at our tips for moving cross-country and not going nuts in this blog post. When moving in Irvine, be sure to check out the most recommended movers in Irvine to help you with the heavy lifting!
