Mission Viejo Real Estate

and Mission Viejo Information


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Mission Viejo Real Estate
Mission Viejo is on a mission to be the best city in the us. Quality education and luxurious real estate are among the top in the country. Homes in Mission Viejo are in spanish and modern styles.

Mission Viejo is a suburban culture in nature. Mission Viejo is primarily residential homes, though there is a number of businesses within its limits. The city was master planned and features a number of single-family homes, a few condominiums, a college, and a large regional mall. The education is provided by two school districts Saddleback Valley and also Capistrano Unified School Districts, seven high schools are in the city we have Mission Viejo, Tesoro, Trabuco Hills, Silverado, Capistrano Valley, Mira Monte, Pathfinder High Schools and a college Saddleback College, and a large number of middle and elementary schools.

Mission Viejo has many parks, there are about two in every square mile. There is also a private country club.

Mission Viejo was developed as part of the 52,000 acre Rancho Mission Viejo. The ownership if the land dates back to July 27, 1769, a Spaniard named Gaspar de Portola led an expedition from Mexico and claimed the land for Spain.

A few years later, was the first attempt to start the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The lack of water forced the friars to relocate the mission and the exact location of this old mission remains a mystery, the name Mission Viejo bears testimony to this structure's sojourn in San Juan Canyon that occurred more than two hundred years ago.

After Mexico declared its independence in 1821, a new flag was flown in California. The missions, which where established to further the spread of the Christian faith, became secularized, and their landholdings were granted as ranches to prominent wealthy citizens.

Years later an English trader by the name of John Forster, married the Mexican governor's sister and acquired the three ranches known as El Trabuco, Mission Viejo, and Los Potreros. When Forster died, his estate was bankrupt, and his sons were forced to sell the land.

In 1907, an Irish cattleman by the name of Richard O'Neill acquired Rancho El Trabuco and Rancho Mission Viejo. In 1963 there was a real estate study which indicated that urbanization was spreading south from the Los Angeles area, his grandchildren decided to sell the 10,000 acres. Donald Bren, Philip J. Reilly, and James Toepfer acquired the property and started the Mission Viejo Company.

A master plan for Mission Viejo was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 1965. A year later, Forster's dream of attracting settlers became a reality as families stood in line to pay $21,000 for their homes on his former cattle range. In April 1966, these residents moved into the new neighborhoods near the intersection of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive.

Lake Mission Viejo

Boating
The Mission Viejo Association maintains a fleet of boats for rent at the Playa del Norte marina.

Fishing
The lake is frequently stocked with a variety of fish.

Beaches
There are two member beaches and a number of private beaches for use by lakeside residents.
Playa del Norte features a sandy beach area, volleyball courts, a playground and snack bar. Playa del Este has a playground, snack bar, group picnic area, fishing area, basketball half court and horseshoe pits. Playa del Este is open daily during the Summer (Spring and Fall on weekends only).

Both beaches have a lifeguard on duty.

Population (year 2000): 93,102. Estimated population in July 2005: 94,982 (+2.0% change)
Males: 45,525 (48.9%), Females: 47,577 (51.1%)

Zip codes: 92691, 92692

Median resident age: 37.5 years
Median household income: $78,248 (year 2000)
Median house value: $293,300 (year 2000)

Races in Mission Viejo:

• White Non-Hispanic (76.0%)
• Hispanic (12.1%)
• Other race (3.8%)
• Two or more races (3.6%)
• Filipino (1.6%)
• Chinese (1.6%)
• Vietnamese (1.2%)
• Black (1.1%)
• Japanese (1.1%)
• American Indian (0.9%)
• Asian Indian (0.9%)

Elevation: 400 feet

Land area: 18.7 square miles