With quality schools, jobs, and housing, Irvine, California took fourth place in CNNMoney.com’s best places to live in the United States. The city has been noted for its livability by Businessweek, which named it the fifth best city to live in in the US, and the FBI, which reported that it had the lowest violent crime rate among US cities with populations of more than 100,000.
Meanwhile, the US Census Bureau ranked Irvine having the seventh-highest median income among US cities with populations of more than 65,000. The suburban planned city, which has a population of nearly 224,000 was incorporated in 1971.
It is home to the University of California, Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine Valley College, University of Southern California Orange County Center, Brandman University, and satellite campuses of Pepperdine University, Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Irvine, Alliant International University, California State University Fullerton, and University of La Verne.
Irvine Homes for Sale |
History
In 1864, Jose Andres Sepulveda, who owned the Rancho San Joaquin in what would later become Irvine, sold 50,000 acres to Benjamin and Thomas Flint, Llewellyn Bixby, and James Irvine for $18,000 to settle debts. Two years later, Irvine, Flint, and Bixby purchased another rancho, this one 47,000 acres. The following year, the ranch was divided as a result of a lawsuit, and in 1878, James Irvine purchased his partners’ interests for $150,000.
When James Irvine died in 1886, his son James Irvine, Jr., inherited the ranch, later incorporating it into The Irvine Company. He converted the land from a sheep grazing operation to a farm growing olives, citrus, and field crops. The Santa Fe Railroad extended its line in 1888, naming a station after James Irvine. A town eventually developed around the station. In 1914, it was named Irvine.
In 1959, the University of California sought 1,000 acres for a new campus from the Irvine Company. The company sold the requested land for $1. Irvine Company planners drafted master plans for a city of 50,000 people to surround the new university. The new community was named Irvine, while the old town that grew up around the railroad station was remaned East Irvine.
Irvine was designed to include a number of townships referred to as villages. Each village features houses of a particular design style, as well as commercial centers, schools, and churches.
Economy
Irvine is home to a number of corporations, particularly those in the technology and semiconductor sectors. The city’s top employers include the University of California, Irvine, the Irvine Company real estate firm, Irvine Unified School District, Verizon Wireless Corporate, Broadcom, St. John Knits, Allergan, Edwards Lifesciences, Parker Hannifin and Capital Group Companies.
Events and Attractions
To celebrate diversity among Irvine and Orange County residents, the city hosts the Irvine Global Village Festival each October. The event features exhibits from local merchants, international cuisine, and entertainment from cultures throughout the world.
The city boasts a large number of community and neighborhood parks. It is also home to a variety of attractions and points of interest, including the Ayn Rand Institute, Islamic Center of Irvine, Tustin Market Place, and Wild Rivers waterpark.
Real Estate
In early January 2013, the average listing price for a home in Irvine was nearly $970,000, down 1.6 percent from the same time the previous year.
Latest Irvine Homes for Sale:
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1 - 5 of 258.
See more Real estate in the city of Irvine.
(all data current as of
5/25/2013)
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$1,030,000 : 40 Rising Sun, Irvine4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$800,000 : 6 Seadrift, Irvine2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$850,000 : 49 Freeland, Irvine4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$825,000 : 2 Encina, Irvine4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$789,900 : 104 Ranch Land, Irvine3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
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