Mission Viejo Homes for Sale

One of the largest master planned communities in the United States – second only to Highlands Ranch, Colorado – Mission Viejo is a residential city in Orange County. Largely residential, the city of 93,500 was named the safest city in the United States in 2007, and the safest in California in 2009. Mission Viejo´s tree-lined streets earned it special recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Laguna Niguel Homes for Sale

History

Formerly sheep- and cattle-grazing land, Mission Viejo was among the last areas in Orange County to be developed in large part owing to its geologic complexity. In fact, in 1960, early developers referred to the area as ¨undevelopable.¨

Undeterred, urban planner Donald Bren drafted a master plan for the region wherein roads were located in the valleys and homes on the hills. That plan became reality, with much of the city of Mission Viejo completed by 1980, and many of the tract homes selling out prior to construction.

Most of the city´s houses and shopping centers were designed in the Spanish mission style with stucco walls and barrel-tile roofs.

Mission Viejo Today

In an effort to attract businesses, the City of Mission Viejo offers fast-tracked permit processing and imposes no business license fees. Local economic development officials tout the area´s talented workforce. Mission Viejo boasts three golf courses, a man-made lake, two parks per square mile, a major youth athletic facility, ballpark and soccer facility.

The Shops at Mission Viejo is an upscale shopping mall featuring Macy’s and Nordstrom as anchor stores. Mission Hospital, which is located in the city, is the largest hospital in south Orange County. It serves as the region´s trauma center and houses one of two Children´s Hospital of Orange County operations.

Education

Mission Viejo is served by the Capistrano Unified School District and Saddleback Valley Unified School Districts. The city is also home to Saddleback College, a large community college.

Real Estate

The median sale price for Mission Viejo homes in 2012 was $411,300.

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