With its tree-lined communities, the incredible city of Mission Viejo, CA can be found about 48 miles to the southeast of Los Angeles. As one of the best places to live in California, it is located near other cities like Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, and Coto De Caza.
The area now known as Mission Viejo was bought by an Englishman named John Forster during the mid-1850s. He purchased the land and became a Mexican citizen, eventually being known as “Don Juan”.Â
The community was named after the nearby Rancho Mission Viejo and represents an affluent and classy community filled with many exciting amenities. Newcomers moving to Mission Viejo will want for nothing as the area provides access to all the fun activities and great places to eat you could possibly want.
Mission Viejo has been home to many well-known and notable people such as Allen Craig of the Boston Red Sox, Olympic diver Greg Louganis, and actor David Henrie.
Table of Contents
1. People of Mission Viejo, CA – Population & Demographics
The city of Mission Viejo has grown by about 3,000 people since the turn of the century in the year 2000. Currently, the population in Mission Viejo is 94,375 with a median age of 45 years old. It is a wealthy and upscale community with a median household income of $119,798.
Taking a look at Mission Viejo demographics, the area consists of about 67% Caucasian, 16% Hispanic or Latino, 10% Asian, and 2% Black or African American. Breaking down the gender population, it is made up of about 51% female and 49% male.
2. Things to Do in Mission Viejo
So many wonderful attractions can be found throughout the Mission Viejo area. One of the best activities is to hike along the popular Oso Creek Trail, which spans about 5.5 miles along a creek. Go for a jog or a walk and enjoy the scenery as you spot local artwork, native plants, and various wildlife along the paths.
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Oso Creek Trail, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692Â (949) 470-3061
Another one of the best things to do in Mission Viejo is to visit the local Pavion Park. This fun space is a family-friendly area for both kids and adults to enjoy a beautiful day outside. The park features an interactive playground as well as open space to exert any pent up energy you’re looking to get out.
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Pavion Park, 24051 Pavion, Mission Viejo, CA 92692Â (949) 470-3061
Additional Mission Viejo Attractions
- Lake Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
- Florence Joyner Olympiad Park, 22760 Olympiad Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
- Bellante Family Winery, 23854 VĂa Fabricante D-2, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
3. Mission Viejo Restaurants
Whenever someone is relocating to Mission Viejo, they always want to know where they can find the best places to grab a bite to eat in the community. Among the top restaurants in Mission Viejo is the laid back Antonucci’s Italian & Seafood Restaurant. Diners can enjoy an amazing menu of Caprese, salads, pasta, gnocchi, baked dishes, and seafood plates.
Antonucci’s Italian & Seafood Restaurant
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Antonucci’s Italian & Seafood Restaurant, 24190 Alicia Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92691Â (949) 472-4332
Pub Thirty Two is another one of the best places to eat in Mission Viejo. It offers visitors a rustic-chic feel as they enjoy delicious meals and refreshing drinks along with live music. Some of the top items to choose from are their salads and starters, sandwiches, pasta, juicy burgers, and succulent steaks.
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Pub Thirty Two, 23962 Alicia Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92691Â (949)716-0687
4. Cost of Living in Mission Viejo, CA
While it isn’t the most expensive place to live in the state, Mission Viejo is still a pretty expensive city. The cost of living in Mission Viejo is about 21% higher than the California average and about 71% higher than the United States average. Expenses like housing and healthcare are higher than state averages, while groceries, transportation, and local utilities are lower.
About three-quarters of people residing in Mission Viejo are homeowners, with a rate of about 77% total. Mission Viejo, CA homes for sale range from small single-family properties up to large lots with extravagant houses. The average price of a home in Mission Viejo is about $780,000 with a median sale price of $407 per square foot.
On the other hand, anyone moving to Mission Viejo with the intention of leasing will be joining the other 23% living in the area. The average price of rent in Mission Viejo is $2,144 per month. If you’re looking for a one-bedroom place, expect to pay about $1,911 per month or plan on about $2,353 per month for a two-bedroom.
5. Mission Viejo Neighborhoods
Known for being the largest master-planned area developed as one lone project within the entire country, Mission Viejo spans a space of over 18 square miles. It is also one of the most secure communities in the entire state with Mission Viejo neighborhoods ranking as the 8th safest city in California. Mission Viejo is a safe place to live as local crime rates in the area are estimated to be about 61% less than the national average. The overall crime rate in Mission Viejo is only 11 per 1,000 residents.
As you decide where you want to live in the community, some of the best neighborhoods in Mission Viejo include:
- Ashton
- Anacapa
- Cordova Vista
- Galicia
- Mirasol
- Palmia
- Sierra Hills
- Vista Del Lago
Mission Viejo is located toward the south-central part of Orange County. The zip codes in Mission Viejo are 92630, 92653, 92675, 92677, 92679, 92688, 92691, 92692, and 92694. Newcomers relocating to Mission Viejo will get an area code of either 714 or 949 with their updated phone number.
Convenient shopping locations are easily accessible in Mission Viejo with some of the top spots including Ralphs, The Shops at Mission Viejo, Macy’s, Target, MissionViejo Market Place, and The Home Depot.
6. Mission Viejo Schools
The number of children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old living in Mission Viejo is 13,576, making them about 14% of the city’s overall population. The majority of these young people attend educational programs in either the Capistrano Unified School District or the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
Some of the top schools in Mission Viejo that parents can pick from are:
- Oxford Preparatory Academy
- De Portola Elementary School
- Carl Hankey Middle School
- Newhart Middle School
- Trabuco Hills High School
- Capistrano Valley High School
You won’t find any colleges in Mission Viejo but residents do have easy access to the Soka University of America, the Laguna College of Art and Design, and the reputable University of California-Irvine. All of these secondary schools are less than 15 miles away from Mission Viejo.
7. Jobs in Mission Viejo
The most recognizable careers in Mission Viejo are management roles, salespeople, office support staff, educators, doctors, and production professionals. Many of these individuals work within local industries such as technical services, healthcare, manufacturing, education, retail, finance, insurance, and construction.
The average salary in Mission Viejo is $77,000 per year.
The biggest employers providing locals with reliable Mission Viejo jobs are:
- Mission Viejo Chamber Of Commerce
- Kaiser PermanenteÂ
- Ensign GroupÂ
- Brian Powers Construction and solarÂ
A great deal of people living in Mission Viejo commute to nearby communities like Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange for work. Other residents will even travel from Mission Viejo to Los Angeles, a 48-mile trip that takes between 55 minutes to an hour one way.
8. Mission Viejo, CA Weather
The beautiful weather in Mission Viejo falls right in line with other gorgeous cities near the Pacific Coast. It is less than 11 miles from Laguna Beach, giving locals every opportunity to enjoy the sun and sand that comes with being a Californian.
Summer weather in Mission Viejo is warm and partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the low 60s at night to the mid-80s during the day. Winters are cool and breezy with temps between the mid-40s to the mid-60s. Mission Viejo gets approximately 14 inches of rain per year. The climate in Mission Viejo is defined as semi-arid/Mediterranean.Â
Living in Mission Viejo Pros & Cons
- Pro: Enjoy an abundant list of fun places to visit and top restaurants in Mission Viejo.
- Pro: The most spectacular weather you won’t find anywhere outside of California.
- Con: Prepare your wallet for a more expensive lifestyle due to the city’s higher cost of living.
Moving to Mission Viejo, CA
As one of the safest cities in the state, it’s no wonder why more people are relocating to Mission Viejo. If you’ve decided this is going to be your new home, the team of top-rated Mission Viejo movers here at SafeWay Moving would like to assist with the process! Give our team a call today at (949) 639-0330 or fill out the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!