Aliso Viejo

About Aliso Viejo

Aliso Viejo is a charming Southern California city that sits less than five miles from Mission Viejo and about 50 miles outside of Los Angeles. It's an ideal place to live for professionals and retirees who want to enjoy the warm Southern California weather, gorgeous surroundings and easy access to larger cities such as Mission Viejo and Irvine. It's also a popular home for young families who are attracted by its convenient amenities and family-friendly activities.

The History of Aliso Viego

Aliso Viejo has a fairly short history as a city, having just been incorporated in 2001. Originally, the area was part of a 22,000-acre ranch owned by the Moulton family. In the 1970s, a company bought part of the ranch's land and built a community that was part of Mission Viejo until Aliso Viejo became a city.

The community is unique in a few different ways: It was the first in the state with a community association responsible for parks and recreation, and it was also the first whose developers specifically incorporated features that encouraged a live-work-play lifestyle.

Living in Aliso Viejo

As a resident of Aliso Viejo, you'll find a wide range of options for both work and play, due largely to the city's unique design. Pacific Park, Aliso Viejo's town center and major business park, is positioned in a central location, with no home more than 1.5 miles away. You can easily walk between your home, your place of work and a number of entertainment and shopping options. This is a major benefit of living in Aliso Viejo, which has preserved a small-town atmosphere despite its rapid growth.

The Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is a major natural attraction near Aliso Viejo, spanning thousands of acres and featuring scenic views and extensive walking trails. Other local highlights include the Aliso Viejo Golf Course, Soka Performing Arts Center and Aliso Viejo Town Center.

Aliso Viejo Schools

The Capistrano Unified School District is a large Orange County school district that manages the schools of Aliso Viejo. There are also several private schools in Aliso Viejo, such as VanDamme Academy and St. Mary's and All Angels School.

If you're planning to pursue a college degree after you move, you'll find a conveniently-located campus within city limits: Soka University of America.

Resources for Moving to Aliso Viejo

If you're planning to move to Aliso Viejo, the following information will be very useful:

• Utilities: Major utilities providers in the area include San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, the Gas Company, the El Toro Water District and Moulton Niguel Water District.
• Garbage and Recycling: If you're living in a single-family home in Aliso Viejo, you'll receive three separate disposal cans (trash, recycling and yard waste).
• Transportation: Aliso Viejo is part of the service area of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Aliso Viejo Housing

The median home price in Aliso Viejo is well above the national average but not unheard of for Southern California. However, the local housing market offers a wide range of options, so you can find something that's a good fit for both your budget and your needs. There are many different housing styles, including apartments, townhouses and single-family homes of all sizes.