Considering moving to Irvine? As one of the best suburbs of Los Angeles, this planned community ranks as one of the top ten healthiest cities in America, and is a growing, family-friendly city with miles of walkable trails, shopping destinations, and beautiful scenery! These neighborhoods in Irvine were chosen by their overall cost of living, housing costs, safety ratings, and amenities for different types of people. Check out these five safe, affordable Irvine neighborhoods!
Is Irvine a Safe Place to Live in 2025?
Yes, Irvine is 90% safer compared to other California cities, and 70% safer than U.S. cities on average! Crime rates in Irvine are 28% lower than the national average, and the majority of crimes are not violent. In fact, Irvine is one of the 15 safest cities in America! Though the entire city is safe, below are the best neighborhoods in Irvine for both safety ratings and affordability.
Northwood
- Home Price: $798,725 median purchase price; $2,906 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 58% of Irvine neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
The neighborhood of Northwood is clean, safe, and full of friendly residents. Located a few minutes from Irvine Spectrum Center, Northwood offers residents an urban-suburban feel—with affordable Craftsman and Spanish Revival-style homes dotting the landscape. Highly-rated schools like Santiago Hills Elementary, Sierra Vista Middle School, and Northwood High School also offer excellent educational opportunities for local kids—plus, Northwood offers a large selection of fine arts schools, including the Southland Ballet Academy and Vienna Music Institute.
Things to Do in Northwood
Check out different shops, restaurants, and businesses at Northwood Town Center. Introduce kids to music theory or private music lessons at the Irvine Conservatory of Music. Enroll in one of the many community classes like ballroom dancing or sign your kids up for a youth sports team at Northwood Community Center. Let your family’s imaginations run wild at Northwood Community Park, more fondly known as Castle Park, where a cinder block castle surrounds the playground area! Bike or walk the 3.5 miles of Jeffery Open Space Trail, which stretches throughout the city of Irvine. Try unique flavors in Persian and Mediterranean cuisine like Filet Mignon Shish Kabob, Caspian Alfredo, or Hummas Kale Soup at Caspian. Build a tasty shabu bowl with ingredients like Gulf White Shrimp, Toro “fat Belly,” Colorado Lamb, and more from Mokkoji Shabu Shabu. Start with Agedashi Tofu before digging into Zaru Soba, Curry Tonkatsu, Tanuki Udon, and more at Hako. Or grab a tea like the Mango Cha-Cha, Brulee YoYo, or Grapefruit Yakult from YOYO Tea Shoppe.
Q: Is Irvine expensive?
A: Yes, Irvine is considered one of the more expensive cities in Southern California, largely due to its highly ranked schools, low crime rates, and well-planned communities. However, many residents feel the quality of life, safety, and access to top-tier amenities make the cost of living worth it. For those seeking a balance between lifestyle and affordability, some neighborhoods in and around Irvine may offer more budget-friendly options.
Oak Creek
- Home Price: $768,160 median purchase price; $2,646 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 79% of Irvine neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families
Young professionals and families alike thrive in Oak Creek, a safe neighborhood in Irvine with a warm sense of community—and pet-friendly streets featuring Craftsman-style homes. Families have their choice of top-rated public schools like Oak Creek Elementary School, while local college students can attend nearby Irvine Valley College—which offers programs for liberal arts, business, accounting, and more. Residents can also find all kinds of shops, restaurants, and entertainment in and around Oak Creek!
Things to Do in Oak Creek
Book a tee time and try out your swing at Oak Creek Golf Club. Shop for specialty foods like Manassero Candied Green Tomatoes at Manassero Farms. Explore Oak Creek Community Park, which boasts a bustling playground, shady sycamore trees, and access to the Sand Canyon Side Path. Take a walk or bike ride the nearly four miles of the paved Freeway Trail, or enjoy more than seven miles of views on the San Diego Creek Trail. Visit Oak Creek Shopping Center to shop at a variety of stores like Gelson’s Market and Massage Heights. Start your morning with an Egg and Cheddar Panini, Eggs Benedict, or Croque Madame at Mustard Cafe. Fill up on Empanadas, Criolla Soup, Fish Chorrillana, and more at Inkas. Chow down on seafood favorites like Mahi-mahi, Grilled White Fish Tacos, or a Thai Shrimp Bowl at OC Fish Grill. Or choose from Salmon Aburi Yuzu, Kaisen Salad, or White Fish Carpaccio at Taiko Japanese Restaurant.
Q: Is Irvine the safest city in California?
A: Irvine is a safe city, especially for its size, but it isn’t the top-rated city for safety in the state. Rancho Santa Margarita, Imperial, and Moorpark are currently considered the safest cities in the Golden State. However, Irvine is still within the top 20 safest cities in California!
University Park
- Home Price: $732,950 median purchase price; $2,697 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Irvine neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
University Park may be located close to the bustling University of California-Irvine and Concordia University Irvine, but this neighborhood is quieter than you may think! University Park is surrounded by green space, with the Turtle Rock Nature Center and Sand Canyon Wash Loop Trail, as well as the University Trail, which stretches the length of William R. Mason Regional Park. In addition, as one of the safest neighborhoods in Irvine, University Park offers access to amazing schools in the award-winning Irvine Unified School District!
Things to Do in University Park
Tour Tanaka Farms, where you can take home a pumpkin in the fall, pick strawberries in the spring, or view the Hikari Festival of Lights in the winter. Take the kids to Adventure Playground to play in a treehouse, sensory garden, and fort zone. Check out neighborhood camps and classes like Butterfly Ballerinas, skateboarding, and private tennis lessons at the University Community Center. Visit University Park Library, an Orange County Public Library, for story time events, college preparation, and volunteer opportunities. Order a handcrafted donut like the Whipped Cream Filled, Chocolate Glazed, or Glazed Twist at Mag’s Donuts. Get authentic Vietnamese cuisines like Rare Steak Pho, Special Combo Pho, Brisket Pho, and more at PhoTasia. Devour Korean dishes like Spicy Pork BBQ Rice, Shrimp Tempura Crunch Roll, and Beef Ramen at Kpop Sushi. Or bite into Burrito Los Cabos, Sonora Fish Taco, or a Mexican Chicken Salad at Tacos & Co.
Q: Is Irvine a good place to live?
A: Yes! Besides the safety of Irvine’s neighborhoods, it’s also a great place to find a job and offers highly-rated schools for kids. Sunny all year long, Irvine comes with tons of opportunities for outdoor recreation, family-friendly activities, and much more!
Westpark
- Home Price: $815,446 median purchase price; $2,768 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 54% of Irvine neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
If you’re looking for a quiet, clean, and safe neighborhood, Westpark is a great place to settle down! With plenty of hiking and walking trails nearby, including the multi-season Harvard Side Path, the neighborhood is set up well for residents to enjoy the California outdoors. Community events like the Veterans Day ceremony at 42-acre Bill Barber Park also bring residents together throughout the year. There are other things to do in Westpark, too, like shopping at Crossroads Shopping Mall or Westpark Plaza!
Things to Do in Westpark
Join an adult or youth recreation ice hockey league or practice your skills at The Rinks Irvine Inline. Brighten up your home, backyard, or landscape with drought-tolerant plants like agave, aloe, and haworthia from OC Succulents. See a show at the amphitheater or stroll through the gardens of Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, which also features athletic fields, recreation areas, and playgrounds for kids. Make a playdate and bring the kiddos to Plaza Neighborhood Park, which sports a tractor slide and a pretend farmer’s market! Order breakfast dishes like an All American Scrambler, Commuter Croissant, or a Fresh Berry & Yogurt Parfait from the Corner Bakery Cafe. Try Indian cuisines like Andhra Chicken Curry, Gongura, Avakai Biryani, and more at Southern Spice. Pick up a Chili Glazed Grilled Tofu Bowl, Surf and Turf Plate, or a Grilled Grass Fed Steak Sandwich at Urban Plates. And don’t forget to hop on over to THE CUT for handcrafted dishes like Poutine, the Bougie Bird Sandwich, and Truffle & Brie Burger.
Q: Is Irvine more expensive than Los Angeles?
A: While the average cost of living in Irvine is higher than the California average, Irvine and Los Angeles have similar overall costs of living. The average cost of rent and home prices in Irvine tend to be higher, while Los Angeles may have greater variability in housing costs depending on the neighborhood. That said, many people find Irvine’s master-planned communities, top-rated schools, and low crime rates worth the higher price tag.
Woodbridge
- Home Price: $745,050 median purchase price; $2,641 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Irvine neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Named for the wooden bridges crossing the community’s North and South Lakes, Woodbridge is a safe, quiet neighborhood in Irvine that’s great for families. Home to a community garden, multiple parks, and athletic fields, Woodbridge offers several areas for outdoor activities and events. Additionally, Woodbridge is home to exceptional schools, including Eastshore Elementary School, Lakeside Middle School, and Woodbridge High School—which offers 26 individual AP courses.
Things to Do in Woodbridge
Head over to the residents-only North Lake Beach Club and enjoy the barbecue area, sand volleyball pit, or the lake’s walking path. Sign up for a class in drawing, watercolor, or oil painting at Mission: Renaissance. Spend a day at Woodbridge Village Center, which offers a playground, music studio, movie theater, and more. Check out a variety of businesses, eateries, and shops at Alton Square. Join the Needle Arts Club, The Village Book Club, or any of the other Woodbridge Village Association Clubs. Drink a Triple Berry Mimosa while eating breakfast dishes like Farmhouse Breakfast Tacos, Cinnamon Roll French Toast, or Florentine Benedict at Mimi’s Cafe. Find Philly cheesesteak sandwiches like the Pizza Steak Philly, Buffalo Chicken Steak, or American Hoagie at Philly’s Best. Create your own Korean hot pot with ingredients like Pork Belly, Lamb, American Style Wagyu Beef Galbi Eye, and more at dPot! Or enjoy a Grapefruit Green Tea, White Peach Creamomo, or Oreo Brulee Green Milk Tea at Omomo Tea Shoppe.
Q: How far is Irvine from Los Angeles?
A: Irvine is approximately 40 to 45 miles from Los Angeles, depending on your starting point. The drive typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour via I-5 or I-405, though traffic during peak hours can extend that time. Irvine’s proximity to Los Angeles makes it a convenient option for commuters, day trips, or anyone who wants access to the city while enjoying a quieter, suburban lifestyle.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks, are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
