San Juan Capistrano

 

 

Located between the cities of Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and Mission Viejo lies the city of San Juan Capistrano.  This city of 35,000 is one of the older spots in Orange County and you will still find homes that were built prior to 1900 in the area.  Originally built around the San Juan Capistrano Mission the city is know for its spanish style architecture and the cliff swallows when they do this nesting.  

 

For many home buyers who want to live in south Orange County San Juan Capistrano provides and ideal location as you are 20 minutes from all of south OC.  With the average age of residents in the city being 40 you will find many families with kids in the locals schools.  We will talk a little more about the schools in San Juan Capistrano below.

 

 

In 2014 the median price of a single family home in San Juan Capistrano was $750,000 while the average price of a condo or townhome was $466,000.  In the year 2014 there were 291 single family homes sold while there are only 101 condos or townhomes sold.  As you can see there are almost three times as many single family homes in San Juan Capistrano then there are townhomes or condos. 

 

 

San Juan Capistrano isn’t a city with a booming nightlife, so if you are looking for that you might try another area.  What San Juan Capistrano is known for is the Mission and a very traditional older town with a large spanish influence.  If you are living there you will find many great parades and outdoor activities while being 10 minutes to the beach and Dana Point Harbor should you want to get on a boat and go sailing for the day.  

 

 

Education is important anywhere but San Juan Capistrano there are limited public school options.  The Capistrano Unified School District serves the area but you will also find four private college prep schools: Saddleback Valley Christian, St Margaret’s Episcopal, Capistrano Valley Christian and Jserra Catholic High.  You will also find two private K-8 schools: Rancho Capistrano School and Mission Parish School.  Mission is actually located on the mission grounds!