What to Know Before Moving to Costa Mesa

Lively and filled with an endless list of amazing amenities, Costa Mesa is a beautiful community that provides an outstanding quality of life!

Attractions and Amenities

Emblematic of that classic SoCal lifestyle, Costa Mesa does not disappoint with all the fun things to do here! Along with being super close to stunning beaches and coastline, as well as the City of Angels, the city boasts an impressive array of attractions and amenities. You can definitely enjoy yourself without having to cross city limits. From the South Coast Plaza Mall to acclaimed restaurants and shopping to spirited nightlife, you’ll need something for everyone. Enjoy performing arts? Segerstrom Center for the Arts is one of the most popular places to visit here. If theater is more your vibe, definitely check out South Coast Repertory Theater. And for those into nature, Fairview Park offers 208 acres of pristine outdoor recreation.

Walkscore Info

This is Southern California, which isn’t known for its walkability. Many parts of the region require a car to just perform basic errands, but that’s not the case in Costa Mesa. With a pretty decent walkability score (64/100), the city affords its residents the ability to move around more easily. The most walkable area is Mesa North. However, when it comes to public transit, it’s less than ideal. If you need to travel across town, you’ll probably need a vehicle. However, the city does offer a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle called the HeART of Costa Mesa that links riders with downtown attractions, as well as limited bus service. Love to ride your bicycle? Though there’s room for improvement, Costa Mesa does offer more bikeability than surrounding areas.

Lifestyle

Vibrant and highly livable, Costa Mesa is a beautiful community under the California sun. Residents enjoy an amazing SoCal lifestyle here, complete with breathtaking weather, beach escapades (Huntington State Beach and Newport Beach are close by), and more attractions & opportunities than you could possibly imagine. Education is also excellent here, whether you have kids or are looking into higher education options for yourself. Overall, the city is famous for its love of art, sophistication, and style!

Economy and Jobs

From sales to education to the arts, Costa Mesa provides a wide variety of jobs and careers. One of the biggest employers in the area is the Walt Disney Company, which is a dream come true for many Disney lovers. Are you an educator? Costa Mesa Schools and the University of California – Irvine are stellar places to work. As for medical professionals, check out Kaiser Permanente and St. Joseph Health.

Best Neighborhoods

Offering everything from welcoming neighbors to endless amenities to close proximity to the beach, Costa Mesa has a number of phenomenal neighborhoods that you can easily call home. South Coast Metro, located in the northern portion of the city (and considered the #1 neighborhood here), features amazing shopping and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. East Side Costa Mesa offers a beautiful variety of homes, from contemporary to Spanish style. The Westside is an up-and-coming area that was formerly an industrial center. As one of the first planned communities in Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde offers a ton of amenities. Last but not least, Central Costa Mesa is home to City Hall and the biggest businesses in the city.